Compaction Essay
Year 12 Earth Assessment task 3
Soil compaction
http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/library/themes/compaction/- this diagram shows the layout of a compacted soil. As you can see the very top is compacted but the bottom has not been affected yet.
www.eoearth.org – this diagram shows the critical depth for harmful soil compaction in a typical agricultural soil. (Source: Geological Survey of Lower Saxony)
By Emily Pike
Contents......
* Background information..................... * Glossary * What is soil compaction? * What causes soil compaction? * Problems associated with soil compaction. * Infiltration experiment................... * Aim, hypothesis, equipment, method. * Results * Discussion and variables * Conclusion. * Germination experiment/vegetation cover........................ * Aim, hypothesis, equipment, method. * Results * Discussion and variables * Conclusion. * Management strategies........................... * Rural/Agricultural * Urban * References.
Glossary
Aggregates- are soil particles which bind to each other more strongly than to adjacent particles.
Bulk density- a term used to describe the calculation of the dry weight of soil, divided by its volume.
Porosity- is the percentage of air spaces in the soil. The greater the soil porosity, the greater the: aeration, water storage and drainage of the soil.
Tillage- the preparation of land for growing crops and involves the turning over of topsoil using large machinery.
Pore space- spaces between solid soil particles that can be filled with air or water.
Background Information
What is soil compaction?
Soil compaction is the compressing together of soil particles e.g. sand, silt, and clay, which reduces the amount of pore space in the soil and increases the bulk density of the soil. This reduction of pore space and increase in bulk density restricts the movement of air, water and nutrients
Soil compaction
http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/library/themes/compaction/- this diagram shows the layout of a compacted soil. As you can see the very top is compacted but the bottom has not been affected yet.
www.eoearth.org – this diagram shows the critical depth for harmful soil compaction in a typical agricultural soil. (Source: Geological Survey of Lower Saxony)
By Emily Pike
Contents......
* Background information..................... * Glossary * What is soil compaction? * What causes soil compaction? * Problems associated with soil compaction. * Infiltration experiment................... * Aim, hypothesis, equipment, method. * Results * Discussion and variables * Conclusion. * Germination experiment/vegetation cover........................ * Aim, hypothesis, equipment, method. * Results * Discussion and variables * Conclusion. * Management strategies........................... * Rural/Agricultural * Urban * References.
Glossary
Aggregates- are soil particles which bind to each other more strongly than to adjacent particles.
Bulk density- a term used to describe the calculation of the dry weight of soil, divided by its volume.
Porosity- is the percentage of air spaces in the soil. The greater the soil porosity, the greater the: aeration, water storage and drainage of the soil.
Tillage- the preparation of land for growing crops and involves the turning over of topsoil using large machinery.
Pore space- spaces between solid soil particles that can be filled with air or water.
Background Information
What is soil compaction?
Soil compaction is the compressing together of soil particles e.g. sand, silt, and clay, which reduces the amount of pore space in the soil and increases the bulk density of the soil. This reduction of pore space and increase in bulk density restricts the movement of air, water and nutrients
References: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/management/files/sq_utn_2.pdf http://www.lanrpubs.unl.edu/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=148. http://www.cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/215.html#what. http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/service/library/index.php3?docID=394&docHistory%5B%5D=2&DocHistory%5B%5D=412. http://soer.justice.tas.gov.au/2003/lan/2/issue/80/ataglance.php. Department of Primary Industries. (1996-2013). Compaction. Available: http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_compaction. Last accessed 12.5.2013. The University of Minnesota. (2013). Soil Compaction. Available: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/dc3115.html. Last accessed 13.5.2013. Department of Primary Industries. (1994). Protect your soil from compaction. Available: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils/structure/compaction. Last accessed 12.5.2013. Unknown. (2013). Soil Compaction: causes, concerns & cures. Available: http://www.soils.wisc.edu/extension/pubs/A3367.pdf. Last accessed 24.5.2013. Unknown. (1999). APPENDIX 2 - SCHEMATICS FOR. Available: http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/publishedDocs/docs/isc_field_manual_appendix2-5.pdf. Last accessed 25.5.2013