Soils I

1. Why is soil important?

3. Nutrients can cycle without the presence of soil

1. Crucial to food and fiber supply
2. Critical to clean drinking water (soils filter water physically and via bacteria - ie. septic)
3. Necessary for nutrient cycling
4. Needed for organic waste decay (for plants to have nutrition, they have to be able to break down waste)
5. Needed to prevent flooding

1. Soil is only important for planting flowers

2. Soil has no impact on water quality

2. What is denitrification?

Denitrification is the process of adding nitrate to the soil to increase plant growth.

Burning of fossil fuels releases nitrate into the soil.

Bacteria get rid of nitrate in soil. nitrate is a plant nutrient. can run-ogg and pollute and lead to extra plant growth. floods naturally move nutrients from waterbed to soil

Denitrification is the process by which plants convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

Denitrification involves the removal of nitrate from the soil by bacteria, not the addition of nitrate. Burning fossil fuels is unrelated to denitrification, as it releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Plants do not convert nitrates into nitrogen gas through denitrification.

Explanation

Denitrification involves the removal of nitrate from the soil by bacteria, not the addition of nitrate. Burning fossil fuels is unrelated to denitrification, as it releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Plants do not convert nitrates into nitrogen gas through denitrification.

3. Which parts of the soil are most likely to be blown away?

Water and air - essential components of soil that do not contribute to erosion.

Sand and silt - the larger particles of soil that are more stable.

Rocks and gravel - the solid components of soil that are not easily eroded.

Humus and clay-the most fertile parts of soil

The correct answer highlights that humus and clay are the most fertile parts of soil, making them more vulnerable to being blown away. Sand and silt, rocks and gravel, and water and air are less likely to be eroded as easily as humus and clay.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights that humus and clay are the most fertile parts of soil, making them more vulnerable to being blown away. Sand and silt, rocks and gravel, and water and air are less likely to be eroded as easily as humus and clay.

4. How is soil connected to the environment?

Soil is only connected to the atmosphere.

Soil has no connection to the environment.

Soil is not a system in isolation - it is conencted to hydrosphere, lithosphere, etc.

Soil connections are limited to the biosphere.

Soil plays a critical role in the ecosystem and is interconnected with various environmental systems such as the hydrosphere and lithosphere. It is not an isolated system and influences and is influenced by various elements in the environment.

Explanation

Soil plays a critical role in the ecosystem and is interconnected with various environmental systems such as the hydrosphere and lithosphere. It is not an isolated system and influences and is influenced by various elements in the environment.

5. What is soil?

Soil is a type of sedimentary rock.

The earth consists of solid part (core, mantle and crust), surrounded by atmosphere. soil in the thin "weathered" crust of our planet. Soils are created by the effects of climate and living organisms acting upon geologic parent materials over long periods of time...giving each soil a "unique" set of properties

Soil is a man-made substance.

Soil is made up of rocks and minerals.

Soil is not just rocks and minerals, but a complex combination of weathered materials, organic matter, air, water, and living organisms that vary in composition and properties.

Explanation

Soil is not just rocks and minerals, but a complex combination of weathered materials, organic matter, air, water, and living organisms that vary in composition and properties.

6. What is the definition of soil?

Soil is composed solely of organic matter with no mineral particles.

Soil is the same as dirt, just a different term for it.

Soil is a type of rock formation found below the Earth's crust.

Soil is the naturally occurring, fragmented, porous, and relatively loose assemblage of mineral particles and organic matter that covers the surface of our planet's terrestrial biomes

Soil is a complex mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, and living organisms that provides the medium for plant growth and sustains nearly all terrestrial life.

Explanation

Soil is a complex mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, and living organisms that provides the medium for plant growth and sustains nearly all terrestrial life.

7. What are the main factors that make one soil different from another?

Color, texture, pH levels

Soil age, human interference, altitude

Location, time of year, soil additives

Different parent materials, different plant communities, effect of water table (huge!), climate

Soil composition is influenced by a variety of factors such as parent materials, plant communities, water table effects, and climate. While color, texture, and pH levels play a role in soil characteristics, they are not the main factors that differentiate one soil from another.

