Lecture 9

Question 1

weathering of rock and mineral material and a decomposition of organic matter

Answer 1

destructive process

Question 2

Clay mineral and organic matter formation, soil horizon development

Answer 2

Synthetic processes

Question 3

layer of soil parallel to surface that differs in properties and characteristics from adjacent layers above and below it.

Answer 3

Soil horizon

Question 4

contain materials washed down from the A horizon through illuviation

Answer 4

B horizon

Question 5

Unweathered parent material

Answer 5

c horizon

Question 6

Soil component: 3 phase system

Answer 6

1. ) solids - 50%
2. ) liquids - 25%
3. ) gases - 25%

Question 7

What is a mineral

Answer 7

A solid crystalline material with definite chemical and physical characteristics like colour and hardness

Question 8

Rocks are divided in 3 groups based on how they were formed

Answer 8

1. ) Igneous
2. ) Sedimentary
3. ) Metamorphic

Question 9

How is an Igneous rock formed?

Answer 9

From cooling of magma

Question 10

How is a sedimentary rock formed?

Answer 10

Loose sediment compacted and entered together

Question 11

How is a metamorphic rock formed?

Answer 11

Under high temperature and high pressure, other rocks change their from into new rock.

Question 12

Weathering: Mechanical

Answer 12

Process that break a rock into smaller pieces without altering its chemical composition

Question 13

Weathering: Biogeochemical

Answer 13

Process that change the chemical composition or rocks and minerals.

Question 14

Process of biogeochemical weathering

Answer 14

1. ) dissolution
2. ) Oxidation
3. ) Hydrolysis

Question 15

Biogeochemical weathering - Dissolution

Answer 15

Minerals are dissolved in water; acids accelerate this process.

Question 16

Biogeochemical weathering - Oxidation

Answer 16

Reaction of rock minerals with oxygen

Question 17

Biogeochemical weathering - Hydrolysis

Answer 17

minerals are altered with water; chemical composition and size of minerals altered, making them less resistant to weathering

Question 18

Which ecosystem will exhibit the most rapid chemical weathering?

Answer 18

Amazon rainforest. (Lots of rainfall and organisms).

Question 19

Particle size is considered a?

Answer 19

Stable property of soil

Question 20

Particle size: Sand

Answer 20

2.0-0.05 mm

Question 21

Particle size: Silt

Answer 21

0.05-0.002mm

Question 22

Particle size: Clay

Answer 22

<0.002mm

Question 23

Why is soil texture important?

Answer 23

1.) water-holding capacity. 2.) Permeability.
3.) Soil workability.
4.) Vegetation growth
and distribution

Question 24

Hand texture: Sand

Answer 24

gritty

Question 25

Hand texture: Silt

Answer 25

slippery - soapy

Question 26

Hand texture: Clay

Answer 26

Sticky

Question 27

Why is negative charge so important?

Answer 27

Gives clay extra holding capacity.