PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL.

Soil is finely divided material covering the earth crust or surface. It consists of air, water,
humus, living organisms, and weathered rocks.
Importance of soil
 Soil provides nutrients e.g. water and minerals to plants which are the chief producers of
food in the environment.
 Soil is a habitat (home) for many organisms such as earth worms, termites, bacteria fungi
and arthropods.
 Soil provides a medium through which man and all other animals dispose of their wastes.
Soil is an important natural resource which provides construction materials, supports
agriculture, craft and art materials.
TYPES OF SOIL
Soil is grouped basing on size and nature of soil particles. On this basis, there are 3 main
types of soil namely: Clay soil, Loam soil and Sand soil.
1. Sandy soils;
 Sandy soils contain large space between the particles and these spaces allow water to
drain off very quickly.
 They have a gritty feel when wet and felt between the thumb and figure.
 They contain only very small quantities of water and they may be deficient in calcium
and magnesium.
 They are described as light soils because they are relatively easy to work with.
2. Clay soil:
 They have small fine particles i.e. fine texture.
 The soil particles in clay are closely parked together leaving very small spaces
between them. This causes clay soils to have poor water drainage and also become
water logged.
 They are difficult to work with and therefore described as heavy soils.
 They have a sticky feel when wet.
3. Loam soil:
This is a mixture of sand (about40%), silt (about40%), clay (15%), organic matter (1-
4%) it has stable crumb structure and is the best for crop production.
Differences between clay and sand soil
Clay soil Sandy soil
Very small air spaces between particles Large air spaces between particles.
Rich in dissolved salts Poorly dissolved salts
Has high water retention capacity Has only very low water retaining capacity
Poor drainage i.e. low permeability Very easy drainage i.e. high permeability
Water can rise to high level by capillarity Water cannot rise to high level by capillarity
More than 30% clay and less than 40% sand More than 70% sand and less than 20% clay

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Application of knowledge (science and society).
Clay mixed with water, oil and honey can be used to make clay masks that ladies apply on
their faces to maintain beauty.
Basing on clays ability to remain sticky when wet, it binds to germs on the surface of the skin
deep in the pores and brings the dried up germs to the surface of the skin to be washed away
hence clay is used to maintain skin health and appearance.
CONSTITUENTS (COMPONENTS) OF SOIL
There are basically six components of soil. These are:
i) Inorganic particles, ii) Humus, iii) Water, iv) Air, v) Mineral salts, and vi) Soil living
organisms.
1. INORGANIC PARTICLES.
These are produced during the process of weathering. Soil particle vary in
size and their sizes are used to classify them. The different soil particles are
clay, silt, fine sand, coarse sand and gravel.
Table showing sizes of soil of particles

Soil particle Diameter (mm)

Gravel > 2.0
Coarse 0.2 – 2.0
Fine sand 0.02 – 0.2

Silt 0.002 – 0.02

Clay < 0.002

Uses of soil particles

i) They provide a surface for anchoring plant roots hence providing support to
the plants.
ii) Soil particles give a rigid frame work to the soil.
iii) They provide mineral elements to the soil which are the absorbed by plants
using roots.
Experiment to show the soil texture of topsoil
Apparatus/materials:
Measuring cylinder, Top soil, Stirrer, Beaker
Procedure:
Put water in a measuring cylinder half way. Pour soil (20cm 3) in water and stir
thoroughly. Leave the experiment to stand for 3 minutes and observe.
Observation

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 When the soil particles settle down, the particles arrange themselves
according to their particle size where the heaviest settle at the bottom and the
small and lightest at the top as shown above.

Conclusion
Soil is made up of different particles, which have varying sizes and densities.
2. SOIL AIR
Soil air exists between the soil particles. Airspaces in the soil are important
for growth of plant roots and health of soil organisms. It is mainly oxygen
and nitrogen. (Carbon dioxide is usually in solution as carbonic acid). The
depth to which the roots can grow depends on how deep the air can penetrate
through the soil
Importance of soil air
 It provides oxygen for respiration of soil organisms and plant roots.
 Oxygen is also needed for the decay that produces humus.
 It also provides nitrogen for fixation by the nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the
soil. The nitrogen absorbed is needed in the formation of nitrates and
proteins.
 Carbon dioxide present in the air helps in increasing soil acidity which
favours proper growth of some plants.
 Carbon dioxide present in the air dissolves in water to form carbonic acid
for weathering.

EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE THE PERCENTAGE OF AIR IN

THE SOIL
Apparatus
Measuring cylinders (2)
Dry soil sample
Water
Glass rode

Method

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 1. Measure about 50cc of dry soil in a measuring cylinder and tap the
container to level out the soil.
2. Measure 50 cc of water in another measuring cylinder.
3. Add the two together (observe carefully as you pour the water onto the soil)
4. Allow the mixture to stand until no more bubbles appear. Read and record
the final level of water plus soil in the measuring cylinder.
5. Calculate the air content in terms of percentage.
Example
Volume of soil = 50cc
Volume of water = 50cc
Final volume of water + soil after mixing = 85cc
Volume of air in soil (100-85) = 15cc
Percentage of air in soil sample;
=Volume of air in soil×100%
Volume of soil used
3. WATER
Soil water comes from rain. Also some rise up from the ground water by
capillary action to replace water lost by evaporation from the surface. It is
found as a thin film surrounding the soil particles.
Soil water has the following functions
i) It moistens soil and keeps it humid/moist, making it favourable for
survival of micro-organisms.
ii) It dissolves mineral salts making them available for plants to take. iii) It
dissolves carbon dioxide produced by living organisms to form
carbonic acid which causes chemical weathering of rocks.
iv) It is a raw material for photosynthesis.
v) Water absorbed from the soil allows plant cells to be rigid (turgid), and
this is very important for support of the plant, particularly herbaceous
plants.

EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE THE PERCENTAGE OF WATER IN

A SOIL SAMPLE
Apparatus:
Evaporating dish or basin, fresh soil, weighing scale and oven or Bunsen
burner.
Procedure:

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 a) Weigh a clean evaporating dish and record its weigh. (Let the weight be X
g).
b) Fill the evaporating dish with soil and record the weight of the soil plus the
evaporating dish. (Let the weight be Y g).
c) Dry the soil by heating it gently over a Bunsen burner flame for about 30
min.
d) Heating and weighing is repeated until a constant mass is achieved. (Take
care not to burn the soil (no smoke))
e) Re-weigh the soil and the evaporating dish. (Let it be Z g).
f) Then calculate the water content in the soil sample as shown below;

Note:
You should cool in a desiccator before weighing. This ensures that no fresh
vapour enters the soil.
Results:
Weight of the evaporating dish= X
Weight of soil + evaporating dish = Y
Weight of soil + evaporating dish after heating = Z
Weight of soil sample = Y-X
Weight of water in the soil sample = Y-Z
%age of water = weight of water x 100
Weight of soil
Therefore percentage of water = (Y-Z) × 100
Y-Z
4. HUMUS
Humus is decaying plant and animal material- the dead bodies of animals,
fallen leaves, dead plants and animal droppings. It is a dark brown, rather
sticky material that gives soil its dark colour. For the decay process that form
humus to work properly plenty of oxygen is needed.
Importance of humus
i) Because humus is dark-coloured, soil rich in humus absorbs more heat,
and this warmth is useful for the germination of seeds and helps to speed
up decomposition, making more humus.
ii) It has a high absorptive capacity for water.

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 iii) It forma\s a sticky coat around soil particles and binds several together to
form soil clumps. The clumps structure greatly improves the drainage of
the soil.
iv) Humus retains moisture and minerals in the top soil and so, greatly
reduces the effects of drying and leaching (washing of minerals).
v) It is a source of nutrients used by plants after it is decomposed.
vi) It improves soil aeration.
vii) It improves soil structure by reducing the sticky properties of clay.
viii) It stabilizes soil pH.
ix) It leads to improvement of activities of soil organisms by providing
them with food and shelter.
x) It insulates soil against extreme heat and cold temperatures changes.

EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE THE PERCENTAGE OF

HUMUS (ORGANIC MATTER) IN THE SOIL.
Apparatus:
Crucible, soil sample, weighing scale, heat source, wire, tripod stand, pipe clay
triangle
Procedure:

a) Weigh a clean empty crucible and record its weight (W g).

b) Half fill the crucible with soil and record the exact weight of soil plus
crucible on weighing scale (X g).
c) Dry the soil by heating it in an oven at 1050C to constant weight (Y g) (the
loss in weight of soil at this temperature is due to the water driven out by
evaporation)
d) Reweigh the soil and crucible and record the weight.
e) Heat the dried soil on a crucible to redness in an oven.
f) Weigh the soil after cooling and record its weight.
g) Repeat this till a constant weight is achieved (Z g).

