Geology and Soil Formation Quiz

Bogs and Soil Formation

• A raised bog is a self-sustaining ecosystem with peat accumulation, whereas a blanket bog is a peat-covered landscape with no obvious boundaries.
• Two main factors involved in the formation of metamorphic rocks: high pressure and high temperature.

Metamorphic Rocks

• Two examples of metamorphic rocks:
  • Marble (develops from limestone)
  • Slate (develops from shale)

Soil Formation

• Parent material influences soil type through its chemical and physical properties, which affect the soil's fertility and structure.
• Limestone and granite have different effects on soil formation: limestone produces alkaline soils, while granite produces acidic soils.
• To identify limestone as a parent material, look for:
  • High calcium carbonate content
  • Presence of fossilized shells or coral
• Formation of peat bogs in Ireland: cool, wet climate with limited oxygen, resulting in slow decomposition of plant matter.

Rock Types

• Classification of rock types:
  • Quartzite: metamorphic rock
  • Shale: sedimentary rock
  • Basalt: igneous rock

Peat Bogs and Minerals

• Three minerals found in peat bogs in Ireland:
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
• Three minerals present in igneous rocks:
  • Feldspar
  • Quartz
  • Mica

Weathering and Soil Formation

• Weathering of rocks contributes to soil formation through physical and chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller particles.
• Most soils in Ireland are regarded as young due to the country's glacial history, which stripped away old soils and left behind fresh rocks for weathering.

Burren, Clare

• The Burren, Clare is characterized by the presence of limestone, a type of sedimentary rock.
• A chemical process that aids in the weathering of limestone is carbonation, where CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which dissolves the limestone.
• One feature of soil formed from limestone is its high pH level.

Soil Development

• Three differences between soils developed under coniferous forest and grassland:
  • Coniferous forest soils tend to be more acidic and have a thicker humus layer
  • Grassland soils tend to be more alkaline and have a thinner humus layer
  • Coniferous forest soils may have a higher concentration of nutrients
• Three factors that influence soil formation:
  • Parent Material: affects soil chemistry and structure
  • Topography: affects soil drainage, erosion, and deposition
  • Living Organisms: affect soil fertility, structure, and nutrient cycling