1. Lithosphere & Soil
; ; 2.5.4

2. Lithosphere
Litho =
The thin crust between the mantle and the atmosphere.
Made up mostly of oxygen(47%), silicon(28%), aluminum(8%) and iron(5%).
Only the top 1% of it interacts with the biosphere and is influenced by the atmosphere and hydrosphere = soil (a thin bridge between the biosphere and the lithosphere)

3. 3.4.1- Outline how soil systems integrate aspects of living systems
Soil = the top layer of the earth’s surface, consisting of a mixture of rock, mineral particles, organic remains, and water and air in the spaces between the soil particles.
Living organisms play an important role in the development and composition of soil
Add organic matter
Aid decomposition
Aid in weathering and nutrient cycling

4. Soil as a Living System What kind of system is soil?
Inputs – organic and parent material, precipitation, infiltration, energy, deposition, and nutrients.
Outputs – leaching, uptake by plants, mass movement, nutrient cycles and filtering water.
Storage – heat (affecting atmospheric temperature), nutrients, biotic organisms
Transformations – decomposition, weathering, and nutrient cycles.
Transfers – deposition, and nutrients entering and leaving through precipitation and erosion.

6. Soil and Living Organisms
Plants and animals help to make soil
They die and decompose, adding organic matter.
Organic matter helps deliver the right amount of moisture and nutrients to plants.
Plants hold soil together.
The roots make a “webbing” that holds soil together to reduce erosion.
Bacteria and Fungi aid in decomposition and therefore the formation of soil.
Soil is their habitat.

7. Layers of Soil (See Soil Profile handout)
Humus =decomposing organic material; dark brown or black layer

8. Soil as a Resource
The time it takes for soil to form varies from a few days up to a hundred thousand years!!!
Ex: (days) soil is easily developed from ash of a volcanic eruption.
Ex: (years) soil formed from weathering of rock.
Because, in either case, the soil cannot be formed immediately (you cannot force a volcano to erupt), soil is considered a non-renewable resource.

9. 3.4.2 – Compare the structure and properties of sand, clay, and loam soils, including their effect on Primary Productivity
See table handout.
Primary Productivity = the energy made by producers through photosynthesis.

10. Composition of Loam Soil

11. Abiotic Factors to measure in Soil
Particle size/soil make-up
Slope
Soil moisture

12. Particle Size/Soil make-up
Also called Soil Texture
Begin by drying the soil out.
Then pass it through a series of sieves with decreases mesh sizes (first 2mm, then .05mm, then .002mm)
This will separate the soil into sand, silt and clay particles.

14. Measuring Soil Texture

15. Slope Determines surface runoff and can cause erosion.
Can be measured by measuring the rise (height) and the run (length).
Use a tape measure and a field level.

17. Soil Moisture
How could you measure how much moisture is in a sample of soil?

18. Mineral (nutrient cycling)
nutrient cycles - biogeochemical cycles
natural processes that involve the flow of nutrients from the nonliving environment (air, water, soil, rock) to living organisms (biota) & back again.

19. Your Assignment
Research the Water Cycle, the Carbon Cycle, and the Nitrogen Cycle.
Use the flow diagrams and your research to give the steps to each.
List the transfers and transformations in each cycle.
List the major inorganic storage and organic storage of each element.
List a few ways human affect each cycle.