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1 RESEARCH TITLE
3 Samar, Jeffren1, Sebastian, Emilio2, Sehawanlop, Michaela2
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5 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila
8 ABSTRACT
9 Soil characterization plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. This
10 will help determine the texture, color, rocks, and different elements. These different
11 characteristics help in determining the function of ecosystem along with its biotic and abiotic
12 factors. The paper aims to determine the particle size distribution in a soil profile. The first
13 method known as “Bottle Shaking” method was used to determine the composition of soil into
14 sand, silt, and clay. The different kinds of soil were placed in different level inside a container.
15 Sand, silt, and clay were placed in 60mm, 14mm, and 87mm with a percentage of 68.965%,
16 16.092%, and 16.092% respectively. The second method used was the “sieve analysis”
17 method. The sieve was divided into four layers and provide details on the maximum size
18 particles of the sample. Sand, silt, and clay yielded with a percentage of 58.904%, 37.151%,
19 and 3.945% respectively. Determining the quantity or amount of soil particles present from a soil
20 samples enables the researcher to induce hypotheses on how the soil can contribute or destroy
21 a system it serves. Concluding this, soil has different properties which makes it an integral part
22 of the ecosystem development on Earth.
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24 Keywords: Ecosystem, Soil characterization, Soil texture
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
27 INTRODUCTION
28 Soil characterization is required in the determination of the nature and contamination of
29 soils. It can be characterized through its color, texture, roots, and other important elements
30 within the soil. These visible characteristics will help other ecologists to evaluate the areal
31 distribution of contamination across land surface and suggest recommendations for soil which
32 has a tremendous impact on the ecosystem (Morris et. al., 2010).
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34 Since soil is characterized with different elements, it should determine what kind of
35 plants are suitable for growth. Depth characterization provides a key parameter in determining
36 whether a soil contains contaminants. In the agricultural aspect, there is an increasing demand
37 of soil as
38 means to produce food (Fasina et al 2007). The necessary information to create functional
39 schemes will unravel some catastrophic problems in the ecosystem like drought or flooding as it
40 will affect the quality and texture of the soil.
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42 Soil health is the foundation of a healthy farming practices or even in gardening. This will
43 provide the necessary nutrients in plants and other living organisms (Doron, 1994). The main
44 objective of the study is: 1) to identify the soil profile in a soil characterization site with its particle
45 size distribution and 2) to determine the particle size distribution of the given soil profile.
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
46 MATERIALS AND METHODS
47 Different methods were utilized to determine the different soil textures and soil profile
48 characterization of the soil samples collected. The “Bottle Shaking” method was one way used
49 to determine the amount of soil layer sample within a collected amount of soil. This method
50 involves the use of a large water bottle/ container, approximately ¼ to ½ of the container for the
51 soil sample, water and a measuring instrument, typically a ruler. The soil was placed inside the
52 container until it reached a good amount to be utilized for analysis which is followed by the
53 addition of water. The container was shaken for five minutes and was left to sit for one minute.
54 Within one minute, most of the sand in the soil sample settled at the bottom of the container. It
55 was then left to settle for a good hour to let the silt sample rest atop of the sand sample. Finally,
56 the container was left for a whole day for the clay sample to collect above the silt layer.
57 Measurements were recorded and soil particle percentages were computed to be analyzed for
58 the soil texture analysis.
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60 Another method was utilized for the soil analysis namely, the Sieve analysis. This type of
61 analysis is used to quantify the amount of different soil particles present in a collected soil
62 sample. This method involved the use of a metal pans of a sieve set to separate the different
63 soil particles of the sample. Approximately 100 grams of soil was used for the analysis. Initially,
64 the soil was poured onto the sieve set and was shaken for about five minutes intervals for about
65 five to six times. The different soil particles were collected from the different sieve pans and
66 were labeled as sand 1, sand 2, silt, and clay. The soil particles were then placed on a paper
67 boat then were weighed using a triple-beam balance. Percentages were then calculated for the
68 soil texture analysis.
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
69 The soil texture triangle was utilized with the help of the percentages acquired from the
70 different methods used for the soil analysis. For this analysis, soil texture is utilized where it is
71 referred to as the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay present in the soil sample. Inferences
72 were made after the use of the triangle and result may present information about the soil
73 whether it is good soil for a specific environment. The soil texture has different effects on the
74 strength, permeability and porosity of the soil.
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76 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
77 The gathered data on the amount of soil particles present from the bottle shaking
78 method is as follows:
79 Table 1. Percentage of present soil particles from bottle shaking method
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Bottle Shaking Method
Soil Particle present Height in Container (mm) Percentage (%)
Sand 60 mm 68.965%
Silt 14 mm 16.092%
Clay 13 mm 14.943%
Total = 87 mm 100%
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82 Table 1 infers that there is about 69% sand present in the collected soil sample. Sand
83 provides excellent aeration and drainage, but it typically erodes easily (Stack, 2011). As stated
84 in the article, having too much sand in the soil may pose problems to the growth of plants.
