Questions and Answers
What is the primary factor that determines the mineral content of soil?
Parent material
How do forests and grasslands differ in terms of soil properties?
Forests have a higher nutrient holding capacity
What is the role of topography in soil erosion?
Topography influences the flow of water and the likelihood of soil erosion
What is the primary factor that determines soil pH?
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How does soil texture affect soil drainage?
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What is the significance of soil's nutrient holding capacity?
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What is the primary distinction between soil formation in young soil and old soil?
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What process alters the Earth's surface by erosion and deposition?
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What type of rocks are formed when magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface?
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What type of rocks are formed from compressed sand?
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What is the primary factor that determines the size of crystals in igneous rocks?
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What type of soil is found in bogs?
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What is the parent material of peat?
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What is the process that forms quartzite?
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What is the difference between sedimentary and metamorphic rocks?
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What is the name of the process that forms marble?
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What is the result of freeze-thaw action on rocks?
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What is the main difference between granite and basalt?
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Study Notes
Soil Formation
- Soil is the top layer of the earth's surface.
- Soil is composed of weathered rock and organic matter.
Importance of Soil in Agriculture
- Soil provides nutrients and water to plants.
- Soil supports plant growth and development.
- Soil filters and regulates the water cycle.
- Soil stores and releases carbon dioxide.
Soils in Ireland
- Irish soils are formed from weathered rock and glacial drift.
- These soils are young, formed approximately 1000 years ago after the last ice age.
- Glaciation is the alteration of the earth's surface by a glacier through erosion and deposition.
Parent Rock
- Igneous rocks are formed from cooled magma, resulting in crystals of minerals.
- Slow cooling = large crystals (e.g., granite).
- Fast cooling = small crystals (e.g., basalt).
- Sedimentary rocks are formed from compressed and cemented mineral and organic particles.
- Examples: sandstone, shale, and limestone.
- Metamorphic rocks are formed from altered igneous or sedimentary rocks under high pressure and temperature.
- Examples: quartzite, gneiss, slate, greenstone, and marble.
Weathering
- Weathering is the chemical breaking down of rocks.
- Types of weathering:
- Freeze-thaw action.
- Chemical weathering.
- Biological weathering.
Organic Parent Material - Peat/Bog
- Peat is a type of soil formed from the remains of dead plants and animals.
- Peat formation occurs in bogs due to:
- Low oxygen levels.
- Acidic conditions.
- Cold temperatures.
- Types of bogs:
- Basin bog.
- Blanket bog.
- Raised bog.
Soil Formation Factors
- Parent material determines soil texture, pH, and drainage.
- Climate affects soil formation and development.
- Topography influences soil erosion and deposition.
- Vegetation affects soil formation and fertility.
Soil Characteristics
- Young soils have high levels of parent material available for soil formation and fertility comes from rock minerals and organic matter.
- Old soils have limited parent material available and fertility comes from organic matter.
- Soil texture, pH, and drainage affect soil fertility and plant growth.
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