When planting, it is useful to know your soil density.
Soil is a porous mixture, made up of rock fragments, organic materials, water and air. Soil density is a measurement of the compaction of soil. This data is collected by the scientific analysis of soil samples in a laboratory. The purpose of soil density measurement is to provide data for use by farmers, engineers, builders and scientists to determine suitable and safe usages for land. Does this Spark an idea?
Farmers
Farmers buying new land want to know the state of the soil. Soil bulk density, or dry bulk density, indicates how much air and water is present in the soil. The measurement of soil density is calculated by dividing the weight of dry soil by total soil volume. An experienced farmer can tell the soil's quality and condition from this data. He uses this information to plan which crops to plant and water them. He will also be able to predict how much fertilizer he must use, since air breaks down nutrients within the soil structure. More compacted soil contains less air, which will require increased applications of fertilizer. Soil density measurement allows a farmer to calculate overall costs and decide if the land is a good investment.
Construction
The land underneath buildings must be strong enough and of the correct type to support the structures. Before any building takes place, scientific measurements of the soil density are taken to ensure building safety and determine what type of structure, if any, can be built. Silty and sandy soils which compress quickly under loading, soils that shrink and expand, "man-made" soils, or plots where a backhoe has filled holes with rubble or trash are all poor choices for building structures. Soil density measurements will identify these issues.
Scientific Classification of Soils
Scientists analyze soil samples to classify soil types. To do this, they conduct laboratory experiments to determine the size of soil particles. The bulk density measurement of soil is used to determine the size of soil particles. Clay soils have the smallest particles, followed by silty soils. Sandy soils have the largest particles. This information is not standardized throughout the world, but most countries use a system similar to that in the United States, which is based on particle size. These systems are used to convey information to other scientists about the condition of the soil at any given location.
Earthquake Risk Analysis
An important use of soil density measurement is found in the work of earthquake risk analysis. Soils come under great stress during earthquakes. The ability to predict how soils will react during an earthquake saves lives. Local governments can identify populations at risk by knowing what kind of soil is in an area. Soft, sandy and silty soils have the potential to change from a solid to a liquid under the pressures exerted by earthquakes. The process, called "liquefaction," occurs when soft soils are compressed. Soils at risk of this process are less dense and can be identified by soil density measurements.
Tags: density measurement, soil density, bulk density, soils have, density measurements
