Summary
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Abstract
What variables contribute to the properties of the soil in an area? Investigate the role of climate, weather, topography, time, parent material, vegetation, and biological and chemical agents on soil formation. How are soils characterized? There are 3 basic particle sizes which create three basic soil types: sand, silt, and clay. Investigate the properties of the three different types of soil by observing grain size, shape, hardness, color, chemical composition, pore space, aeration, moisture content and permeability. How can soil management affect soil quality? Characterize the different horizons in the soil in a deep pit or by using the auger method. For more information, see: Get Down and Dirty: How Does Soil Change with Depth?
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Careers
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Career Profile
Not all dirt is created equal. In fact, different types of soil can make a big difference in some very important areas of our society. A building constructed on sandy soil might collapse during an earthquake, and crops planted in soil that doesn't drain properly might become waterlogged and rot after a rainstorm. It is the job of a soil scientist to evaluate soil conditions and help farmers, builders, and environmentalists decide how best to take advantage of local soils.
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Career Profile
Soil and water are two of Earth's most important natural resources. Earth would not be able to sustain life without nutritive soil to grow food and clean water to drink. Soil and water conservationists foster the science and art of natural resource conservation. The scientists work to discover, develop, implement, and constantly improve ways to use land that sustains its productive capacity, and enhances the environment at the same time. Soil and water conservationists are involved in improving…
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Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"Soil Structure." Science Buddies,
28 July 2017,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Geo_p034/geology/soil-structure.
Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2017, July 28).
Soil Structure.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Geo_p034/geology/soil-structure
Last edit date: 2017-07-28
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