Results:
Weight of crucible = W g
Weight of crucible + fresh soil = X g
Constant weight of soil + crucible after heating at 1050C =Y g
Constant weight of soil + crucible after heating after heating to redness = Z g
Weight of soil = X - W
Weight of dry soil = Y-W
Weight of dry soil after burning off humus = Z - P

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 Weight of humus =Y-Zg

Percentage of humus = weight of humus x 100%

Weight of soil
Percentage of humus = (Y-Z) × 100%
X-W
Exercise
The following experiment was done to find out the percentage of humus in a
given soil sample. The soil sample weighing 120g was heated in an oven kept
at 100o C.
The dry soil weighed 112g. The soil was then heated slowly to burn away
humus. The weight of soil after all humus had burnt was 106g.
a) Why was the soil not heated properly at first?

b) What was the weight of humus in the soil?

c) Calculate the percentage of humus in the soil.
d) How many times was water more than humus?

Solution:

a) It was not because it will burn the humus containing water

b) Weight of soil after burning humus = 106g
Weight of dry soil = 112g
Weight of humus = (112 – 106)
= 6g

c) Percentage of humus = 6 × 100

20
= 5%

5. MINERAL SALTS

These are chemical elements inform of ions, dissolved in the film of water,
surrounding the soil particle.
Some of the mineral elements in soil are; Sulphur, phosphorous, nitrogen,
silicon, magnesium, iron and Aluminium ions which results from weathering of
rocks.

6. SOIL LIVING ORGANISMS

a) Micro organisms

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 They include bacteria and fungi. They play an important part in maintaining
soil fertility through decomposition of plant and animal remains nitrifying
bacteria convert nitrogen into nitrates thus making it available to plants.
b) Macro organisms.
They include roots of higher plants, earth worms, nematodes e.g. ascaris,
hookworms, filarial worm, and soil arthropods.
Earth worms are common in moist soils rich in humus. They dislike dry or
acidic soils. They tunnel into the soil by force, thus improving the soil
aeration and drainage.
Importance of living organisms
i) They improve fertility of the soil through fixing atmospheric nitrogen by
nitrogen fixing bacteria and decomposing litter and other wastes into
humus carried out by termites and bacteria.
ii) Some living organisms like earth worms burrow in the soil and this
improve soil aeration and drainage.
iii) Some living organisms in soil cause diseases to man and his plants.
iv) Wastes from soil living organisms add fertility to the soil.

EXPERIMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESENCE OF

LIVING
ORGANISMS IN SOIL
Apparatus:
Two conical flasks
Muslin bag
Top soil
Two corks
Lime water/ bicarbonate indicator solution
Procedure:
i) Collect a hand full of fresh top soil and divide it into 2 equal portions.
ii) Sterilize one portion of the soil sample by heating it strongly on a crucible for
30 minutes. Leave it to cool and place it in a muslin bag.
iii) Place the remaining portion of the fresh soil sample in another muslin bag.
iv) Add equal amounts of lime water or bicarbonate indicator in the conical
flasks and then suspend the muslin bags with soil in the conical flasks as shown
in the set up below.
Setup: A B

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 Allow the conical flasks to stand for about 2 days and observe the appearance
of lime water or bicarbonate solution.
Observation
Lime water turns milky or the bicarbonate indicator solution turns yellow in
conical flask A but remains clear in conical flask B.
Conclusion
Carbon dioxide was produced in conical flask A during respiration indicating
the presence of living organisms.
Lime water remained clear in conical flask B because the living organisms in
soil in test tube B were killed by heating
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL
1. Porosity:
Sandy soil possess large spaces between the soil particles and so more porous.
Clay soils possess very small spaces between the soil particles thus less porous.
Loam soil is moderately porous.
2. Air content:
Sand contains a lot of air so it is well aerated. This is because it has large spaces existing
between the particles. Clay soil contains little air so it is poorly aerated due to presence of
small spaces between the particles.
Loam soil has varying amounts of air.
3. Drainage of water:
Sand has good water drainage so it allows water to pass through it very quickly.
Clay soil has poor drainage of water and this makes clay water logged. This can be improved
by adding humus to it. Loam drains water moderately.
4. Water retention capacity:
This refers to the amount of water soil can hold. Sandy soil holds little water so it has a poor
water retention capacity. It can be improved by adding humus to it. Humus sticks sand
particles together.

