Soil Texture
[Link]
Particle Size Distribution
(Texture)
Important for determining suitability for various
uses
Considered a basic property because it doesn’t
change
Properties Related to
Texture
Porosity
Permeability
Infiltration
Shrink-swell
Water Holding Capacity
Erodibility
Soil Components
Most soils have a combination of soil particles
sizes.
Sand
Silt
Clay
Sand
Gritty feel
Can be seen with the naked eye
Hand sampling:
No residue left on hand or in pores
Silt
Dry: Powdery smooth feel
Wet: Creamy slick, slippery feel
No sticky or plastic feel
Can be seen with a hand lens or microscope
Hand sampling:
Coats hand, able to brush off
Remains in pores
Clay
Dry: Hard feel
Wet: Sticky, plastic feel
Can be seen with an electron microscope
Hand Sampling:
Thick film residue
Particle Sizes
Clay: less than 0.002 mm
Silt: 0.002-0.005 mm
Sand: 0.05 – 2 mm
.05- .24 mm fine
.25- .49 mm medium
.5- .99 mm course
1- 2 mm very course
Gravels: 2-75 mm
Cobbles:75-250 mm
Stones: 250-600 mm
Boulders: >600 mm
Fine Textured Soil
Large components of silt and clay, making it
"muddy" when wet.
Pore spaces are smaller and hold more water
As clay soils begin to dry, they may still hold large
quantities of water.
The small particle size and adhesive & cohesive
properties of water make most of it will be
unavailable for root uptake.
Course Textured Soil
Mostly sand & gravel
has large pore spaces and allows water to easily run
through it beyond the reach of roots
drought-prone
little surface area for the particle volume, reducing
the potential for nutrient weathering
Loamy Soil
A mix of sand, silt, and clay that optimizes
agricultural productivity
General Influence of Soil Separates
on Properties and Behaviors of Soils
Property/Behavior Sand Silt Clay
Water holding Low Med-high high
Aeration Good Med Poor
OM decomposition Fast Med Slow
Water erosion pot. Low High Low
Compactability Low Med High
Sealing (ponds, ect) Poor Poor Good
Nutrient supplying* Poor Med-high High
Pollutant leaching High Med Low
Soil Texture and Surface
Area
As particle size decreases, surface area increases
Clay has about 10,000 times as much surface area
as sand
Has a big effect on:
Water holding capacity
Chemical reactions
Soil cohesion
Ability to support microorganisms
Other Influences of Soil
Organic Matter
Humus
Parent Material
Sources of Parent Material
Organic Matter & Humus
Organic Matter is derived from decomposing
plant and animal remains
Humus is the dark, moist layer found on the top
of a soil profile. This is because it is made up of
dead and decaying matter. It is fairly fertile in that
the decay process adds nutrients to the soil that
plants love to soak up.
Parent Material
Rock or original source of soil particles
Effects soil quality
Glacial outwash sands tend to be infertile, or hold few minerals and
nutrients important for tree growth.
Soils derived from other sources may be relatively rich in minerals
and nutrients.
Usually a combination of weathered parent materials and organic
matter make a soil.
Sources of Parent Material
Weathering or erosive actions
heating/cooling
freezing/thawing
glaciers
water
wind
chemistry
plants & animals
Soil Texture Activities
Instructions at: [Link]/lessons-
and-activities