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Environmental Soil Chemistry-Assignment 1

The document is an assignment for the Environmental Soil Chemistry course, consisting of multiple-choice and essay questions related to soil components, texture, structure, nutrient management, and environmental impacts. It covers topics such as cation exchange capacity, nutrient adsorption, and the consequences of excessive nutrient loading. The assignment aims to assess students' understanding of soil chemistry and sustainable practices in agriculture.

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26 views2 pages

Environmental Soil Chemistry-Assignment 1

The document is an assignment for the Environmental Soil Chemistry course, consisting of multiple-choice and essay questions related to soil components, texture, structure, nutrient management, and environmental impacts. It covers topics such as cation exchange capacity, nutrient adsorption, and the consequences of excessive nutrient loading. The assignment aims to assess students' understanding of soil chemistry and sustainable practices in agriculture.

Uploaded by

rh4krjgsnp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Environmental Soil Chemistry-ESTU 317

Assignment #1

Name________________________________ ID ____________________ Date _____________________

Multiple-choice questions: shade the letter that best answers each question.

1. What are the four main components of soil?


A) Sand, silt, clay, and rock
B) Minerals, organic matter, air, and water
C) Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium
D) Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

2. Which soil texture retains the most water?


A) Sand
B) Silt
C) Clay
D) Loamy soil

3. What is the role of organic matter in soil structure?


A) It provides nutrients but does not affect structure
B) It acts as glue, holding soil particles together into aggregates
C) It increases soil erosion
D) It makes soil dry and hard

4. Which of the following is NOT a macronutrient needed by plants?


A) Nitrogen (N)
B) Potassium (K)
C) Zinc (Zn)
D) Phosphorus (P)

5. Why is nitrate (NO₃⁻) more likely to be lost from soil compared to phosphate (PO₄³⁻)?
A) Nitrate is not adsorbed by soil particles and leaches easily
B) Phosphate evaporates into the air
C) Plants do not absorb nitrate
D) Nitrate reacts to form solid minerals in the soil

6. What does Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) measure?


A) The ability of soil to retain water
B) The total amount of cations that soil can hold
C) The speed at which soil particles settle
D) The weight of nutrients in the soil

7. What happens when too many nutrients are added to the soil?
A) They stay in the soil and improve plant growth
B) They can leach into water bodies, causing pollution

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C) They become solid minerals and do not affect the environment
D) They evaporate into the atmosphere

8. Which soil component is most responsible for adsorbing nutrients?


A) Sand
B) Organic matter and clay
C) Water
D) Air

9. What is one method to prevent excessive nutrient loss from soil?


A) Using only organic fertilizers
B) Applying fertilizers without testing soil nutrients
C) Using balanced fertilization and cover crops
D) Increasing irrigation to wash out excess nutrients

10. What is the primary function of soil solution?


A) To hold plant roots in place
B) To provide a medium for plant nutrient absorption
C) To increase soil hardness
D) To prevent water from entering the soil

Part II: Essay Questions


1. Explain the importance of soil texture and structure in determining soil fertility. How do these
properties affect water retention and nutrient availability?

2. Describe how the process of adsorption works in soil. Why are clay and organic matter considered
the best adsorbers of nutrients?

3. Discuss the consequences of excessive nutrient loading in soil. How does it affect both soil health
and the environment?

4. Compare and contrast the behavior of nitrate (NO₃⁻) and phosphate (PO₄³⁻) in soil. Why is nitrate
more prone to leaching, and what strategies can be used to prevent nutrient loss?

5. If you were a farmer aiming for sustainable soil management, what practices would you
implement to maintain soil fertility while minimizing environmental impact? Provide reasons for
your choices.

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