Escuela San Gabriel de Colegio de San

Gabriel
Arcangel Foundation, Inc. Arcangel of
Caloocan, Inc.
Phase 10 Package 6 Blk 1 Lots 2-4, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City
Tel. #734-9511/785-6950

GRADE 11/12 EARTH SCIENCE

MIDTERM MODULE 3-4: SOIL RESOURCES AND HUMAN WASTE

🎯YOUR GOALS:
After completing the learning activities for this lesson, you are expected to:
 recognize what soil is and why it is an important resource
 identify human activities, such as farming, construction of structures, and waste disposal, that
affect the quality and quantity of soil
 describe how people generate different types of waste as they use various materials and
resources, and
 explain how different types of waste affect people’s health and the environment

YOUR INITIAL TASK:

Before we start our lesson, are you familiar with this symbol? Discuss what it means.
 YOUR DISCUSSION TEXT:

Soil is an essential component of Earth that has enabled life to exist on the planet and continues to
support it. It forms the pedosphere-the foundation of terrestrial life on this planet. The term is derived from
the Greek words “pedon” which means soil and “sfaira” which means sphere.

THE COMPONENTS OF SOIL

Soil is made from portions of the geosphere,

atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. It is generally
composed of 45% mineral (gravel, san, silt and clay)
25% air, 25% water and 5% organic matter (humus,
roots and dead and decaying organisms).

Figure 1. Soil is composed of a

matrix of minerals, water, air
ad organic matter.

SOIL FORMATION
Soil forms when rock weathers. Weathering or the process of breaking down of rocks, may result from
physical or chemical changes. Soil formation may be a slow or a rapid process, depending on the factors at
play.

Factor that affects soil formation:

 Parent material – it affects the chemistry and the type of soil that will be formed
 Climate – temperature, rainfall and moisture affect the pattern and intensity of soil-forming processes
 Topography – the gradient of the slope affects the waterflow and erosion
 Biological factors – organisms such as plants, animals, microorganisms and humans affect soil
formation
 Time – formation of soil is a long and continuous process which depends on the climate and
environment

Soil formation is a gradual process which involves development of a succession of zines or soil horizons. Each
horizon has distinct set of physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The sequence of soil horizons from
the surface down to the underlying bedrock is called soil profile. Soil profiles vary depending on climate,
topography, rock type or parent materials, biological activity and time.

SOIL ORDERS
Soil scientists developed a soil classification system to identify, understand, and manage soils. The most
general level of classification is the soil order consisting of 12 types.

1. Gelisols – frozen soils found in the coldest regions of Earth

2. Histosols – high organic content and wet
3. Spodosols – sandy and acidic soils found in moist climates that often support dense forests
 4. Andisols – composed of volcanic ash
5. Oxisols – very weathered and common in tropical
climates
6. Vertisols – claylike soils that shrink and swell
7. Aridisols – very dry soils in arid regions
8. Ultisols – weathered soils
9. Mollisols – deep fertile soils
10. Alfisols – moderately weathered productive soils
found in the temperate and humid regions
11. Inceptisols – slightly developed, young soils found
on steep slopes and mountain ranges
12. Entisols – Newly-formed soils found in steep rocky
Figure 2. Soil classification and taxonomy
lands

SOIL QUALITY
Soil is a main component of land resources, agriculture and ecological sustainability. It also provides food
and foundation for shelter. Soil is important in sustaining mans existence and provides humans with the
following services:
1. Arable land for agriculture
2. Regulating water and filtering potential pollutants
3. Nutrient cycling
4. Foundation and support
5. Mineral deposit

ACTIVITIES AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF SOIL

Soil is non-renewable resource which is generally not recoverable within a human lifespan. The increasing
demands of an increasing population put pressure on the worlds soil resources. Humans have practices that
can alter the quality and quantity of soil.
1. Intensive agriculture
2. Use of organic fertilizers
3. Overgrazing
4. Mining
5. Urbanization
6. Improper Waste Disposal

SOIL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION

Practicing ways to conserve soil will help protect this important natural resource and provide a solution for
one of the most important environmental issues. There are several methods of soil conservation that can be
adapted in agriculture, at home and community.
1. Conservation tillage – is a method of reducing the number of times field are tilled or plowed in a year.
2. Terracing – using the topography of the land to slow down the flow of water through graduated steps.
3. Contour farming – instead of arranging the crops in vertical rows, they are planted following the
contour of the land.
4. Keeping the soil covered and vegetated – ground cover and vegetation protects the soil, provides
habitat for larger soil organisms and can improve water availability.
5. Reducing erosion and soil compaction – plant trees and shrubs to act as windbreaks which prevent
erosion and restricting human activities to designated areas and pathways prevents Soil compaction.
 Figure 3. Contour farming is the practice of tilling sloped Figure 4. Terrace farming is a method of farming whereby
land along lines of consistent elevation in order to conserve “steps” known as terraces are built onto the slopes of hills
rainwater and to reduce soil losses from surface erosion. and mountains to prevent washing away of soil nutrients
by the rains.

