What is soil? Types and properties of soils. What types of soils are there?

Previously, for me such concepts as “soil” and “rock” were synonymous. I didn't understand how they differed until I looked into it more. The good thing about the Internet is that you can find everything you need to know in a matter of minutes.

General information about soil and rocks

I think to better understand this issue, we need to start with a definition. Soil is called a natural body that has certain properties. They are called morphological. Home distinctive feature soil from rocks is fertility. Why are black soils considered the most fertile lands? Because they contain the most fertile soil. It contains various microorganisms and a layer of humus, which is necessary for the spread of plant roots, including food crops.


Rocks have different origins, consist of different minerals, have different properties and characteristics. They are located in the earth's crust and are a source of mineral raw materials for humanity. There are simple and complex types. The first consist of one type of minerals, while the others consist of several. Rocks can appear in several ways:

  • when magma cools after volcanic eruptions on the earth's surface or deep in the crust, this type is called igneous rocks;
  • after the destruction or weathering of various rocks, sedimentary rocks also appear during precipitation and the activity of various organisms;
  • with increasing temperature and pressure, metamorphic rocks are something between the first two varieties, they are transitional type, when all the signs of igneous rocks are present, but signs of sedimentary rocks are also present.

The importance of rocks for soil formation

There are soil-forming rocks. Soil does not appear on its own. It appears from rocks, which are also called parent rocks.


To form soil, soil-forming processes occur in the rock. This biological processes that occur with the help of living organisms.

Soil is the top layer of the land surface, which contains fertile substances and from which land plants receive nutrition.

Differences between soil and rocks

Soil formation occurred over millions of years, as solid rocks decomposed. Sudden changes temperatures, flowing water, glaciers and winds turned stones and rocks into fine sand. The first plants that began to adapt to the land way of life grew on the coasts and attached themselves to this sand. Gradually, over hundreds of generations, when the plants died, their dead parts rotted and mixed with the sand, saturating it with nutrients. Over time, plants evolved, new species appeared that could already survive in the interior of the continent, and thus soil formation occurred in all parts of the planet. In exactly the same way, dead animals and their secretions fertilized and enriched the soil.
From this we can conclude that the soil differs from the parent rock in that it is heterogeneous in composition, and appeared as a result of the mixing of dead organic remains and decomposed volcanic rocks.

Formation of different types of soil

It is worth noting that soil formation is a process that does not stop, and soils in different parts planets differ greatly from each other in fertility and chemical composition. The following soil categories are distinguished:

  • Chernozem;
  • Brown;
  • Lateritic
  • Arctic;
  • Podzolic.

The formation of different types of soils is influenced, first of all, by vegetation and climatic characteristics, as well as the type of parent rock, amount of precipitation, relief, etc. For example, chernozem is formed in places where the climate and precipitation are moderate; broad-leaved forests also grow there, and grasses grow on the lower tier. This is one of the most fertile soil types. In coniferous forests, where the climate is colder and there is less rainfall, and the plants are not deciduous, the soils are podzolic and much less fertile. In the tropics, especially on ancient lithospheric plates (as in Africa and Southeast Asia), as a result of mixing loess and organic rocks, lateritic soils are formed, rich in iron and poor in organic matter.

26.04.2018

To answer the question, what is the difference between soil and earth, you should refer to the definitions of these concepts. They are studied by two different sciences: soil science and soil science.

What is soil?

The soil is dynamic system and part of the geological environment, its composition includes large number components. It includes:

  • rocks;
  • sedimentary materials;
  • soil (ground);
  • technogenic structures.

Soils are examined directly in section economic activity people and construction.

Soil is one of the varieties of this material and is characterized by a complex of special properties. It can be obtained as follows: naturally(by removing the substrate from a certain area using technical devices), and artificial (by mixing the required components in the required proportions).

What is soil?

The soil is a surface layer within the lithosphere and is an open and heterogeneous system, actually an isolated natural body. Its main characteristic is the possession of the important quality of fertility.

It includes several main components:

  • solid, liquid, gaseous phases;
  • living organisms that form a unique biocenosis.

The processes required to form the earth involve both geological and biological factors: weathering and activity of the individuals and their groups inhabiting it.

