Discussion of Lab Activities

Lab Activity #1

Objective of Laboratory Activity #1 This exercise allows you to familiarize yourselves with studying soil profiles and designating soil horizons/layers. This exercise allows you to familiarize yourselves with studying soil profiles and designating soil horizons/layers.

How to complete Lab Activity #1 Separate each profile into 3 major horizons on the basis of color. Separate each profile into 3 major horizons on the basis of color. Find the depth and thickness of each of the three horizons in the series description Find the depth and thickness of each of the three horizons in the series description Describe the color or colors of each horizon. Use colors such as red, yellow, brown, black, and gray. Describe the color or colors of each horizon. Use colors such as red, yellow, brown, black, and gray.

Lab Activity #1 – Cecil Soil Series First, let’s look at the soil profile of the Cecil soil series. First, let’s look at the soil profile of the Cecil soil series. Do we see differences in color? Do we see differences in color? Try to separate out 3 horizons or layers. Try to separate out 3 horizons or layers.

Cecil Soil Series

Horizon Depths & Letter Designations Now that we’ve separated out the 3 horizons, let’s put a depth to each layer. Now that we’ve separated out the 3 horizons, let’s put a depth to each layer. Sometimes this is difficult because we may have a wavy boundary between horizons, such as with the Cecil soil series. Sometimes this is difficult because we may have a wavy boundary between horizons, such as with the Cecil soil series. Therefore, we record the depths by using the tape as a guide. Therefore, we record the depths by using the tape as a guide.

Cecil Soil Series The first layer goes from 0-6 inches. The first layer goes from 0-6 inches. The second layer goes from 6-14 inches. The second layer goes from 6-14 inches. The third layer goes from inches. The third layer goes from inches. 1 st layer 2 nd layer 3 rd layer

Horizon Designations Using your knowledge of master horizon designations, label the 3 horizons. Using your knowledge of master horizon designations, label the 3 horizons. The top layer is a dark brown color and would appropriately be designated as the A horizon. The top layer is a dark brown color and would appropriately be designated as the A horizon.

Horizon Designations The second horizon is a whiter color than the top and bottom horizons and looks “leached”. The second horizon is a whiter color than the top and bottom horizons and looks “leached”. Therefore, we would call the second layer an E horizon. Therefore, we would call the second layer an E horizon. The third horizon looks to be accumulating material, so we would designate this as a B horizon. The third horizon looks to be accumulating material, so we would designate this as a B horizon.

Cecil Soil Series A E B

Soil Series Let’s go to the official soil series description and double-check our horizon designations. Let’s go to the official soil series description and double-check our horizon designations. Here are the horizon designations from the soil series: Here are the horizon designations from the soil series: Ap--0 to 8 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) sandy loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (2 to 8 inches thick) Ap--0 to 8 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) sandy loam; weak medium granular structure; very friable; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (2 to 8 inches thick) Bt1--8 to 26 inches; red (10R 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; sticky, plastic; common clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt1--8 to 26 inches; red (10R 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; sticky, plastic; common clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2--26 to 42 inches; red (10R 4/8) clay; few fine prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; sticky, plastic; common clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bt horizon is 24 to 50 inches) Bt2--26 to 42 inches; red (10R 4/8) clay; few fine prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; sticky, plastic; common clay films on faces of peds; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bt horizon is 24 to 50 inches) BC--42 to 50 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay loam; few distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 10 inches thick) BC--42 to 50 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay loam; few distinct yellowish red (5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 10 inches thick) C--50 to 80 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) loam saprolite; common medium distinct pale yellow (2.5Y 7/4) and common distinct brown (7.5YR 5/4) mottles; massive; very friable; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid. C--50 to 80 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) loam saprolite; common medium distinct pale yellow (2.5Y 7/4) and common distinct brown (7.5YR 5/4) mottles; massive; very friable; few fine flakes of mica; very strongly acid.

Soil Horizons Although the official soil series description does not show an “E” horizon, we can tell from the picture that we do, in fact, have a leached layer. Although the official soil series description does not show an “E” horizon, we can tell from the picture that we do, in fact, have a leached layer.

Color Now look at the colors of the 3 layers and fill out the table in your lab. Now look at the colors of the 3 layers and fill out the table in your lab. It should look like this: It should look like this: HorizonDepthColor 1. A 0-6” Dark brown 2. E 6-14”White 3. B ” Reddish brown

Lab Activity #2

Objective of Laboratory Activity #2 This exercise allows you to use your knowledge of the 5 soil forming factors to determine differences between soils. This exercise allows you to use your knowledge of the 5 soil forming factors to determine differences between soils.