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Clay soil tends to become water logged i.e. it holds a lot of water so has a high
water retention capacity.
Loam soil holds water moderately but not becoming water logged.
EXPERIMENT TO COMPARE THE DRAINAGE AND RETENTION OF
WATER IN SAND AND CLAY SOILS

Apparatus
2 filter funnels,
2 measuring cylinders,
2 filter papers
Equal volumes of samples of dry sand and dry clay soils,
Water and
Beakers
Procedure

a) Measure an equal volume of each soil sample.

b) Fold filter papers properly and put one in each funnel.
c) Then place clay soil in the filter paper in one funnel and the sand in the other
funnel.
d) Place the funnels with their contents over measuring cylinders and at the same
time pour an equal volume of water on each of the soil samples as shown in the
diagrams.
Setup:

Observe which soil allows water to drain through quickly.

Allow the set up to stand for some time till water stops draining through the soils.
Observation

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 Water passes through sand soil faster than clay soil. So much water is
collected in the cylinder with sand soil and less water is collected in the
cylinder containing clay soil.
Conclusion
Clay soil holds more water than sand soil and sandy soils drains water faster
than clay.
Explanation
Sandy soil has larger air spaces which enable water to drain through more
rapidly and on the other hand clay soil retains more water than sand because
it has many small particles which can hold more water.
5. Water capillarity through different soils:
Capillarity through soil means how well water can rise up in the soil and this
depends on the size of air spaces between the soil particles.
Sandy soil has the lowest capillarity of water while clay soil has the highest
water capillarity and loam soil has medium water capillarity.
EXPERIMENT TO DEMONSTRATE AND COMPARE WATER
CAPILLARITY THROUGH SAND, CLAY AND LOAM SOIL.
Materials
3 long glass tubes
Glass troughs
Muslin bags and threads
3 retort stands and clamps
3 samples of dry sand, clay and loam soils.
Procedure

a) Tie a muslin sheath tightly at the end of the glass tubes.

b) Fill one glass tube with dry sample of sand soil and pack it well ensuring
that there are no spaces in the soil.
c) Repeat this with clay and loam soils.
d) The glass tubes are stood vertically with the ends tied with muslin sheath
immersed in a glass trough containing enough water.
e) The glass tubes are supported upright with retort stands and clamps as
shown in the diagram below.
Setup:

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 Observation
Water rises faster for a short distance in sand soil while in clay soil water
rises slowly but to higher distances. In loam soil, water rises moderately to a
moderate distance.
Conclusion
Clay soil has the highest capillarity of water.
Sandy soil has the lowest capillarity while loam has moderate water capillarity.
Explanation
Water rises to the greatest height at the nearest stages of the experiment in
sand soil because sand has large spaces that enable water to rise more rapidly
in the first hours.
Clay soil shows the highest rise of water hence the highest water capillarity
because it is composed of tiny soil particles which present the large surface
area over which water molecules cling.
Water rises at a slow rate in clay soil because clay has small air spaces between
its particles.
Chemical properties of soil
1. Soil colour
This determines the amount of heat that can be trapped in a soil sample. Dark soils retain heat
more than light soils.
2. Soil pH
This is the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Most soils in the tropics are acidic but
some are alkaline. Soil pH affects the rate at which mineral salts e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous,
iron are absorbed by plant roots. Most plants grow best in slightly acidic or neutral soil.
An experiment to determine the soil PH.
Apparatus: Fresh soil sample, Distilled water, Universal solution and
Indicator chart.
Procedure:
i) Place about 3g of soil on petri dish and soak it with universal indicator. Leave it for about
2 minutes.

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 ii) Tilt the petri dish so that the indicator drains out of the soil and then compare the
indicator colour with the indicator chat.
Alternatively:
Soak the soil sample with distilled water. Drain off/filter off the water and test it with the
universal indicator solution or universal indicator papers.
Effect of soil PH on plant growth.
Soil PH affects growth of plants as it is an indicator of the nutrients and minerals in the soil
and thus determine which types of crops that grow well in soil of a given PH range.
Crops that grow well in acidic PH of soil are; beans, onions, tomatoes and sweet potatoes etc.
Crops that grow well in alkaline PH of soil are; pumpkin and cabbages etc.

SOIL EROSION AND CONSERVATION.

