SCI207 - Lab Report PDF

Preview

Summary

Lab Report...

Description

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

1

Properties of Soil: Agriculture and Water Availability Impacts Laboratory XXXXXX SCI 207: Our Dependence Upon the Environment XXXXXX XXXXXX, 2020

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

2

Properties of Soil: Agriculture and Water Availability Impacts Laboratory

This week's laboratory topic is to help with a better understanding of the properties of soil. "It is important to understand the profile and chemical composition of soil to understand how they affect agricultural and water availability" (Carolina Distance Learning). We will learn how agriculture and water availability impacts the communities in which we reside. What I found would be interesting is that soil is a dynamic natural body having properties derived from the combined effects of the biotic (relating to or resulting from living things) and climate activities. Scientists should have a global understanding of texture as it is key to agricultural growth or decline; the percentage of sand, silt, and clay found in the soil will play a role in the results. Knowledge of the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash levels of land is essential to help maintain healthy plant life.

The objective of this week's laboratory is to show how different the land types can differ from one another. The results will explain the reasons why individual plants will flourish, and others will not. Water is powerful, almost an unstoppable force. Clay soil has small pores and attracts water more strongly than sandy soil with large pores but transmits it more slowly. Soil is a medium that stores and moves water; "Water is held in soil in two ways: as a thin coating on the outside of soil particles and in the pore spaces. Soil water in the pore spaces can be divided into two different forms: gravitational water and capillary water" (Soil, Water, and Plant Characteristics Important to Irrigation). Lastly, there are tests needed to determine the acidity in the soil for productive growth as there may be harmful materials that will affect the growth of plant life.

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

3

In Activity One, as I tested for particle size distribution to determine the soil texture, I predicted there to be 55 percent sand, 35 percent silt, and 10 percent clay. I live in the Pine Barrens, and my soil is very sandy. In Activity Two, I predicted while testing the porosity of different Soils such as "Sand," "Clay," and "Soil Sample A; the sand will have faster water flow. I believe this to be true because the sand is said to have a higher penetration rate. In Activity Three, I have Soil Sample A from my back yard and Soil Sample B from my neighbors’ vegetable garden. When testing for the pH comparison of Soil Sample A and Soil Sample B, I hypothesize that my soil may have more of an acidity level than my neighbors because it was from a garden where he successfully grows vegetables. In Activity Four, when testing for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash, these are Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the main components of soil fertilizer. Therefore, they will be low if the acidity levels are high.

Materials: Bag of Clay 1/2 c

Sheet of white Paper

Soil Tester kit (rapitest)

2 Soil samples

Test tube rack

Distilled water

3 Test Tubes

Tap water

3 Plastic tubes

Liquid hand soap

Graduated cylinder, 10ml

Tool for digging

Graduated cylinder, 100ml

Scissors

2 Pipets

Cell phone (pics/timer)

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

4

Ruler

2 jars or cans. 16oz or less

Plastic Cup Cheesecloth 3 Rubber bands 6 Twist Ties Permanent Marker --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Activity One: (Step One) -Dressed appropriately for the hands-on lab, gloves, goggles, etc. (precaution is eminent) - After retrieving three (3) test tubs, I labeled them "sand," "clay," and "soil" (one sample for each). - Then filled each tube halfway with the Sample A soil taken from my backyard. - I then filled the three test tubes with water approximately 1cm below the top. - Finally, I added a drop of liquid hand soap. - Lastly, all three (3) vials were shaken for 30 seconds each and put to rest overnight in the test tube rack. Activity One: (Step Two) - I returned to complete Activity One with a sheet of paper I took a picture of the progress. - Doing my best, I identified the layer types in Soil Sample A; I used a ruler to measure each layer and recorded the measurements on the Lab Worksheet. Activity Two -Dressed appropriately for the hands-on lab, gloves, goggles, etc. - Collecting the remaining "sand," "clay," and "Soil Sample A" and preparing for use. - I retrieved the cheesecloth and proceeded with the scissors to cut two 3cm squares and secured them over one end of the plastic tubes with a rubber band.

