What is Soil? 
Why Study Soils?

You need to know :   

  1. The Definition of Soil
  2. Materials from which Soil Derives

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 Minerals

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 Organic Matter
  1. Study Soils?

What is Soil? Prof. Francek's Definition of Soil: A naturally occurring surface layer composed of inorganic (mineral) material,                                  , water, and                                                           and capable of supporting life.

Factors influencing soil health and quality animation.

Prof. Valek's definition:   

What is the Composition of Soil? 
1) Mineral Soils The volume of a typical soil contains      % inorganic matter,    % water,    % air, and  %  organic matter

The solid component is either primary or secondary minerals. Primary: minerals formed directly from lava or magma, examples:                                                                                                     

secondary minerals:          clay minerals, oxides and carbonates                                                                                        

What is a mineral?  inorganic  substances having regular properties of shape, structure, color, and hardness.

2) Organic Soils Why is organic matter important?  (3)



Source: Creative Marketeam Canada Ltd.

                         

Humus: partially decomposed plant matter. 

Why are Soils Important?

 

Animated GIF of Dust Contamination in Florida


                                                           Source: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 

SAHARA DUST CONTAMINATION IN FLORIDA: “Satellites can track African dust clouds as they migrate across the Atlantic Ocean. This NASA TOMS aerosol movie, [visible in this news article] which spans the interval June 13 through 21, 2001, shows such a cloud raining  bits of the Sahara Desert over the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Composition Image: Creative Marketeam Canada Ltd. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/222/93184, accessed 14 January 2004.