Surface Processes: Soils
How Much Soil Is There?
Karst, Sinkholes, and Human Activity
Liquefaction
When it comes to slipping, sliding, and stability in soils, the key word is “liquefaction.”
During an event like an earthquake, liquefaction is the process by which saturated soil behaves like a liquid. This can be problematic, as a liquid soil loses structure and can cause buildings to sink, foundations to crack, and soil to slide down slopes all at once.
How does the type of soil affect how much a house will sink or shift during an earthquake? Conduct an experiment to test your ideas!
Mapping Your Soil
Measuring Permeabilities of Soil, Sand, and Gravel
Nitrogen Connection
All biological organisms require certain nutrients to live. Plants require carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from air and water, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, chloride, boron, and molybdenum from soil. Animals require a few others. Conversions and transformations of nutrients in the environment result from chemical reactions, biological activity, or both.
Observing Soil Respiration
Materials
Painting With Soil
Soils are one of our most important natural resources — just think of where all the food you eat comes from. They also are important for the beauty the many soil colors add to our landscapes.
Most of us overlook this natural beauty because we see it every day. Often these colors blend with vegetation, sky, water, etc. Soil colors serve as pigments in bricks, pottery and artwork. The color and texture of soil painting is fascinating and a creative opportunity for all ages of students.
Particle Size and Oil Production
Rain and Soil
When it rains, much of the water drains directly into the ground. But why?
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