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    Soil Textural Triangle WS

    Uploaded by

    Yuri Valdes- Alvarez
    A soil texture triangle is used to classify soil texture based on the percentage composition of sand, silt, and clay. To classify a soil sample, the percentages of sand, silt, and clay are plotted on the triangle and the intersection point identifies the soil texture class. For example, a soil sample that is 30% clay, 15% silt, and 55% sand would be classified as a sandy clay loam. The three sides of the soil texture triangle represent the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

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    Soil Textural Triangle WS

    Uploaded by

    Yuri Valdes- Alvarez
    69 views3 pages
    A soil texture triangle is used to classify soil texture based on the percentage composition of sand, silt, and clay. To classify a soil sample, the percentages of sand, silt, and clay are plotted on the triangle and the intersection point identifies the soil texture class. For example, a soil sample that is 30% clay, 15% silt, and 55% sand would be classified as a sandy clay loam. The three sides of the soil texture triangle represent the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

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    A soil texture triangle is used to classify soil texture based on the percentage composition of sand, silt, and clay. To classify a soil sample, the percentages of sand, silt, and clay are plotted on the triangle and the intersection point identifies the soil texture class. For example, a soil sample that is 30% clay, 15% silt, and 55% sand would be classified as a sandy clay loam. The three sides of the soil texture triangle represent the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    69 views3 pages

    Soil Textural Triangle WS

    Uploaded by

    Yuri Valdes- Alvarez
    A soil texture triangle is used to classify soil texture based on the percentage composition of sand, silt, and clay. To classify a soil sample, the percentages of sand, silt, and clay are plotted on the triangle and the intersection point identifies the soil texture class. For example, a soil sample that is 30% clay, 15% silt, and 55% sand would be classified as a sandy clay loam. The three sides of the soil texture triangle represent the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Soil Textural Triangle

    Name: _________________________________________________ Period : _______ Date: _________


    Essential Question: How do I classify the types of soil using the soil triangle?

    A soil texture triangle is used to classify the texture class of a soil. The sides of the soil
    texture triangle are scaled for the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

    Soil Texture is one of the first things


    determined when a soil is examined. It is
    related to weathering and rocks as parent
    materials. The differences in horizons may be due to the
    differences in texture of their respective parent materials
    or rocks where soil formed.

    First, look at the orientation of the percentages on the sides of the triangle. The numbers are arranged
    symmetrically around the perimeter. On the left the numbers correspond to the percentage of clay, and
    on the right the numbers correspond to the percentage of silt. At the bottom of the triangle chart are the
    percentages of sand.

    To classify a soil sample, you find the intersection of the


    three lines that correspond the three proportions. On the
    chart, all of the percents will add up to 100%.
    Example: Classify a soil sample that is 30% clay, 15%
    silt, and 55% sand. First locate 30% on the clay axis, and
    draw a line horizontally from left to right. Next, locate 15%
    on the silt axis, and draw a line going down diagonally to the
    left. Finally, locate 55% on the sand axis, and draw a line
    going up diagonally to the left. The intersection is in a region
    called Sandy Clay Loam. See figure on the right.

    In some environments clay aggregates form that are so strongly cemented together that they feel like fine
    sand or silt. In humid climates iron oxide is the cement. Humid air can hasten the process of rusting, which an
    example of chemical weathering. Chemical weathering occurs when the minerals within the rocks are
    chemically altered. Oxidation represents a form of chemical weathering where oxygen combines with
    elements in the rock to form oxides. Iron-rich rocks provide a simple example of this: Oxidation results in
    a rusting effect similar to the rust found on exposed iron. In desert climates silica is the cement and in arid
    regions lime can be the cement. It takes prolonged rubbing to show that they are clays and not silt
    loams.Some soils derived from granite contain grains that resemble mica but are softer. Rubbing breaks down
    these grains and reveals that they are clay. These grains resist dispersion and field and laboratory
    determinations may disagree.
    Clarifying Questions:

    1. What is a soil texture triangle?


    ____________________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    2. What is one of the first things determined in doing soil analysis or examination?
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    3. Describe the comparative sizes of gravel, sand, silt and clay.
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    4. What is the soil parent material?
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    5. How is soil classified?
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    6. Why do farmers determine the texture and pH level ( acid 1-5, base 7-14) of their farm soil?
    Think!_______________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    7. How is iron oxide affected by humid climates?
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    8. What is the cement in rocks in the desert?
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    9. What is the cement in rocks in the arid or dry regions?
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    Use the Soil Textural Triangle below to answer questions 10-13.

    10. What type of soil is made of 10 % sand, 80 % clay, and 10% silt?
    ________________________________

    11. What type of soil is made of 60% sand, 10% silt, and 30% clay?
    ________________________________

    12. What type of soil is made of 50% sand, 40% clay,


    and 10% silt?
    ________________________________
    13. What kind of soil is made of 40% sand, 40% silt,
    and 20% clay. It is the best soil for most plants.
    ________________________________

    14. The three sides of the soil textural triangle are


    represented by the percent (%) of sand, ___________,
    and _____________

    http://soils.usda.gov/education/resources/lessons/texture/ Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNcUNGaou0


    http://www.had2know.com/garden/classify-soil-texture-triangle-chart.html
    Answer Key:
    10. clay
    11. sandy clay loam
    12. sandy clay
    13. loam

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