The key property that determines the difference between soil and soil is the fertility of the latter. It is characterized by the ability of the substrate to provide adequate conditions for the growth and development of plants, as well as to satisfy their needs for air, water, inorganic and organic nutritional components.

The soil consists of several layers connected to each other. The top arable layer, which includes humus, the organic matter of the earth rich in nutrient compounds, is of greatest importance for the fertility indicator.

  1. Loams are rich in calcium salts, retain heat well, and accumulate moisture and organic compounds. They belong to productive substrates and allow you to obtain excellent yields of most agricultural crops.
  2. The sands are lightweight materials, however, they allow moisture to pass through too much, heat up and cool down quickly. Such soils are widely used for agriculture, but require artificial enrichment with nutritional compounds.
  3. Clay serves as a heavy substrate, which differs high density and has an insufficient number of natural pores for full penetration of liquid. It is prone to hardening during drought and becoming soggy during rainy periods, and therefore requires careful cultivation.
  4. Wetland soils require preliminary drainage. These include raised bogs, rich in peat, and less acidic lowland bogs with a high calcium content.

General conclusions

So, in deciding the question of how soil differs from earth, highest value has the character of an approach. Both concepts are extremely broad and often act as synonyms.

  • Earth is the name of a planet, used to describe certain areas as geographical units not occupied by water, and is a term for fertile ground (soil).
  • The word “soil” is most applicable to describe the basis for construction projects and structures. It can refer to rock, sand, clay, sedimentary materials or other rocks.

Assortment

Possible, if necessary, delivery by specialized transport of the supplier is organized.

Enterprise managers provide consultations during business hours and can help in drawing up estimates, negotiating discounts, and also provide the necessary clarification on all related issues (for example, explaining the difference between soil and soil).

Soil in section.

For many years we have been working on our six hundred square meters and often do not think about What is "earth", "soil" and "soil". In this article we will try to refresh our knowledge about the subject. We only need the minimum that is needed in order to understand how to choose the right way to carry out work. We will not get to the molten core of the Earth; we will limit ourselves to a small, about 1 m, upper layer of the earth’s crust. The Earth, of course, is, first of all, a planet, secondly, it is a territory not occupied by water, and thirdly, it is an environment in which plants grow and living organisms live, i.e. soil. The term "soil" means base. This includes rocks and rocks and loose, sandy and clayey ones. In general, the same soil. In parallel, there is a concept - fertile soil. And this is the soil too.

The soil itself consists of several interconnected layers. If you had to dig a planting hole for seedlings, what am I? Of course I had to! - then you saw that the topmost, arable layer is darker and looser than the subsequent ones. The thickness of the arable layer in any conditions - both in the south and in the north - will be approximately the same.

Such as is required for the root system of plants. But the fertile layer varies significantly. In the south it can reach a meter. The further north you go, the thinner this layer is and can be only a few centimeters. And, even in the same area, the difference can be significant from place to place.

The top fertile, arable layer of the earth is formed from plant residues with the help of water, air and living organisms, as well as... tireless summer residents, selflessly, tirelessly cultivating their favorite acres. Soils can vary as follows:

  • sandy soils - consist of individual grains of sand, allow moisture to pass through well, heat up quickly, but also cool down quickly. These are poor soils and need to be enriched with nutrients.
  • loams- have the ability to accumulate water and nutrients and retain heat. Good crops grow on such soils. The presence of calcium counteracts acidification.
  • clay soils - heavy and dense. Water penetrates through them poorly and therefore they are damp, and in drought they are very hard. In general, the soil is fertile.
  • marshy soils - raised bogs - contain peat, wet and acidic soils, nutrients few; lowland swamps - soils are rich in calcium and less acidic than upland ones.

The topmost layer of soil is home to beneficial and harmful insects, worms, snails, and microbes. And thanks to these inhabitants it is formed . For normal height and fruiting, a layer of humus 20 - 30 cm thick is required. Now you understand how important the top layer of soil is and it should be handled very carefully.

Do not destroy it, but preserve it in every possible way and replenish it with organic fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers can be used, but in moderation, so as not to kill the inhabitants. The following articles will be about which farming method to choose and how to increase soil fertility.

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