Investigation of the chemical properties
Grace, Alex, Andrea, Jane, Tony
School of Science and Technology, Singapore
Abstract
Soil has different chemical properties depending on where it is found. For example, Soil found nearer to the Sea may contain more sodium chloride while Soil found in a village may contain more Aluminium. Understanding the chemical properties of different types of soil can help scientist and famers decide which Fertilisers to supply the plants to enhance its growth. Identifying the chemicals in certain soils can answer many questions such as why some plants grow better than other plants, producing bigger and sweeter fruits. Using this knowledge, countries can allocate more fertile lands with more of the needed chemicals to farmers instead of letting them decide on the faming space themselves, which will waste space. we wanted to Find out which chemicals were in different soils found around the region, thus we decided to go on a ‘field trip’ to collect some soil samples from different parts of Mersing, Malaysia. The places we collected the samples were: the Beach, The stream and the village. Next, we decided to use the soil testing kit to test for the composition of the different chemicals in the different soil samples. We did so by following the instructions in the Soil testing kit. After testing the soil samples, we concluded that the composition of the soil in Mersing is different depending on whether there is civilisation near the area. We also found that none of the samples have mangoes, potassium or sulphate.
1. Introduction
1.1 Research Questions
What is the chemical composition of the soil at 3 locations within the Tg Leman area?
By chemical composition, we mean the percentage of each chemical in the soil.
These 3 locations are:
The beach
The stream
the village
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| Map 1: Soil sampling sites (Beach at Jetty, Stream, Village) |
The most important effect of pH in the soil is on ion solubility, which in turn affects microbial and plant growth. A pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal for most crops because it coincides with optimum solubility of the most important plant nutrients. Some minor elements (e.g., iron) and most heavy metals are more soluble at lower pH. This makes pH management important in controlling movement of heavy metals (and potential groundwater contamination) in soil. (boundless.com, 2016)
The chemical composition of the soil, the topography, and the presence of living organisms determines the quality of soil. In general, soil contains 40-45% inorganic matter, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air. In order to sustain plant life, the proper mix of air, water, minerals, and organic material is required. Humus, the organic material in soil, is composed of microorganisms (dead and alive) and decaying plants. The inorganic material of soil is composed of rock, which is broken down into small particles of sand (0.1 to 2 mm), silt (0.002 to 0.1 mm) , and clay (less than 0.002 mm). Loam is a soil that is a mix sand, silt, and humus. (BiologyDiscussion, 2013)
1.2 Hypothesis
We suspect that the levels of nitrogen will be low, the phosphorus and sulfur will be high and the calcium will be high as soil is usually more acidic, between 6-7 pH.
2. Methods
2.1 Equipment List
pipets x 18
universal extracting solution x 3 bottles
potassium reagent B tablets x 1 tube
potassium reagent C solution x 1 bottle
Phosphorus reagent 2 x 1 bottle
Phosphorus test tables x 5 sheets
nitrate reagent #1 solution x 1 bottle
nitrate reagent #2 powder x 1 bottle
HUMUS screening reagent powder x 1 bottle
thymol blue indicator x 1 bottle
Bromcresol green indicator x 1 bottle
Bromthymol blue indicator x 1 bottle
Chlorphenol Red Indicator x 1 bottle
Phenol Red Indicator x 1 bottle
calcium test solution x 1 bottle
soil flocculating x 1 bottle
spoon 0.05 grams x 1
spoon 5 grams x 1
aluminium test solution x 1 bottle
Chloride test solution x 1 bottle
Mangnese Periodate reagent x 1 bottle
2.2 Equipment setup
The equipment that we are using is the LAMOTTE 5010-01 STH-14 COMB SOIL OUTFIT.
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| Fig 3: LAMOTTE 5010-01 STH-14 COMB SOIL OUTFIT |
2.3 Procedures
The standard procedures are included in the LAMOTTE 5010-01 STH-14 COMB SOIL OUTFIT.
Therefore, it is not included in this report.
2.4 Risk Assessment and Management
2.5 Data Analysis
We conducted the experiment with different soil samples using the soil sampler kit. We will then record the results of each experiment after we do the testing. We will plot the table with the first row being the independent variable, which is the soil sample, and the dependant variables which are the different chemicals. For the results, we will plot down in that same table the corresponding values for that chemical in that certain soil. After which, we will draw conclusions and look for anomalies
3. Results
The results of our experiment are as shown below:
4. Discussion
4.1 Key Findings & Analysis of results
We found that in all the chemicals, only ferric iron was found in the village but not in the stream or the beach. We also found that for nitrite nitrogen, only the stream sample did not have any Nitrite nitrogen but the beach and the village both had nitrite nitrogen. some anomalies were that none of the locations we collected samples at had potassium, manganese or sulphate. We conclude that the soil is basically NOT fertile in all 3 locations and are not really suitable for cultivation unless extensive soil treatment is undertaken.
4.2 Explanation of key findings
Ferric iron is rusted iron or metal, thus if no no littered near or if we did not collect metal litter in the sample, the stream and beach samples would not have ferric iron, thus explaining the results. The village may have people littering and could have metal litter that we picked up in the sample thus the village sample has ferric iron while the other 2 do not.
4.3 Evaluation of Hypothesis
Our Hypothesis was slightly off as the pH values for al of the soil samples were too high as they were all more than 7 while we expected it to be 6-7 pH value. This could be because the methods we used may not have been correct and other impurities may have gotten in as a result of a poor working space.
4.4 Areas for improvement
We could have been allocated more time for our experimentation as we had many experiments to do thus we took a long time and had to rush to finish. A cleaner akin bigger work place space could also be provided so that we get more reliable results as other chemicals found on the floor, where we were working could have affected the results.
5. Conclusions
5.1 Practical Applications
Using the newly formed understandings, we can use it to understand which soils to use to grow vegetation to produce the best results. For example, we can measure the pH value of the soil and if it is 6-7, it is good soil to grow vegetation on and will produce bigger and sweeter fruits because the soil conditions are good.
5.2 Areas for further study
Understanding the chemical properties of different types of soil can help scientist and famers decide which Fertilisers to supply the plants to enhance its growth. Identifying the chemicals in certain soils can answer many questions such as why some plants grow better than other plants, producing bigger and sweeter fruits. Using this knowledge, countries can allocate more fertile lands with more of the needed chemicals to farmers instead of letting them decide on the faming space themselves, which will waste space.
References
BiologyDiscussion (2013). Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil. Retrieved 02 Jun 2016 from http://www.biologydiscussion.com/soil/physical-and-chemical-properties-of-soil/7220
Boundless Biology (26 May 2016). Soil Composition. Retrieved 02 Jun 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/soil-and-plant-nutrition-31/the-soil-187/soil-composition-712-11936/
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