Analysis techniques

• Soil texture analysis - sedimentation

  • Add water to soil in a measuring cylinder
  • Stir
  • Allow soil to settle into separated layers of clay, silt and sand
  • Measure the amount of each component
  • Work out the percentages of sand, silt and clay
  • use a soil triangle to calculate the type of soil
  • Sand is at the bottom, then silt, then clay on top
• Soil texture analysis - sieve

  • Find the mass of each sieve section without soil
  • add dry soil sample to assembled sieve
  • shake soil sieve
  • Weigh separate parts of the sieve containing sand, silts and clay.
  • Work out the mass of each texture type. mass of sieve and soil - mass of sieve without soil
  • Work out the percentage of each texture
  • Use a soil triangle with the percentages to find the soil type.

  Increase the accuracy of the data by calibrating the weighing scale
• Soil temperature analysis

  • use a thermometer
  • stick it in the ground and read it
• Soil pH analysis

  • use a universal indicator
  • Compare to colour chart
• Soil water content analysis

  • weigh crucible
  • weigh soil sample
  • Heat to 100 degrees C so the water evaporates
  • Reweigh dry soil to calculate mass difference which is the water mass
  • Water mass / total mass x100 = percentage of water