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

5

- I measured and marked the plastic tube 4cm up from the bottom end with the cheesecloth attached. - I then proceed to take one of the three samples from Activity One and dumped it onto a paper towel crushing any lumps and removing any rocks. - The tube was then filled up to the 4cm mark made. - I used two twist ties as a holder on the top of the test tube; I was then able to suspend the tube into the 100ml graduated cylinder. - grabbing the 10ml graduated cylinder; filling it with tap water. - I started to pour the water into the tube resting in the 100ml cylinder while beginning the timer and stopping it once the first drop of water emerged from the column. - I repeated these steps with the remaining samples and recorded the times on the Lab Worksheet. Activity Three - Dressed appropriately for the hands-on lab, gloves, goggles, etc. - I put in front of me the Soil Sample A (first collection) and collected another Soil Sample labeled B. - I opened the (rapitest) Soil Tester Kit and removed the capsules from their vials. - I filled the vial with Soil Sample A up to the first line. - Carefully, I proceeded to open the green capsule and pour its contents into the vial on top of the soil. - I continued to add distilled water up to the fourth line, as indicated in the instruction. - I shook the vial for approximately 20 seconds and allowed the soil to settle for approximately one minute. - Lastly, I compared the vial to that of the pH Chart located on the back of the Soil Tester package. - I repeated these steps with Soil Sample B and recorded the alkalinity on the Lab Worksheet.

Activity Four: (Step One)

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

6

- Dressed appropriately for the hands-on lab, gloves, goggles, etc. - I put in front of me the Soil Sample A (first collection) and (second collected) Soil Sample B. - I measured 1/4 cup of soil from each sample and poured them into two separate jars labeled Sample A and Sample B. - I proceeded to measure out five (5) parts water to the one (1) part soil and added it to each jar. - Lastly, I thoroughly swirled the water and soil for approximately one minute each, then set them aside for 24 hours. In Activity Four: (Step Two) - I returned to complete Activity Four - I retrieved the remaining three (3) vials from the Soil Tester Kit (rapitest) and removed the capsules from all vials (they are colored, but keep yourself organized) - Using a pipet, I filled each vial with (up to the fourth line) with the liquid above the soil from Soil Sample A - I then carefully opened one by one of each color capsule and poured them into each vial. Making sure I covered them with the appropriate color lid. - Once the vials were capped, I shook them for about 20 seconds each and let stand for ten (10) minutes. - Using the plant food chart located on the back of the Soil test kit package, I was able to record the results of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash by holding each vial up matching them to the closest color. - I repeated these steps with Soil Sample B and recorded the results of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash.

Data Table 1. Particle Size Distribution and Soil Type

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

7

Data Table 2. Determination of Soil Porosity

Data Table 3. pH Comparison of Soil Samples

Data Table 4. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash Comparison in Soil Samples

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

8

I learned it is vital to understand the properties of soil. There is one thing to assume, but to know the features of land is another. A known fact, there are more microorganisms in a handful of soil then there are people in the world. Even though the soil is the foundation of a successful garden is most likely overlooked more times than not. I accept my hypotheses for all activities performed. My results show Soil Sample A has a higher percentage of sand; water flows quicker through sand than clay or soil sample A. I have concluded within the results after testing two different soil samples; soil sample B has a lower acidity pH than soil sample A; therefore, proving the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash are all very low. In all honesty, I was shocked to learn soil is a living system and acts as a filter (filtering out pollutants). Soil or ground is required to withstand the combined effects of the biotic (relating to or resulting from living things) and climate activities. Then, humans, the land is cultivated and compacted, not making it easy to stay healthy. "Soil is composed of weathered

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

9

rock and organic matter, water, and air" (Organic Garden Soil). Soil relies on the organisms, small animals, worms, insects, and microbes to flourish when other soil elements are in balance. With proper management, some physical characteristics of soils can be changed for the better. You are going to laugh, and I did have a moment of panic. As I was entering and measuring my test tubes, the cat jumped up onto the counter and decided to swat the test tube rack over. The water was all over my paper, but I was able to get the final measurement. Other than that, I did enjoy the Laboratory this week. If I had to do it all over again, I would have started a day early. I did not read ahead, and Activity Four required approximately 24 hours for the mixture to settle. Based on what I learned in this lab, my thought would be, what areas of my backyard would be best to planta vegetable garden. Is there one area better than another? If so, is this because one area gets more sun than the other? Or, is it because it has been touched less than others? I would have to test all parts of my backyard to answer my questions.

Running head: PROPERTIES OF SOIL

10

Reference:

Carolina Distance Learning. (n.d.). Properties of Soil: Agricultural and Water Availability Impacts manual [PDF]. Retrieved from https://ashford.instructure.com

Organic Garden Soil: Use Organic Compost +more | Gardeners.com. https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/building-healthy-soil/5060.html Soil, Water and Plant Characteristics Important to Irrigation https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/soil-water-and-plant-characteristicsimportant-to-irrigation...