LESSON 3

I will be discussing and presenting the things that I’ve learned in Module 3:
Weathering, Soil Erosion, and Surface Processes.

To start with, Weathering is the process by which the rocks and other parts of the
geosphere are broken down into smaller pieces, by the action of rainwater, extremes of
temperature, and biological activity. It does not involve the removal of rock material and
does not use any agent such as water and wind for transportation or movement.

So basically, there are two types of weathering, these are mechanical weathering
and chemical weathering. Mechanical Weathering or also known as physical weathering
or disintegration is the process by which big rocks are broken down into smaller ones
without involving chemical change. Abrasion is the primary process in physical
weathering. Other processes includes thermal stress and exfoliation.

The next one is Chemical weathering, a process that involves chemical change
that changes the molecular structure of rocks and soil. The types of chemical
weathering includes: Solution, Hydration, Hydrolysis, and Oxidation.

Weathering is said to be a natural process, but human activities can speed it up

Now, let’s go to erosion, Erosion is the process by which soil and rock particles
are move from one place to another through the help of agents such as wind, water or
ice. Soil erosion are one of the reasons for the deadly floods that are occurring all
throughout the world. It tends to affect the economy as well due to decreased crop
yields and soil fertility. To prevent this, we are encouraged to Use Soil-friendly
Agricultural Practices, Offer Incentives for Land Management, and Prevention and
rehabilitation.
LESSON 4

Soils are fundamental to life on Earth. The soil has layers/horizons. These are
(O, A, B, C, R).O – (humus and organic) Mostly organic matter such as decomposing
leaves. A - (topsoil). The seeds germinate and roots of the plants grow. B - (subsoil)
Rich in minerals and is harder and compact than topsoil. C - (parent material) The
deposit at Earth’s surface from which the soil developed. R - (bedrock) made up of
stones and rocks, so it is very hard.

Soil can be categorized into sand, clay, silt, chalk and loam. Sandy soil. Sandy
Soil is light, warm, dry. Clay Soil. Clay Soil is a heavy soil type. Silt Soil. Silt Soil is a
light soil with a high fertility rating. Chalk Soil. Chalk soil is always highly alkaline due to
the calcium carbonate. Loam Soil. Loam soil is a fertile mixture of sand, silt and clay.

Soil composition is an important aspect of nutrient management. The typical soil

There are three soil components – Clay, Sand, and Silt. Clay is the smallest
mineral component. Sand makes up the largest particles in soil structure. Silt represents
the middle size pieces. Loam is the combination of these three particles and is
considered the ideal garden soil.

Soil Conservation refers to handful of techniques that aims to preserve the soil.
Crop Rotation, Cover Cropping and Mulching, Conservation Tillage.

ANSWERS: Module 3

In general, the process of erosion and weathering happens at all tall points on
the Earth. The formation of mountains and the process of eroding them takes millions of
years. Weathering and Erosion takes a big role why the Appalachian Mountains in
Eastern North America which was once taller that Mt. Everest is gradually decreasing its
height. The process of weathering gradually break the rocks and various parts of the
summit into smaller ones. Through wind and water, as agents of transportation and
movement, these disintegrated rocks are carried away through the process of erosion,
thus eroding the mountain tops and peaks. This is what happened to the Appalachian
Mountains. This process of weathering and erosion is being experienced by Mt. Everest
as well. In fact, according to UCSB Science Line, Mt. Everest, loses about 3 millimeters
each year to erosion, which is about 0.1 inches. Millions of years from now, considering
the possible effects of weathering and soil erosion, Mt. Everest will also end up
experiencing a tremendous decrease in its height or peak. In conclusion, Weathering
and Erosion associates in turning tall mountains into hills and even plains.

1.) The production of corn in the stunning place of Batabat, Maayon, Capiz, is a typical
example of what we call as “monocropping”. It refers to the practice of growing the
same crop on the same plot of land, year after year. This is a great risk for the
occurrence of what we call “soil depletion”. Soil depletion occurs when the components
which contribute to fertility are removed and not replaced. Soil depletion can be due to
excessively intense cultivation and inadequate soil management thus leading to poor
crop yields. Since the production of corn in Batabat is said to be excessively intense or
it is repeatedly done year after year, it gradually removes the fertility of the soil which
depletes the soil of nutrients (making the soil less productive over time) and reduces
organic matter in soil.

2.) The process of weathering and erosion is said to be happening anywhere and
everywhere in our planet. In our province and in my municipality, the place which I think
experiences these is the Panay River. Rivers are not an exemption when it comes to
weathering and erosion. The rocks are broken down and the river bed and banks are
being wearied away. Air becomes trapped in the cracks in the rock of the river bank and
bed, and causes the rock to break apart. Water and wind will then erode these parts
thus affecting the community. People around these areas are forced to leave their
homes and transfer to a much safer place. Living in these areas increases the risk of
jeopardy in their lives as anytime, it can erode dramatically. As an Earth Warrior, I can
help my place and my environment by planting trees like mangroves. Far reaching roots
hold soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater, which reduce
runoff and sediment deposit after storms. They help the groundwater supply recharge,
prevent the transport of chemicals into streams and prevent flooding.

MODULE 4
 Topsoil is so important in farming and gardening because it contains all the
nutrients that plants need to survive. It is where seeds germinate and grow. If we
wanted to grow plants, good topsoil is absolutely essential. In fact, according to a
source, topsoil is vital as the world needs it to produce 95% of food.

1.) A
2.) D
3.) D
4.) B
5.) A

Description

Each jar contains 3 different types of soil with different components and distinct
layers. These are the Clay, Silt, and Sandy soils.

The first jar is classified as Clay Soil. When the Clay Soil with water settled, the
soil composition by volume will be clearly observed. It is composed of 50%-100% of
Clay, 0%-45% of Silt, and 0%-45% of Sand. It is a heavy type of soil that benefits from
high nutrients. Because of the spaces that are found between clay particles, it holds a
high amount of water.

The second jar is classified as Silt Soil. When the Silt Soil with water settled, the
soil composition by volume will be clearly observed. It is composed of 10%-30% of Clay,
30%-50% of Silt, and 25%-50% of Sand. It is a light and moisture retentive type of soil
with a high fertility rating. As the particles are fine, they can be easily compacted and
are prone to washing away with rain.

The third and last jar is classified as Sandy Soil. When the Sandy Soil with water
settled, the soil composition by volume will be clearly observed. It is composed of 0%-
10% of Clay, 0%-10% of Silt, and 80%-100% of Sand. It is a light, warm, dry, acidic, and
low in nutrients. These soils have quick water drainage which means that it can easily
remove excess water.

On the other hand, the soil that has been subjected to my experiment is
classified as Sandy type of soil. As what I’ve observed in the soil sample that settled
after putting water, the Sandy soil dominated the Mason jar. It contains little amount of
clay, and then followed by silt.