Soil Analysis Pre-lab

Soil Analysis Pre-Lab

Soil Analysis Lab Which ions will be dissolved when soil is mixed with water? How do the amounts of these ions vary in soils from different locations? How does the pH of the soils vary with different locations? How can the pH be altered? 

Ionic Compounds and Soil      

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Soil is made up of weathered rock particles, clay and decaying organic material called humus When you place soil in a cup, the rock and clay sink and the humus floats Ionic compounds from the soil dissolve in the water and form a solution Some of these dissolved ions contain elements that a healthy plant needs Nitrogen (N) from ammonium (NH4+) • Plants need to make chlorophyll

Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) from phosphate (PO43- ) and potassium ion (K+) • Plants need these to survive as well

The type of particles that make up soil affect the ion levels

• Opposites attract • Humus and clay are negatively charged • What ion levels would be high in soil that is high in humus

and clay?

pH and Soil pH affects how easily plants can obtain nutrients from the soil  If pH is too high or too low, then ionic compounds will not be able to dissolve as easily in water and will not be available to plants  Most plants require a soil pH between 6 and 7  pH of soil can be altered by adding an the acid vinegar or a base such as limestone. 

Pre-Lab Assignment 

Research the role nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ions play in plants • Show how these ions form from the ionic compounds they are derived



from • Show the atomic orbital diagrams of these ions

Research how acids and bases affect soil

• Show what would happen if an acid was present in soil, show   



dissociation of water and what the ions will do to the levels of Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus levels

Predict what types of soils will have high and low ion concentrations Predict where soil with high and low pH maybe found Research wetlands

• What is a wetland • What type of plants are found in in wetlands? • What factors affect soil and water pH and nutrients in wetlands?

Outline how you would conduct an experiment testing the nutrient levels in different types of soil and the pH levels of different types of soils. • Make a hypothesis/es • Determine variables (control, constant, independent, dependent) • Material and procedures