1. Soil

2. Scientists think it takes 200-300 years for 1 cm of soil to form!
Soil is made through the weathering of rocks, combined with living organisms, & decaying organic material
Scientists think it takes years for 1 cm of soil to form!

3. What sediments make up Soil?
Sand – good drainage and aeration
Silt – good for plant growth
Clay – holds water well, doesn’t drain well.

4. Let’a try a few together on the handout:
Texture
Loam is best because it has equal distribution of all 3 sediments
Let’a try a few together on the handout:
1. 40% sand
50% silt
10% clay
% sand
40% silt
30% clay

5. What soil type(s) do we have in Mecklenburg County?

6. Climate - provides sources of erosion
How are soils formed?
Climate - provides sources of erosion
Relief or topography - affects the retention of soil
Organisms: - breaks down to provide nutrients
Parent Material - must have starting bedrock material to break down
Time - nutrients accumulate until they are at a stable place
BrainPop on Soil

7. Porosity

8. Soil Layers R Horizon Bedrock (parent material)
In Piedmont of NC, this is Igneous and Metamorphic rocks
For our model, let’s start with a bedrock of marshmallow igneous rocks!

9. Soil Layers Aquifer This is where our groundwater is
For our model, let’s use pudding to replicate our aquifer!
High porosity

10. Soil Layers
C Horizon
Broken down parts of bedrock; no roots or organic material
For our model, let’s use Hershey’s kisses to simulate regolith!

11. Soil Layers
B Horizon
AKA subsoil; little organic matter, mostly clay from above layers
For our model, let’s use big pieces of Oreo cookie to represent the subsoil!

12. Soil Layers
E Horizon
Mostly sand and silt; most of clay has leached down to B horizon
For our model, let’s use vanilla wafer crumbs to represent the subsoil!

13. Soil Layers
A Horizon
Dark colored and most fertile; lots of organic matter
For our model, let’s use graham cracker crumbs to represent topsoil!

14. Soil Layers O Horizon Where most organisms (plants and animals) exist
For our model, let’s use gummy worms to represent decomposers!