Soil Texture and Structure Lab
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English
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Apr 3, 2024
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4
Uploaded by ProfJellyfishPerson4981
ENVI 1401-
Section 2009
Soil Texture and Structure Lab
Answer Sheet- 100 pts
Lab Sheet 1
Sedimentation (Jar) Test
This is a group activity, but the lab report should be completed and submitted
individually.
●
Show your calculations and place your answers on the soil texture percentages in
the table. Don’t forget the units.
(30 pts)
Soil Texture Particle
Depth Measurement (in or
cm)
Percent of Total
Sand
3cm
100%
Silt
0cm
0%
Clay
0cm
0%
Total Solids Depth
3cm
100%
1.
Use the soil textural triangle to determine your soil classification (e.g., clay loam,
silt loam, sandy clay, etc.). Apply your calculation results, to draw on the triangle
and determine the soil type. Write your soil type in the designated box below. If
you cannot directly draw on the triangle in the answer sheet, print it, draw
manually, showing your percentages and the soil type, take a picture, and submit
it separately.
Place your soil texture in the box
(20 Pts)
Sand
Lab Sheet 2
Ribbon Test
After performing the ribbon experiment, use the
Ribbon Test diagram
below
to determine your soil texture category (e.g., clay loam, silt loam, sandy clay,
etc.). Please show your drawings on the diagram helping you to find out the soil
type. If you cannot directly draw on the diagram in the answer sheet, print it,
draw manually, show your soil type, take a picture, and submit it separately.
Ribbon Test Diagram:
Place your soil texture in the box (15
pts)
Clay Loam
●
Compare the result from the jar test and ribbon test. Did you get the same soil
texture? Which test do you think is more accurate to determine the soil type?
Why? What are the possible errors in these two tests?
(10 pts)
Comparing the results of the ribbon and jar tests, showed various textures.
The
ribbon analysis provides the largest potential for error since the soil sample could
be excessively wet or even too dry, which would prevent the test from working
correctly and provide false data. It is also possible to perform the test's physical
ribbon section incorrectly, which would impact the precise measurement of the
ribbon's length. The measurements in the jar test might be taken incorrectly,
jeopardizing the test's reliability and the data it yields— Because it's a much more
thorough and precise method, I think utilizing the jar test would be the most
accurate technique to determine soil texture. During the Jar Test, there is a
chance to become lost and make mistakes, but there is also much more guidance
and dependence on data rather than our own fingers and force.
●
Based on the soil type that you have determined, what characteristics do you
expect this soil to have? What would the permeability, infiltration, aeration, and
water/nutrient retention of this soil? Do you think this is good soil to grow plants
in it? Why? (
25 pts)
I expect that the soil sample my group identified would have very minimal water
and nutrient retention, high permeability, decent aeration, and average
infiltration.
I don't think this soil is suitable for growing plants since it lacks
stability/structure and has a poor ability to retain moisture, which makes it
extremely hard for plants to thrive.
●
Take pictures of the jar test on day 1 and day 2, the ribbon test and your soil
ribbon showing the length of the ribbon if you could make any.
(optional)
Extra Credit Activity:
Put the results of the
unknown sample’s
jar test here and determine the soil
structure using the triangle. You need to show on the triangle how you find out your
soil type.
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Soil Texture
Particle
Depth Measurement
(in or cm)
Percent of Total
Sand
1.5 cm
68%
Silt
0.2 cm
9%
Clay
0.5 cm
23%
Total Solids Depth
2.2 cm
100%
Place the unknown soil texture in the box
(5 pts)
Sandy Clay Loam
●
What is the unknown sample’s texture? How is the infiltration and the nutrient
retention for this sample?
(5 pts)
The unknown sample has sandy clay loam texture. It has a moderate penetration rate
but a very low nutrient retention because of its sandy properties. In other words, the
soil is not ideal for plant growth.