SOIL

Presented by: Bhavika, Riddhi,

Roopal, Tanu, Kanika
WHAT IS SOIL?

– Soil, the biologically active, porous medium that has developed in the
uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. Soil is one of the principal substrata of life on
Earth, serving as a reservoir of water and nutrients, as a medium for the
filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes, and as a participant in the cycling
of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem. It has evolved
through weathering processes driven by biological, climatic, geologic, and
topographic influences.
HOW IS SOIL FORMED?

– Soil is the thin layer of material covering the earth’s surface and
is formed from the weathering of rocks. It is made up mainly of
mineral particles, organic materials, air, water and living
organisms—all of which interact slowly yet constantly.

– Most plants get their nutrients from the soil and they are the
main source of food for humans, animals and birds. Therefore,
most living things on land depend on soil for their existence.

– Soil is a valuable resource that needs to be carefully managed as

it is easily damaged, washed or blown away. If we understand
soil and manage it properly, we will avoid destroying one of the
essential building blocks of our environment and our food
security.
WHAT MAKES SOIL FERTILE?

– Fertile soil will contain all of the major nutrients needed for basic plant nutrition (such as nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium), as well as other nutrients in smaller amounts (e.g., calcium,
magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, nickel). Adding an adequate amount of
such nutrients through organic manure and chemical fertilizers can make the soil fertile.
– Fertile soil will usually contain some organic matter, which increases soil structure, moisture
retention, and nutrient retention, as well as a pH of 6 to 7. Soil fertility can be increased further by
using cover crops that add organic matter to the soil, improving soil structure and promoting a
stable, fertile soil; or by using green manure or growing legumes that fix nitrogen from the air
through the biological nitrogen fixation process.
– Micro-dose fertiliser applications to replenish losses due to plant absorption and other processes,
and enhanced water and nutrient application to minimise losses due to leaching below the crop
rooting zone. Further soil fertility can be managed by some nuclear and isotopic techniques.
 SOIL POLLUTION

– All soils, whether polluted or unpolluted, contain a variety of compounds

(contaminants) which are naturally present. Such contaminants include
metals, inorganic ions and salts (e.g. phosphates, carbonates, sulfates,
nitrates), and many organic compounds (such as lipids, proteins, DNA, fatty
acids, hydrocarbons, PAHs, alcohols, etc.). These compounds are mainly
formed through soil microbial activity and decomposition of organisms (e.g.,
plants and animals). Additionally, various compounds get into the soil from
the atmosphere, for instance with precipitation water, as well as by wind
activity or other types of soil disturbances, and from surface water bodies and
shallow groundwater flowing through the soil. When the amounts of soil
contaminants exceed natural levels (what is naturally present in various soils),
pollution is generated. There are two main causes through which soil
pollution is generated: anthropogenic (man-made) causes and natural causes.
EFFECT OF SOIL POLLUTION

– Soil pollution affects plants, animals and humans alike. While anyone is
susceptible to soil pollution, soil pollution effects may vary based on age,
general health status and other factors, such as the type of pollutant or
contaminant inhaled or ingested. However, children are usually more
susceptible to exposure to contaminants, because they come in close contact
with the soil by playing in the ground; combined with lower thresholds for
disease, this triggers higher risks than for adults. Therefore, it is always
important to test the soil before allowing your kids to play there, especially if
you live in a highly industrialized area.
 SOIL PROFILE

O-Horizon: The O-Horizon soil has organic materials like dried leaves, small rocks, fallen trees, and other
organic matter that can be decomposed. It has about 20 to 30 percent of organic matter in it. The colour of
the soil is generally black brown and dark brown due to the existence of organic matter.
A-Horizon: The A-Horizon Layer consists of organic material and is famously called a humus layer. It is the
uppermost layer of the soil that consists of dark decomposed matter, known as humus. Humus provides
nutrients to the soil, therefore, making the soil more fertile. It also maintains the soil’s life. Since it increases
soil’s water holding capacity, this layer is soft and can retain more water than any other layer. Many living
organisms are present in this layer, for example, beetles, worms etc.
E-Horizon: The letter E denotes the master horizon, which is subsurface to all the layers of soil. It is present
only in the forested regions. The colour of the soil is light. The letter E means eluviated horizon. The
movement of the dissolved particles from the A- Horizon takes place here.
B-Horizon: B-Horizon is also known as subsoil because of its presence below the topsoil. It is the layer of soil
that absorbs all the rainwater that flows through the topsoil. It accumulates the rain for further usage. It has
humus but in lesser quantity than the A- horizon, organic matter, and soluble minerals. Since this layer
contains large amounts of minerals, this layer is generally hard and compact.
TYPES OF SOIL

– The soil texture varies due to the presence of different sizes of rock particles.
On the basis of the size particles, the soil can be classified into three types-
Clayey soil, Loamy soil and Sandy soil.
SOIL EROSION

The removal of the top layer of soil is called Soil erosion. The
agents which contribute to the removal of soil are water, wind
and ice. As the roots of the plant bind the soil firmly, when the
plant is not there, the roots are not there to bind the soil and
hence, the soil becomes loose. The soil is then easily removed by
the agents. Soil erosion is most common in areas of less
vegetation or zero vegetation.
How to Prevent Soil Erosion?
The most significant way to prevent soil erosion is to minimize
deforestation. Plant more trees so that the roots of the plant can
bind the soil and prevent the soil from eroding.
SOIL MOISTURE

– The water tenacity in the soil is called the soil moisture. The relevance of this
coil moisture helps the plant extract the necessary minerals from the soil to
grow. The soil absorbs water through various factors and also forms in the
formation of the soil. When the water precipitates, it accumulates on the
surface. The soil particles distributed on the surface helps to determine the
porous nature of the soil. It helps in the vertical flow of the water to the regions
below the surface. It is also called infiltration.