HUMAN WASTES
We are gifted with various resources that are necessary for life on the planet. But some of our
practices only result to wasting these resources. The wastes produced through the different activities can be in
from of solid, liquid and gas. If these problems will remain unsolved, wastes will be a threat to the future of
the environment.

Solid Wastes
 Municipal Solid Waste – includes thrash or garbage from households, schools, offices, marketplaces,
restaurants and other public places. They include every day items like food remains, worn out shoes
and bags, cans and plastics, water bottles, broken appliances and used clothing.
 Medical and Clinical Waste – produced from healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, veterinary
facilities and laboratories. They are also considered hazardous wastes. They include surgical items like
disposal needles and blades, drugs and medicines, blood and removed body parts.
 Agricultural Waste – produced from agricultural activities like plant cultivation, fruit growing, seed
growing, livestock breeding, vegetable gardens and seeding banks. Waste items may include pesticide
containers, old food casings, expired medicines and wormers, fruit pods and corn husks.
 Industrial Waste – comes from industries manufacturing various products like glass, leather metal food
and plastic.
 Construction and Demolition Waste – waste resulted from the construction of roads and buildings.
This includes concrete debris, wood, rocks, cement bags and other building materials.
 Electronic Waste – from electronic and electrical devices like computers and home appliances that are
no longer working. They are called E-waste or waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Liquid Wastes
 Liquid Waste from residential Areas or Domestic Wastewater
 Liquid Waste from Commercial Areas
 Liquid Waste from Industries
 Landfill Leachate – reaction of rainwater and deposited material in landfills forms a mixture of
hydrocarbons. This results when landfill gas cools in the gas collection system and forms a liquid waste.
Gaseous Waste
 Gaseous Wastes from Factories and Industrial Areas
 Gaseous Wastes from Vehicles

Figure 5. Human Wastes. Solid, liquid and gaseous

waste.

EFFECTS OF WASTES ON PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT

Environment refers to everything that surrounds a living organism, including physical factors such a s
air, water and soil and biological factors such as other living organisms. Wastes materials have great impact to
the environment and to the health of the public.

Solid waste is an eyesore to the environment. It also

clogs drainage system that result to stagnant water
or floods during rainy seasons. It can cause water
contamination and natural habitat degradation.
Some solid wastes are considered as hazardous
waste such as medical waste which can greatly
impact human health.

Liquid waste causes surface water contamination

and eutrophication (rapid growth in population of
bacteria and algae in rivers and lakes). Bathing in
contaminated water causes people to be at risk of
getting sick due to bacteria and viruses. Liquid waste
also contaminates living organisms in water such as
fishes and shellfish which are foods for humans.
Figure 6. Boracay in 2018

Gaseous waste also creates harmful effects on the environment and human health which can cause
respiratory illnesses. Refer in Figure 6, it shows an actual image of Boracay environment in 2018 which lead to
temporary closure of the place for tourist.
METHODS OF WASTE DISPOSAL
1. Landfill – cheapest and most convenient method. A typical solid waste landfill is constructed above an
impermeable clay layer that is lined with an impermeable membrane. Every deposit of fresh garbage is
covered with layer of soil to prevent it form blowing around.
2. Incineration – the waste material being treated is converted to gas, particles and heat. These products
are later used to generate electricity. These gases must be treated again to eradicate pollutants before
they are release to the atmosphere.
3. Mulch and compost – one of the simplest methods to dispose waste at homes. Composting is the
method allowing the natural process of decomposition to transform organic materials into humuslike
material called compost.
4. Source reduction – refers to the method of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, using and reusing
materials so that the amount of waste of its toxicity is reduced.
5. Recycling – the method of collecting throwaway materials and turning them into useful products.

Figure 7. Waste
management
hierarchy of
options

Sources:
 Breaking Through Earth Science by Corazon N. Felicita
 Exploring Life Through Science: Earth Science by Jose Tolentino Olivar II, et. al
 YOUR REINFORCEMENT TASKS:

Since we are already done with the discussion, lets now check your understanding by answering the following
tasks.

TASK 1: Complete the Table.

Directions: Cite some examples of different kinds of solid, liquid and gaseous waste.

Types of Wastes Examples

1. Solid Waste 1.

2.

3.

2. Liquid Waste 1.

2.

3.

3. Gaseous Waste 1.

2.

3.
TASK 2:
Directions: In the space provided before the number, Write POSITIVE if the following activity helps in soil conservation,
and write NEGATIVE if the said activity have negative impacts on the quality of soil.

______________1. Avoiding excessive tillage

______________2. Planting trees
______________3. Construction of buildings
______________4. Mining
______________5. Improper waste disposal
______________6. Keeping the soil covered
______________7. Increasing soil organic matter
______________8. Terrace farming
______________9. Contour farming
______________10. Monitor grazing
 YOUR ENRICHMENT TASK:

#1 REFLECTIVE WRITING
Compose a letter addressed to your local officials expressing your sentiments about the degradation of
the environment due to improper waste disposal. Feel free to express your own suggestions on how to solve
the problems in your community.