environmental_resources_lab_report

04.02 Environmental Resources Lab Report Instructions: For this lab, use the lab report to record your information. You will submit your completed lab report. Note: If you cannot complete this lab as directed, please contact your instructor for assistance. Name and Title: Jake Begines Catherine Pons 2/26/24 Include your name, instructor's name, and date. Introduction To improve your soil, you should first know what you’re starting with. In this lab, you will sample local soil to determine its composition and pH range. Materials  Distilled water  Metric ruler  Small zipper storage bag  Soil from the yard, garden, or other local source  Jar with tightly fitting lid (tall and skinny would be best)  Small digging tool  pH strips (available at hardware and pool supply stores) or vinegar and baking soda Pre-lab Questions 1. Describe soil particles (sand, silt, and clay) in term of size and texture. The size of the soil that I have is a smaller grain of dirt and is a bit clumpy because it has been raining. 2. If soil is too acidic, what substance is usually added? If soil is too alkaline, what substance is usually added? If soil is too acidic, limestone is usually added. On the other hand, if soil is too alkaline, substances like sulfur or aluminum sulfate are added to increase acidity. 3. Why are soil composition and pH important to know? It can affect how a plant grows or survives. Hypothesis Predict what type of soil you think is in your local area (mostly sand, silt, clay, or mixed) and if it more acidic, more alkaline, or neutral. I think the soil in my area is more sandy and more neutral. Procedure

Obtaining soil samples for your jar and resealable bag 1. Take your jar, resealable bag, and digging tool into your garden or yard. Use the digging tool to dig a hole 3–6 inches deep. Take your soil sample from the soil at this depth. 2. Place approximately one cup of soil into the resealable bag, squeeze the air out of the bag, and zip it shut (you will use this soil later in the lab). 3. Dig up additional soil and fill the jar to approximately 1/4 full of soil. Take everything back inside to your work area. Note: To avoid making a mess, it is best to work on a covered surface (for example, a kitchen counter covered with old newspaper or plastic wrap). 4. Fill the remaining space in the jar with water, and screw the cap on tightly (see Figure 1, below). 5. Shake the jar so that the dirt is totally dispersed through the water (see Figure 2, below). Set down the jar and allow the shaken contents to settle completely (see Figure 3, below). Leave it undisturbed overnight while you test the texture and pH of the soil in your resealable bag. Note: Do not pick up the jar. Doing so will begin to mix the contents again. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Fill jar 3/4 full of water and 1/4 full of soil. With the lid on tightly, shake the jar well until the soil and water have mixed thoroughly. Let the jar sit. Materials will begin to settle out and form layers. Testing texture and pH of the soil in your resealable bag 1. While you wait for the soil and water sample to settle in the jar, you can test the texture of the sample in the resealable bag. First, remove a small amount and moisten it slightly to test the texture. Record your observations in the Data and Observations section. a. Rough and gritty soil that barely sticks together is sand. b. Loams (mixtures of clay, silt, and sand) feel medium-textured. c. Smooth and sticky fine textures indicate clay. 2. Next, test the pH using one of the following methods: a. If you have pH strips : To test with pH strips, place the soil sample in a small bowl or container and add a small amount of distilled water. Add just enough water to make the soil slightly liquid, like a milkshake

Bottom Layer 17cm Sandy color almost brown Conclusion Please answer in 3-5 complete sentences. 1. Describe what the tests told you about your soil samples. The soil that is near me is a very neutral soil 2. How did your results match up with your hypothesis? They matched up very close 3. Based on your results, are there any amendments (changes) you would make to your soil? If so, what would they be? It depends on what I might try to grow in the dirt 4. Based on the chart below, which nutrients are likely present in your soil sample? Testing Method Acidic Neutral Alkaline pH Strip 4.0-5.5 5.5-6.5 6.5-7.5 7.5-8.5 8.5-10.0 Baking Soda and Vinegar more fizz (baking soda) less fizz (baking soda) no fizz less fizz (vinegar) more fizz (vinegar) Iron Manganese Nitrogen Nitrogen Phosphorus Boron Phosphorus Phosphorus Potassium Copper & Zinc Potassium Potassium Sulfur Sulfur Sulfur Boron Calcium Calcium Molybdenum Magnesium Magnesium Molybdenum Molybdenum

Grading Rubric 50 points possible Skilled Agriscientist Developing Agriscientist Novice Agriscientist Pre-lab Questions 15–12 points The student  gave thorough, correct answers that showed a high level of critical thinking  gave answers in his or her own words  used detailed, complete sentences 11–8 points The student  gave thorough, mostly correct answers that showed a moderate level of critical thinking  gave answers in his or her own words  used somewhat detailed, complete sentences 7–0 points The student  gave partly correct or incorrect answers that showed a low level of critical thinking  did not give answers in his or her own words  did not use detailed, complete sentences Hypothesis 5–4 points The student predicted highly reasonable outcomes for the experiment. 3–2 points The student predicted somewhat reasonable outcomes for the experiment. 1–0 points The student did not predict reasonable outcomes for the experiment. Data and Observation s 15–12 points The student recorded complete and thorough d ata and observations for each of the T exture, pH, and Layers sections. 11–8 points The student recorded mostly complete and somewhat thorough data and observations for each of the T exture, pH, and Layers sections . 7–0 points The student recorded minimal data and observations and measurements for each section, or data were incomplete . Conclusion 15–12 points The student did all the following:  formed accurate conclusions based on data  sho wed extended thinking  used detailed, complete sentences 11–8 points The student did most of the following:  formed accurate conclusions based on data  sho wed extended thinking  used detailed, complete sentences 7–0 points The student did not  form accurate conclusions based on data  sho w extended thinking  use detailed, complete sentences