SOIL EROSION
This is the removal or washing a way of top soil by animals, wind or running
water. The extent of soil erosion is dependent upon the intensity with which
the rain falls and not the amount of water.
The process of soil erosion.
Soil erosion takes place in the following stages or steps;
i. Detachment; this is the actual breaking of the top layer of the soil into tiny or
small particles which can be easily carried.
ii. Transportation; this is the carrying away of the broken or detached soil
particles from one place to another by the agents of soil erosion like wind,
water.
iii. Deposition; this is the last stage of soil erosion whereby the soil particles that
were carried away during the earlier stages are dumped at another location.
The particles accumulate to form sediments mainly down a valley when the
agent involved is water.
Types of soil erosion.
Sheet erosion
This is where thin uniform layers of soil are eroded over the whole slope.
Rill erosion
This is where water cuts shallow channels called rills. The channels deepen as
volume of water run off increases.
Gulley erosion
This results from rill erosion when the channels deepen and form galleys.
Here a lot of soil is carried a way over greater distances. It is facilitated by

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 careless ploughing (up& down the slope). It may follow tracks made by
vehicles and from animals.
Splash erosion or raindrop erosion
This occurs when intense raindrops displace soil.
Wind erosion
In dry conditions, herds of farm animals trample and compact the soil, causing
a layer of dust on top. When wind comes, it can blow away the dust.
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION (FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE
RATE OF SOIL EROSION).

1) Slopes of land
The deeper the slope the greater the erosion and this is coupled with the
intensity of rain.

2) Over grazing
This is caused by the keeping of many grazing animals on a small area. They
finish the grass, i.e. remove the grass cover and open it to water erosion.
They trample the soil and make it dusty, thus erosion can take place.

3) Deforestation
Foliage of trees reduces intensity at which raindrops reach the ground.
Extensive falling of trees in an area removes this cover thus facilitating erosion
on slopes.

4) Bush burning
Uncontrolled burning of bushes in dry seasons removes the grass top cover,
thus leaving the soil bars for erosion.

5) Poor farming methods:

Ploughing: It lessens the soil and destroys its natural structure. Failure to
replace humus after successive crops reduces water holding properties, so
soil dries easily and can easily be blown away.
Ploughing up and down a slope accelerates water erosion.
Over cropping; over use of soil depletes fertility, thus causing loss of plant
cover. This leaves the soil bare and so susceptible to erosion.
Methods of reducing (preventing) soil erosion
a) Contour ploughing
Ploughing a long contours i.e. across a slope and not up and down. It allows
furrows to trap water rather than to channel it a way.
b) Strip cropping
This consists of alternate bands of cultivated and uncultivated soil, following
contours. Untilled soil is covered with grass.

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 By alternating the grass and crops each year, the soil is allowed to rebuild its
structure while under grass.
c) Terracing
This is cultivation a long contours in horizontal strips supported by stones or
walls, so breaking up the step down water rush of the surface run-off. The
steeper the slope, the closer the terraces must be.
d) Correct crop for soil
Steep slopes which should not be ploughed are covered with pasture crops,
their roots hold the soil
e) Afforestation
This is the Planting large areas of land with trees. They act as wind brakes,
hold the soil together, and prevent raindrops from hitting the soil directly. They
conserve water and control flooding.
f) Mulching covering of top soil with plant material e.g. banana leaves,
maize stems after harvest, cut grass etc. it protects the top soil and conserves
the water in the soil.
Effects of soil erosion (to farmers).
 Nutrients and soil organisms are carried a way in the top soil.
 The soil left behind is unproductive.
 Fields may be cut into irregular pieces by rill and gulley erosion
 Floods carry a way or submerge and suffocate crops and soil
organisms.

SOIL FERTILITY AND CONSERVATION

SOIL FERTILITY
Soil fertility refers to the amount of nutrients in the soil that can support the
growth and yields of plants.
Soil fertility can also be defined as the ability of the soil to sustain plant growth
and optimise crop yield.
Fertile soil is one that can provide adequate amounts of nutrients for plant
growth, resulting into better yields and quality.
Features of fertile soil.
Fertile soil contains enough water, humus, mineral salts, microorganisms,
nutrients and well aerated for proper plant growth.
Loss of soil fertility.
Soil can lose its fertility through the following ways.