Explanation

Soil composition is influenced by a variety of factors such as parent materials, plant communities, water table effects, and climate. While color, texture, and pH levels play a role in soil characteristics, they are not the main factors that differentiate one soil from another.

8. How can soil color patterns be used to identify the water table?

Soil color patterns indicate the pH level of the soil.

Soil color patterns can predict future weather patterns.

Soil color patterns are unrelated to the water table.

Soil color patterns are used to ID water table

Soil color patterns can be a reliable indicator of the water table as different soil colors can indicate the presence or absence of water at different depths.

Explanation

Soil color patterns can be a reliable indicator of the water table as different soil colors can indicate the presence or absence of water at different depths.

9. How do climate, soil, and microbes interact in an ecosystem?

Climate has a huge effect on types of soils in landscapes, which degines microbes and other organisms in that area

Soil composition has no influence on the microbial populations in an ecosystem.

Microbes are solely responsible for determining the climate in a particular area.

Climate has no impact on the types of soils found in landscapes.

Climate, soil, and microbes are closely interconnected in an ecosystem. Climate influences soil formation, which in turn affects the types of microbes and other organisms that can thrive in that environment.

Explanation

Climate, soil, and microbes are closely interconnected in an ecosystem. Climate influences soil formation, which in turn affects the types of microbes and other organisms that can thrive in that environment.

10. Where did most of the parent material in NE come from? NE and glaciers overview

Last period of glaciation covered NE approcimately 18th years ago. glacial retreat occurred about 10 to 12th years ago. glaical debris caused a variety of post-glacial environments even though all of MA was covered by glacier. When ice retreats melt>speed moving forward. Basal till beneath ice sheet was plastered by weight of 2 mile sheet. outwash is from the melt water. finest particles ended up in lake bottoms, like glacial lake hitchcock. mt sugarloaf was an island on the lake.

The parent material in NE primarily came from volcanic activity in the region

The parent material in NE is predominantly from oceanic deposits and not related to glaciers

The parent material in NE was primarily brought in by wind erosion from neighboring states

Glacial activity and retreat in NE were key factors in shaping the region's landscape and providing the parent material for the terrain. This process has significantly influenced the geology and geography of the area.

Explanation

Glacial activity and retreat in NE were key factors in shaping the region's landscape and providing the parent material for the terrain. This process has significantly influenced the geology and geography of the area.

11. What is the primary mineral in soil that gives it its color?

Mg

Cu

Fe is one of the primary minterals in soil. Oxidation of iron. as oxidizes more, soil gets darker. Under anaerobic conditions, microbes make Fe turn blue/gray

Al

Soil color is primarily determined by the presence and oxidation state of iron. While copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and aluminum (Al) can also be present in soil, they do not play as significant a role in determining soil color as iron (Fe) does.

Explanation

Soil color is primarily determined by the presence and oxidation state of iron. While copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and aluminum (Al) can also be present in soil, they do not play as significant a role in determining soil color as iron (Fe) does.

12. What is a common characteristic of wetlands?

Lack of vegetation in wetlands

Low biodiversity in wetlands

Increased presence of pollutants in wetlands

High amount of organic matter in wetlands

Wetlands are characterized by a high amount of organic matter, which contributes to the unique and diverse ecosystems found in these areas. The presence of organic material like dead plants and algae help support a wide range of plant and animal species that depend on wetlands for habitat and resources.

Explanation

Wetlands are characterized by a high amount of organic matter, which contributes to the unique and diverse ecosystems found in these areas. The presence of organic material like dead plants and algae help support a wide range of plant and animal species that depend on wetlands for habitat and resources.

13. How is soil more than dirt?

Although soil is primarily made of solid mineral particles, a healthy topsoil should include about 5% organic material. between solid particles (both mineral and organic) are open spaces, called pore spaces

Soil is just another term for dirt.

Soil and dirt are the same thing.

Soil is only composed of mineral particles with no organic material.

