17. Soils TASK 3 You will need: Examine the humus content of one soil sample
Jars
Sticky labels
Pen
Instructions 1. Choose one soil sample, A, B or C. 2. Place 10 cm of the soil into a clear jar and fill to the top with water. Put a lid on the jar. 3. Shake the jar well and leave to settle for 24 hours.
4. After this period, the soil will have settled so that the heaviest material is at the bottom and lighter material is at the top.
5. The lightest material (humus) will be on top.
6. Measure this material to discover humus content.
7. Record your measurements and draw a diagram/take a photograph of your soil jar. (Refer to the results map, p. 262.)
TASK 4 You will need:
Shaken and settled Soil sample
Humus Clay Silt
Sand Cloudy water in the top of the jar indicates plenty of clay Measure the moisture and air content of one soil sample
Instructions 1. Choose one soil sample, A, B or C.
2. Weigh your soil sample and record the result. (Refer to the results map, p. 262.)
Oven tray Weighing scales
3. Place the soil sample on a tray and put it into an oven at a temperature of about 110 °C for 10 minutes. (If you do not have access to an oven, place the sample near a radiator for a few hours to give it time to dry out.)
4. Remove the sample from oven and weigh it again.