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 1. Soil erosion; this removes the top soil which contains most nutrients.
2. Leaching; this is the washing down of soluble minerals from topsoil layers
to bottom layers where they cannot be accessed by plants. Leaching may
result from flooding.
3. Soil exhaustion; this is the depletion/reduction in soil nutrients as a result
of monoculture, over cropping, etc.
4. Soil compaction; this is the hardening of soil on the surface due to action
of heavy machinery, movement of animals and man on soil, etc. Soil
compaction prevents water from penetrating into the soil.
5. Application of fertilizers; misuse of fertilizers through excessive
application can alter the PH of the soil hence inhibiting plant growth.
6. Mining; this removes top soil which exposes sand. Top soil is always rich
in nutrients that support plant growth.
7. Poor disposal of wastes; this reduces soil aeration, drainage and water
retention.
8. Charcoal burning; this releases heat that kills soil microorganisms.
9. Bush burning; this leaves the land bear leading to soil erosion.
10. Deforestation; this leaves the land bear exposing it to agents of soil
erosion.
Other activities include; over cultivation, mono-cropping and other poor farming
methods.

SOIL CONSERVATION
This is the protection and careful management of soil to maintain its fertility. It
includes methods of controlling erosion and others such as:
Intercropping
Here, plants are alternately planted in a systematic or even random manner e.g.
coffee, beans, and banana can be intercropped.
Fallowing
Land is left to rest and grow back to bush.
Crop rotation
The farmer carefully rotates his crops season after season, so that the plants
make different demands on the soil.
Deep rooted crops like cassava are rotated with shallow rooted ones e.g.
ground nuts
Application of manure (organic manure)

1) Green manure;

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 These are green plants, mostly legumes which can be dug back into the soil.
However, any available green plants can do.

2) Farm yard manure;

This is from wastes of farm animals like urine and faeces when left become
manure. This improves the process of nitrification (addition of nitrates to the
soil) e.g. poultry dropping, goats, pigs, cows etc.

3) Compost manure;
This is made by collecting all available organic materials like chicken waste,
weeds, fresh leaves into a pit with alternating layers of soil, and leaving them
to rot. Water is added periodically to keep it moist for bacteria and fungi in
the soil speed up the process. When well decayed, the compost is spread over
the garden. Organic manure adds humus to the soil and maintains the crumb
Structure

4) Artificial fertilizers;
These are added directly. The most common element lacking in highly
cultivated soils are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They are supplied in
form of K2SO4, (NH4)2SO4 and calcium phosphate which lead to high yield.
THE NITROGEN CYCLE
Nitrogen is one of the elements that make up proteins. Nitrogen makes up to
80% of air but it is unreactive so cannot be used by plants and animals in its
elemental form. It becomes part of the bodies of organisms in a process
called the nitrogen cycle. The changing of nitrogen into more reactive forms
is called nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen fixation takes place during lightening, in the manufacture of artificial
fertilizers and in the metabolism of the nitrifying and nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Plants absorb nitrogen as ammonium salts or nitrates.
Animals obtain nitrogen they need by eating plants or other animals that have
eater plants
At death or by leaf fall, egestion, excretion (urine), the nitrogen of plants and
animals is returned to the soil
Nitrogen is in constant circulation between autotrophs, heterotrophs, and the
soil in atmosphere
Plants absorb nitrogen inform of nitrates and ammonium salts, for manufacture
or build up of proteins they require.
At death or by leaf fall, egestion, excretion (urine), the nitrogen of plants and
animals is returned to the soil.

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 THE CARBON CYCLE
Carbon is an element which occur in all elements that make up a living
organism. Carbon is therefore a major component of all organic matter.
Plants get carbon from the atmosphere in the air during the process of
photosynthesis. Plants use carbon to make food like starch. Starch is eaten by
animals to get energy.
When animals die, they decay and release the carbon and other nutrients in
the soil. The circulation of carbon in nature from the atmosphere into the
living organisms and back into the atmosphere forms the carbon cycle.

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 Removal of CO2 from the atmosphere:
Green plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere during the process of
photosynthesis.
Some of the CO2 in the atmosphere dissolves in rain water to form carbonic
acid. This acid reacts with soil mineral salts to form carbonates.
Addition of CO2 in the atmosphere: a) Combustion (burning)
When carbon containing fuels e.g. petroleum, coal, natural gas, fire wood are
burnt, CO2 is released into the atmosphere. Formation of such fuels over
millions of years is referred to as fossilisation.

b) Respiration in animals and plants.

c) Decomposition of organic matter by bacteria and fungi. During this
process, CO2 is released into the atmosphere.

The end

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