Soil Characteristics
Collect a number of soil samples from a variety of locations around the school grounds. Place a small amount of the soil into a clip-lock bag and label where you collected the sample from.
You will need:
· A small digging tool (this may not be necessary if soils are soft)
· Clip-lock bags
· Small pieces of paper to be used as labels
· Lead pencil
· pH testing kit
Create a table in your exercise book with the following headings:
You will need:
· A small digging tool (this may not be necessary if soils are soft)
· Clip-lock bags
· Small pieces of paper to be used as labels
· Lead pencil
· pH testing kit
Create a table in your exercise book with the following headings:
- Sample
- Location
- Texture
- Colour
- Structure
- Acidity/Alkalinity
For each of your soil samples, comment on its characteristics.
Using the pH test kit:
To determine the acidity or alkalinity add a few drops of water to your sample and wipe some of the mixture onto your testing strip. The strip will change colour. Compare the strip to the colour chart to determine the pH (exact testing procedure may vary slightly depending on the type of kit you use – follow the instructions on your kit).
Analysis: Try to determine why the soil sample of different. What are the factors that may have influenced the type of soils found?
Using the pH test kit:
To determine the acidity or alkalinity add a few drops of water to your sample and wipe some of the mixture onto your testing strip. The strip will change colour. Compare the strip to the colour chart to determine the pH (exact testing procedure may vary slightly depending on the type of kit you use – follow the instructions on your kit).
Analysis: Try to determine why the soil sample of different. What are the factors that may have influenced the type of soils found?