How to complete Lab Activity #2 Use the official series description to compare differences in soil forming factors among the given series. Use the official series description to compare differences in soil forming factors among the given series. In the tables, the soil forming factors are listed in the left column. In the tables, the soil forming factors are listed in the left column. For each factor, decide whether differences occur between the listed soil series. For each factor, decide whether differences occur between the listed soil series. If no differences occur, write “no differences" in the middle column. If no differences occur, write “no differences" in the middle column. In the right hand column, identify how the differences in each soil forming factor affected the properties of the two soil series. In the right hand column, identify how the differences in each soil forming factor affected the properties of the two soil series.

Lab Activity #2 Let’s first visually compare the 2 soils that we are studying. Let’s first visually compare the 2 soils that we are studying. NorfolkCecil

Parent Material If we go to the official soil series descriptions for both soils, we see that Norfolk soils occur in “marine deposits or fluviomarine deposits” (listed next to Parent Material) and Cecil soils “formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands” (in the first paragraph of the description). If we go to the official soil series descriptions for both soils, we see that Norfolk soils occur in “marine deposits or fluviomarine deposits” (listed next to Parent Material) and Cecil soils “formed in residuum weathered from felsic, igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Piedmont uplands” (in the first paragraph of the description). There is a difference between the parent materials. There is a difference between the parent materials.

Parent Material We can see that there is a color difference but there is also a difference in texture due to the different parent materials (read through the rest of the soil series description). We can see that there is a color difference but there is also a difference in texture due to the different parent materials (read through the rest of the soil series description). NorfolkCecil

Climate Norfolk Soil Series: Norfolk Soil Series: Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 62 degrees F. Mean Annual Air Temperature (type location): 62 degrees F. Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 49 inches Mean Annual Precipitation (type location): 49 inches Cecil Soil Series: Cecil Soil Series: Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F near the type location. Mean annual precipitation is 48 inches and mean annual temperature is 59 degrees F near the type location. Is there a difference? No, not really.

Biotic Activity Biotic activity is not specifically discussed in the soil series descriptions, therefore, we must look at the “big picture”. Biotic activity is not specifically discussed in the soil series descriptions, therefore, we must look at the “big picture”. The climates for the soils are relatively similar so will we have similar biotic activity? The climates for the soils are relatively similar so will we have similar biotic activity? Most likely, yes. Most likely, yes.

Topography - Slope Norfolk Soil Series: Norfolk Soil Series: Slope: 0 to 10 percent Slope: 0 to 10 percent Cecil Soil Series: Cecil Soil Series: Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. Is there a difference? Yes, slightly. What is the difference? Let’s look.

Topography - Slope We can see that there is a color and difference in thickness in the A horizon. We can see that there is a color and difference in thickness in the A horizon. The A horizon of the Norfolk (slope 0-10) is more well- developed than the Cecil soil (slope 0-25). The A horizon of the Norfolk (slope 0-10) is more well- developed than the Cecil soil (slope 0-25). NorfolkCecil

Topography – Landscape Position Norfolk Soil Series: Norfolk Soil Series: Landscape: Lower, middle, or upper coastal plain. Landscape: Lower, middle, or upper coastal plain. Landform: Uplands or marine terraces Landform: Uplands or marine terraces Geomorphic Component: Interfluve, side slopes Geomorphic Component: Interfluve, side slopes Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, backslopes Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, backslopes Cecil Soil Series: Cecil Soil Series: The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. The Cecil series consists of very deep, well drained moderately permeable soils on ridges and side slopes of the Piedmont uplands. Is there a difference? No, not really, both occur on the side slopes.

Time Time is not explicitly discussed, so we must look at all of the clues given. Time is not explicitly discussed, so we must look at all of the clues given. Norfolk occurs in the lower, middle, or upper coastal plain. Norfolk occurs in the lower, middle, or upper coastal plain. Cecil soils occur in the Piedmont uplands. Cecil soils occur in the Piedmont uplands. Which is older? Soils near the coast or soils in the Piedmont region? Which is older? Soils near the coast or soils in the Piedmont region? Soils in the coast are younger and soils in the Piedmont are older. Soils in the coast are younger and soils in the Piedmont are older.

Time We can see that there is a color difference between the soils and the Cecil soil series (older) has more layers, including a leached E horizon. We can see that there is a color difference between the soils and the Cecil soil series (older) has more layers, including a leached E horizon. NorfolkCecil

Soil Forming Factor DifferencesNorfolk/Cecil Observable Difference Parent Material marine sediments/ residual rock Sandy/clayeycolor Climate 62 °&49”/59°&48” No Difference N/A Biotic Activity Similar climates No Difference N/A Slope0-10%/0-25% Depths and colors of A horizons Landscape Position Side Slopes No Difference N/A Time Coastal Plain/Piedmont Younger/older Less development in Norfolk (color & horizons)

Now, you can try the rest. Good Luck!!