Soil Characterization Protocols:

Field Analysis

Introduction

• We Study Soil Because It's A...
• Soil Forming Factors
• Soil Characterization
• Characterization and Sampling Options

Instruments for Field Analysis

• Instruments for digging the pit or hole and conducting initial horizon identification
• Instruments for conducting Bulk Density and field protocols
• Instruments for recording data about soil profile
• Preparing for the field

 

Finding and Describing Horizons

• Soil Pit Technique
• Exposed Profile (Road Cut) Technique
• Auger Technique
• Surface Sample Technique

Horizon Properties

• Soil Structure
• Soil Color
• Munsell Notation
• Hue
• Value
• Chroma
• Soil Consistence
• Soil Texture part 1
• Soil Texture part 2
• Soil Texture part 3
• Soil Texture part 4
• Presence of Roots and Rocks
• Test for Free Carbonates

Soil Sampling

• Taking Bulk Density Samples Using the Soil Pit or Other Exposed Soil Profile
• Taking Bulk Density Samples Using the Soil Pit or Other Exposed Soil Profile, part 2
• Taking Bulk Density Samples Using the Auger Method
• Taking Bulk Density Samples Using the Auger Method, part 2
• Taking Bulk Density Samples Using the Surface Sample Method
• If You Are Not Taking Bulk Density Samples and Using the Soil Pit or Other Exposed Road Cut Profile
• If You Are Not Taking Bulk Density Samples and Using the Auger Method
• If You Are Not Taking Bulk Density Samples and Using the Surface Sample Method

Final Analysis Conclusion

• When You Are Finished Sampling

Laboratory Analysis

Characterization Laboratory Analysis

• Introduction

Instruments for Laboratory Analysis

• Drying and Sieving
• Testing for Bulk Density
• Testing for Particle-Size Distribution
• Testing for pH
• Testing for Soil Fertility

Laboratory Analysis Protocols

• Measuring Bulk Density and Preparing Samples for Other Lab Analyses
• Determining the Volume of Any Rocks That Are in a Sample
• Preparing Samples for Other Lab Analyses (If You Are Not Measuring Bulk Density)
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 1
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 2
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 3
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 4
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 5
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 6
• Particle-Size Distribution, part 7
• Making Sense of the Particle-Size Distribution Measurements, part 1
• Making Sense of the Particle-Size Distribution Measurements, part 2
• pH Measurements
• Soil Fertility: Introduction 
• Soil Fertility: Preparation and Extraction
• Soil Fertility: Nitrate Nitrogen (N)
• Soil Fertility: Phosphorus (P)
• Soil Fertility: Potassium (K)
• Soil Particle Density: Introduction
• Soil Particle Density: Introduction part 2
• Soil Particle Density: Introduction and comparision between bulk density and particle density
• Soil Particle Density, part 1
• Soil Particle Density, part 2
• Soil Particle Density, part 3