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The practical focuses on analyzing macromorphological characteristics of soil profiles, including soil horizons, texture, and organic matter presence, using various methods and materials. Results from two pits revealed distinct horizons with varying soil colors and textures, with some discrepancies in expected organic matter content. The discussion highlights the implications of soil color and composition in relation to environmental conditions and challenges assumptions about topsoil richness in organic matter.

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4 views

2.0_practical_2[1]

The practical focuses on analyzing macromorphological characteristics of soil profiles, including soil horizons, texture, and organic matter presence, using various methods and materials. Results from two pits revealed distinct horizons with varying soil colors and textures, with some discrepancies in expected organic matter content. The discussion highlights the implications of soil color and composition in relation to environmental conditions and challenges assumptions about topsoil richness in organic matter.

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sphesihletau119
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Name: Sfiso

Surname: Nkabinde
Student number: 43547710
Module code: CSPM 211
Lecturer: DR BS Vilakazi
Abstract:

This practical focuses on the observation and analysis of the macromorphological


characteristics of soil profiles, aiming to understand key features such as soil
horizons, colour, texture, structure, consistence, presence of plant roots, concretions,
nodules, mottles, stonelines, carbonates, organic matter, and sesquioxides. Each
master horizons will be distinguished based on specific depth, colour, texture, and
other field properties. The presence of carbonates will be assessed using a weak 10%
HCL solution leading to effervescence in the presence of carbonates. Organic matter
will be evaluated using H2O2, sesquioxides with sodium dithionite, and the presence
of podzol using NaF. Furthermore, employ the Hand Feel Method to determine soil
texture, considering soil as disperse three-phase system comprising solids, air, and
water. The disperse nature of soil, with each phase existing as small, often
microscopic particles, has significant implications for its physical and chemical
properties. By following specific procedures outlined in the practical, the texture og
the soil will be determined through tactile evaluation.

Introduction:

Soil is classified based on texture, colour, composition, profile, texture, and/or


structure, with each variety of soil forming uniquely. Soil profiles are essential for
understanding the physical, biological, and chemical properties of soil. The goal of
part 1 of the practical was to analyze the morphological properties of soil profiles to
obtain a better understanding of soil in the research region. The hypothesis was that
all master horizons would be defined by distinct depth, colour, texture, and other field
characteristics, and that soil profiles would differ depending on soil types and
topography of the used area of land. Part 2's goal was to accurately forecast the soil
texture based on observable characteristics such soil and stickiness, and then identify
the type of soil after that. The goal of Part 3 was to determine the soil colour utilizing
both dry and moist aggregates from both pits.

Methods and materials used:

Part 1 materials/apparatus included a geological hammer, spade, Munsell book,


hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen chloride, sodium dithionite, take measure, filter paper,
and phenolphthalein. First, a geological hammer and spade were used to change the
aggregates in the soil, which were then tested for soil colour, texture, consistency, and
soil name. A Munsell book was then used to check the brightness, true colour, and
relative purity of both wet and dry soil horizon aggregates in both pots that were
evaluated. As soil can be either rich in organic matter or infertile, hydrogen peroxide
was used to test for the organic matter content in soil, with an organic rich horizon
showing the presence of an effervescence and an organic deficient horizon showing
the absence of effervescence Another chemical was employed to detect the presence
of carbonates, which appear as little white patches on the soil's surface. Part 2
involved testing for texture with water and soil particles. Water had to be poured to
the soil to moisten it; after moistening, knead the soil and check for its properties,
such as whether it forms a sausage or breaks readily, all of which were detailed in the
lecturer's manual book. Finally, for step three, the soil had to be called according to
the colour seen previously, thus with that said, a soil classification book was used to
check for the real name of the soil using the new open system of classification. For
soil depth, a measuring tape was used to measure the overall depth of the horizons.

Results:
For pit A: 2 distinct horizons were observed which were horizon A (topsoil) and
horizon B(subsoil)

For soil colour:


Horizon A - 7.5YR 4/5/, dry
- 5YR 4/4/, moist
Horizon B - 2.5YR 4/5/, dry
- 2.5YR 4/4/, moist

For soil texture:


Horizon A -sandy clay loam soil
Horizon B -sandy loam soil

Presence of organic matter -effervescence was observed so yes organic matter was
present in that soil
Presence of carbonates -no effervescence seemed to be observed, so there we no
carbonates

Soil naming:
Horizon A- Orthic
Horizon B- Red appeal, Hutton (Hu)

Soil depth:
- Soil was measured at an overall depth of 1.5m

Pit B:
- 3 distinct horizons were visible( 1 topsoil horizon, and 2 subsoil horizons)

For soil colour:


First horizon- 5YR 4/6/, dry
- 5YR 3/6/, most
Second horizon- 7.5YR 4/6/, dry
- 7.5YR 4/5/ moist
Third horizon- 7.5YR 5/8/, dry
- 2.5YR 4/3/, moist

For soil texture:


First horizon: Loamy sand soil
Second horizon: Sandy clay loan soil
Third horizon: Sandy clay

Soil naming:
First horizon: Orthic
Second horizon: Yellow brown appeal
Third horizon: Red appeal, Griffith (Gf)
Presence of organic matter: no effervescence observed, organic matter not present
Presence of carbonates: No effervescence observed, no carbonates were present.

Soil depth:
-Soil was measure at a depth of 1.1m

However another different horizon was observed below the third horizon. Sodium
chloride was then used to assess if Podzol or not. The aggregate however turned dark
pink clearly showing that it's not a Podzol.

Discussion:

The results obtained clearly showed tha in most cases, the A horizon is mostly
Orthic(not in every case but some cases).They also showed the trend of how the soil
colour of dry soils decreases by one value to obtain the colour/ brightness of moisy
soils.Topsoil is said to akways6be rich in humus and organic matter, however when
assessing the presence of organic matter I'm pitB, it was found that no Organic matter
content was present which went against the expectations of all topsoils being rich in
humus.This boes against the statement thay topsoil should always contain a
percentage of between 3-6 % all the time. Something must have gone wrong with
these results. Since the soil had a reddish colour, that resish colour indicated the
presence of iron which formed red oxides imparting a red colour to the soil and
Mafikeng is semi-dessertwd so a red soil is most likely the only type of soil with a
higher proportional percentage.Yet In water retained soils due to lack of air, iron
might be formed in a reduced state giving the soil a grey, green, bluish-grey colour.

References
Anon. Better Soils: Agricultural Bureau of South Australia. www.bettersoils.com.au
Fenton, M., Albert's, C., Ketterings, Q. 2008. Nutrient Management Spear
Programme. Https //nmsp.css.cornell.edu

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