soils

Question 1

weathering

Answer 1

When rock is exposed to air, water, certain chemicals, or biological agents that break down to small pieces

Question 2

erosion

Answer 2

physical removal of rocks by water or wind

Question 3

Detritus

Answer 3

leaves & other plant parts, animal remains, waste products, and other organic debris that falls onto the soil

Question 4

Humus

Answer 4

dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays (source of nitrogen and phosphorus)

Question 5

soil profile

Answer 5

Shows type of soil in region, vertical section of soil, layers

Question 6

soil horizons

Answer 6

O Horizon - humus
A Horizon - topsoil
E Horizon - zone of leaching
B Horizon - subsoil
C Horizon - parent material rock

Question 7

Leaching

Answer 7

loss of soluble substances from the top layer of soil to a lower layer as they are carried downward by water

Question 8

sand

Answer 8

large particles

Question 9

silt

Answer 9

mid particles

Question 10

clay

Answer 10

small particles

Question 11

loam

Answer 11

A mixture of sand, silt, clay

Question 12

Permeability

Answer 12

How quickly soil drains water depending on texture

Question 13

high permeability

Answer 13

cant hold water (loose water)

Question 14

low permeability

Answer 14

holds water (moist)

Question 15

soil Degradation

Answer 15

decline in soil

Question 16

soil Conservation

Answer 16

Protecting soil from degrading