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
85
86 Figure 1. Soil texture characterization of bottle shaking method.
87 Figure 1 infers that the collected sample for the soil particle analysis using the bottle
88 shaking method resulted with a sandy loam description based on the soil texture triangle.
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90 Another method was the sieve analysis where metal pans with present sieves allows the
91 passage of soil particles from one pan to another. This allows the separation of the different soil
92 particles including debris and some organic materials. The recorded data from the triple-beam
93 balance is as follows:
94 Table 2. Percentage of present soil particles from sieve analysis method
Sieve Analysis Method
Soil Particle Mass of soil particles (g) Percentage (%)
Sand 1 45.65 g
58.904%
Sand 2 8.1 g
Silt 33.9 g 37.151%
Clay 3.6 g 3.945%
Total = 91.25 g 100%
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
95 In reference to Table 2, it can be inferred that the collected soil sample for the sieve
96 analysis method resulted with a high sand content (58.904%), average silt content (37.151%)
97 and a very low clay content (3.945%). It can be interpreted that the soil has about the same
98 properties of loam soil, just having a higher sand content. This type of soil tends to have a
99 higher moisture content except loam soil since there is abundant space for ventilation,
100 respiration and hydration of possible plant species grown in the soil (De Wiggen et. al., 1995).
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102 Figure 2. Soil texture triangle characterization for sieve analysis of soil sample
103 Figure 2 provides the soil texture characterization of the soil sample collected that
104 undergone the sieve analysis method. Following the rules in inferring soil particles present, it
105 resulted as a sandy loam soil. Based on an article written by Thompson, D. (2018), sandy loam
106 soil can be characterized as soil that can be easily molded but can also be easily be taken
107 apart. This type of soil easily warms during the summer period and requires constant irrigation
108 due to its sandy nature. It also usually lacks macronutrients to sustain plants which may need
109 additional fertilization for the plants.
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UST College of Science Department of Biological Sciences
110 CONCLUSION
111 There are different ways in analyzing soil properties. Proceeding with its processes,
112 respective data can be acquired immediately which allows the follow up of data analysis.
113 Determining the quantity or amount of soil particles present from a soil samples enables the
114 researcher to induce hypotheses on how the soil can contribute or destroy a system it serves.
115 From the two methods utilized for the analysis, weight, soil type, density and porosity used for
116 the initial measurements can help determine its quality with a set criterion used as basis for
117 inference. Calculations for the base percentage of each soil type help serve as the basis for the
118 inference of the overall soil type the sample is with the utilization of the soil texture triangle.
119 Additionally, methods of soil analysis provide data on the characteristics of soil and its
120 usefulness in the environment and to have proper identification of other related properties such
121 as porosity, aeration, and irrigation. Finally, by having several properties, soil is an integral part
122 of the ecosystem making it a primary aspect in the development of flora and fauna on Earth.
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123 REFERENCES
124 Doran, J. W., et al. Defining Soil Quality for a Sustainable Environment. Madison, Wis.: Soil
125 Science Society of America, 1994.
126 Fasina, A.S., Omolayo, F.A., Ajayi, SO., and Falodun, A.A. (2007). Influence of Land Use on
127 Soil Properties in Three Mapping Units in Southwestern Nigeria-Implications for Sustainable
128 Soil Management. In Uyovbisere, E.O, Raji, B.A, Yusuf, A.A, Ogunwale, J.O, Aliyu, L. and
129 Ojeniyi, S.O (Eds). Soil and water management for poverty alleviation and sustainable
130 Environment Proceedings of the 31st annual conf. of SSSN/ABU Zaria Nig. Nov. 13th to
131 17th, 2006. FAO. (1969). Soil and Water Resources Survey of the Sokoto Valley, Nigeria.
132 Final Report, Vol. 5. FAO/SF, Rome
133 Morris, Michael W.; Comeau, Aimee; Ammons, John T.; Blair, Ryan; Lu, Changsheng; and
134 Roberts, Caroline (2010) "A Comparison of Three Soil Characterization Methods on a Soil
135 Formed in Sandy Glacial Outwash," Proceedings of the Annual International Conference
136 on Soils, Sediments, Water and Energy: Vol. 15, Article 28
137 Stack, L. B. (2011). Soil and Plant Nutrition: A Gardener’s Perspective. Cooperative Extension:
138 Garden & Yard. Retrieved from https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/manual/soils/soil-
139 and-plant-nutrition/
140 Thompson, D. (2018). Characteristics of Sandy Loam Soil. Home Guides. SF Gate. Retrieved
141 from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/characteristics-sandy-loam-soil-50765.html