Soil is more than dirt because it contains a mixture of solid mineral particles and organic material, along with pore spaces, which provide a suitable environment for plant growth.

Explanation

Soil is more than dirt because it contains a mixture of solid mineral particles and organic material, along with pore spaces, which provide a suitable environment for plant growth.

14. What is the significance of pore space in soil?

Pore space in soil primarily consists of air and does not affect water retention.

Pore space in soil remains consistent and does not impact plant growth.

Pore space in soil is irrelevant for plant roots and does not contribute to soil health.

The content of soil pore space is constantly changing. after a soaking rain storm, all pores may be filled with water and no air. as soil dries, air gradually replaces water in the pore space. air and water in pore space composition changes all the time. smaller pores hold more tightly to water so water moves more slowly. from a root's point of view, it is the pore space that matters most. look at water holding capacity (ability to store water, provides aeration/oxygen for roots). the amount of pores in soil also matters along with size because determines how well the soil can drain away excess water but still retain sufficient moisture for plant growth

The correct answer highlights the importance of pore space in soil for water retention, aeration, and overall soil health.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights the importance of pore space in soil for water retention, aeration, and overall soil health.

15. What is aeration?

The practice of compacting soil to increase nutrient retention

The process of adding carbon dioxide to soil for plant growth

The ability of the soil to exchange oxygen and maintain adequate oxygen levels. water-logged soils and compacted soils have poor aeration

The method of removing excess water from soil to prevent flooding

Aeration refers to the exchange of oxygen in soil, not the addition of carbon dioxide or removal of water. Compacting soil actually reduces aeration, leading to poor oxygen levels.

Explanation

Aeration refers to the exchange of oxygen in soil, not the addition of carbon dioxide or removal of water. Compacting soil actually reduces aeration, leading to poor oxygen levels.

16. How do plants increase soil fertility and store nutrients?

Nutrients are stored in the stems of the plants for future use.

Root hairs absorb nutrients from the soil solution. nutrients must be in dissolved form for the plants to use them

Plants absorb nutrients directly through their leaves.

Soil fertility is maintained by the presence of rocks and minerals in the soil.

Plants primarily absorb nutrients through their root hairs from the soil solution in dissolved form, which then contributes to soil fertility and nutrient storage.

Explanation

Plants primarily absorb nutrients through their root hairs from the soil solution in dissolved form, which then contributes to soil fertility and nutrient storage.

17. What is the role of soil in recycling?

Soil has no role in recycling processes.

Only a few organisms inhabit soil, and they do not play a significant role in recycling.

100s of organisms (some microscopic and others visible to the unaided eye) inhabit every teaspoon of topsoil. these critters break down and consume dead organic materials in teh soil and neturn nutrients to soil for reuse

Soil contributes to pollution instead of recycling.

Soil plays a crucial role in recycling by hosting hundreds of organisms that break down and recycle dead organic materials, returning nutrients to the soil for reuse.

Explanation

Soil plays a crucial role in recycling by hosting hundreds of organisms that break down and recycle dead organic materials, returning nutrients to the soil for reuse.

18. How do humans rely on soil?

1. cropland - soil is worked and crops are planted, cared for and harvested. maximum disturbance.
2. grazing land - pasture (planted) and rangeland (natural). a large concern in arid regions
3. forests and forestry - extremely small amount of soil erosion - unless clear-cutting practices used
4. waste disposal (we use soil for solid waste garbage disposal sewage disposal where semi-liquid wastewater is filtered by soils in septic systems, and biosolids (like sewage sludge and industrial composts which are applied to land and/or mixed into the soil as fertilizers)
5. building materials-ie. sod, brick, adobe, etc.

3. Humans rely on soil for communication networks.

1. Humans rely on soil for transportation purposes.

2. Humans rely on soil for generating electricity.

Soil is primarily used for agricultural purposes, waste disposal, construction, and forestry activities. It is not a significant factor in transportation, electricity generation, or communication infrastructure.

Explanation

Soil is primarily used for agricultural purposes, waste disposal, construction, and forestry activities. It is not a significant factor in transportation, electricity generation, or communication infrastructure.