By W.Batke Teacher Notes Activity Soil Problems

Pick your problem: Gardening Problem 2 You are a famous soil specialist who helps people with their problems. Identify the problem and then suggest some possible solutions. Septic Tank Troubles Gardening Problem 1

Toilet Troubles: This is the classic failure in which raw sewage is rejected by the disposal system. I have raw sewage on the bathroom floor. All of my toilets have backed up.

Here are some possible causes: Use of system beyond its designed capacity. (too many showers,flushes,laundry) Improper disposal of solvents, grease, etc., in the septic tank. (clogged up) Improper disposal or use of chemicals that have killed the bacteria Soil too impermeable, soil has a high clay content

List some possible causes: Use of system beyond its designed capacity. (too many showers,flushes,laundry) Improper disposal of solvents, grease, etc., in the septic tank. (clogged up) Improper disposal or use of chemicals that have killed the bacteria Soil too impermeable, soil has a high clay content causing the sewage to back up What is the cause? Click to see

Use of system beyond its designed capacity. No…. Try again

Improper disposal of solvents, grease No…. Try again

No…. Try again Improper disposal or use of chemicals that have killed the bacteria

How a septic tank works As a toilet is flushed, sewage travels down by gravity to a tank and allowed to settle. Floatable materials rise. The partly clarified liquid stream flows from a submerged outlet into subsurface trenches filled with gravel, and sand. Microorganisms biologically break down the sewage into less a harmful product. Eventually, it discharges into a septic field.

Microorganisms On to problem Water then soaks into the soil

Heavy clay blocks water flow Microorganisms

List some possible solutions: Back to more problems Discuss

My garden starts out well but constantly needs watering and fertilization

What might be causing these problems Discuss

Problem: Too much sand in the soil Water and soluble nutrients pass too quickly through sandy soil. Plants need frequent watering.

List some possible solutions: Discuss

Possible Solution: Add organic matter which will increase the humus content. This will improve moisture and nutrient retention. Back to more problems

My garden is hard to cultivate, plants do poorly, and water puddles at the surface when I water it.

What might be causing these problems Discuss

This soil has a high clay content. These particles pack very close together. This hinders the movement of water and air. Root growth is restricted.

Possible Solution: Add organic matter or soil amendments such as sand which will improve air and water movement Back to more problems

List some possible solutions: Discuss

Possible Solution: Add organic matter which will increase the humus content. Back to more problems

Teacher notes: Back to start *Slides that do not advance automatically must be advanced manually by left clicking on the mouse button. *Back arrows on each slide move to previous slide. *Topics are intended to be discussed in class and science journal notes or records are encouraged. *Programs may be viewed in any sequence although they tend to build upon one another. Soil Importance, Soil Formation Pt.1, Soil Formation Pt.2 Soil Conservation, Soil Problems More

Here are some additional resources on the web If you have questions, comments, please send to Back to start