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Soil Physics (Porosity (Volume of pores/Total volume of soil, Typically 30…
Soil Physics
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Importance
Soil Structure
Required for drainage, aeration, root growth and seedling emergence
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Plough pans (subsurface) decrease drainage, aeration and root growth
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Soil conservation
Soil erosion and degradation is reason for collapse of previous civilisations (e.g. Mesopotamia), and currently one of the greatest challenges on earth
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Erosion is linked to soil structure and soil water - loss of soil surface by air/water and removal of nutrients
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Soil content
Solids (organic, mineral)
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Air and water are contained in pore spaces (inter-aggregate, intra-aggregate)
Bulk Density
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Measurement
Core method
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Rapid, easy, small depth intervals
Hole method
Dig hole, dry soil and weigh
Line hole and fill with liquid, sand etc. to determine volume
Accurate but slow, larger depths required etc.
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Gamma ray probe
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Fast, easy, also measures moisture
Expensive, requires calibration for each soil type, requires permit and variable accuracy
Particle Density
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Affected by mineralogy, organic matter
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Water content
Gravimetric
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Varies with mineralogy, clay content, organic matter, plant growth, climate, and management practices
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Volumetric
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Difficult to measure, so measure gravimetric water content and convert it to volumetric
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The branch of soil science that deals with the physical properties of the soil, with emphasis on the state and transport of matter (especially water) and energy in the soil.