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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
understand
that
variations
in
landscape
can
affect
soil
properties.
Students
investigate
variations
in
the
soils
around
their
school
to
discover
that
soil
properties
like
moisture
and
temperature
exhibit
considerable
variability
across
a
single
landscape.
They
also
identify
factors
such
as
slope,
shade,
plants,
compaction,
which
affect
the
appearance
of
soils
and
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The purpose of this resource is to measure soil water content by mass. Students collect soil samples with a trowel or auger and weigh them, dry them, and then weigh them again. The soil water content is determined by calculating the difference between the wet sample mass and the dry sample mass.
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The purpose of this resource is to determine the rate at which water soaks into the ground. Students place two cans into the soil and add water to them to a depth of at least 5 cm. Students measure and record the time it takes the water level to drop a fixed 2 - 4 cm distance. Students repeat the measurement to determine how easily water moves vertically through the soil.
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The purpose of this resource is to measure the water content of soil based on the electrical resistance of soil moisture sensors. Students install soil moisture sensors in holes that are 10 cm, 30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm deep. They take daily readings of soil moisture data by connecting a meter to the sensors and using a calibration curve to determine the soil water content at each depth.
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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
introduce
the
different
particle
sizes
of
soils
and
the
properties
which
each
contributes
to
the
soil
character.
Students
make
mud
pies
by
adding
water
to
the
various
soil
components,
letting
them
dry
and
observing
the
pie's
characteristics.
Students
sift
soil
to
remove
organic
materials
and
pebbles.
They
then
sift
the
soil
with
smaller
meshed
sieves
to
separate
...
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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
measure
the
soil
particle
density
of
each
horizon
in
a
soil
profile.
Students
weigh
a
sample
of
dry,
sieved
soil
from
a
horizon,
mix
it
with
distilled
water
and
then
boil
the
mixture
to
remove
any
air.
The
mixture
cools
for
a
day
and
then
students
add
water
until
the
volume
of
the
mixture
is
100
mL.
Students
measure
the
temperature
and
mass
of
the
final
mixture
and
...
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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
sure
the
distribution
of
different
sizes
of
soil
particles
in
each
horizon
of
a
soil
profile.
Using
dry,
sieved
soil
from
a
horizon,
students
mix
the
soil
with
water
and
a
dispersing
solution
to
completely
separate
the
particles
from
each
other.
Students
shake
the
mixture
to
fully
suspend
the
soil
in
the
water.
The
soil
particles
are
then
allowed
to
settle
out
of
...
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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
develop
an
understanding
of
how
water
flows
through
different
soils
and
how
it
is
transformed
when
it
flows
through
these
soils.
Students
time
the
flow
of
water
through
different
soils
and
observe
the
amount
of
water
held
and
also
the
filtering
ability
of
the
soils.
They
will
also
observe
the
filtering
ability
of
soils
by
noting
the
clarity
of
the
water
before
and
...
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The
purpose
of
this
resource
is
to
develop
an
understanding
of
some
of
the
relationships
between
soils
of
different
types
and
water.
Students
will
time
the
flow
of
water
through
soils
with
different
properties
and
measure
the
amount
of
water
held
in
these
soils.
They
will
also
experiment
with
the
filtering
ability
of
soils
by
testing
the
pH
of
the
water
before
and
after
it
passes
through
the
soil
...
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The purpose of this resource is to measure the pH of a soil horizon. Students mix dried and sieved soil samples with distilled water. The mixture is allowed to settle until a relatively clear layer is formed. Students use a pH pen, pH meter, or pH paper to determine the pH of the sample. The procedure is done three times for each horizon.
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