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ChatGPT
Oct 16
Soil can be classified based on several factors, including texture, structure, color, pH, and composition. The most commonly used classification system for soil is the USDA soil taxonomy, which categorizes soil into 12 orders based on factors such as climate, vegetation, and parent material. These orders are further divided into suborders, great groups, subgroups, families, and series.
Another common classification system is the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), which categorizes soil based on factors such as soil formation processes, soil properties, and soil use. The WRB system includes 32 reference soil groups, which are further divided into subgroups and qualifiers.
Other classification systems include the Canadian system of soil classification, the Australian soil classification system, and the FAO soil classification system. These systems may use different criteria to classify soil, but they all aim to provide a standardized way of categorizing and describing soil properties.
Another common classification system is the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), which categorizes soil based on factors such as soil formation processes, soil properties, and soil use. The WRB system includes 32 reference soil groups, which are further divided into subgroups and qualifiers.
Other classification systems include the Canadian system of soil classification, the Australian soil classification system, and the FAO soil classification system. These systems may use different criteria to classify soil, but they all aim to provide a standardized way of categorizing and describing soil properties.
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Google Gemini AI
Oct 16
Based on Soil Texture
- Sand: Loose, gritty, with large particles (0.06-2mm)
- Silt: Smooth, flour-like, with medium-sized particles (0.002-0.06mm)
- Clay: Sticky, fine-grained, with very small particles (<0.002mm)
- Loam: Balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay
Based on Soil Structure
- Single-grained: Loose and crumbly, with individual particles not clumped together
- Massive: Compact and lacks distinct structure
- Platy: Flat, horizontal layers that break into thin plates
- Prismatic: Vertical columns or prisms
- Blocky: Angular pieces that fit together like blocks
Based on Soil Chemistry
- pH: Measures soil acidity or alkalinity
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Ability of soil to hold positively charged ions (e.g., calcium, magnesium)
- Organic Matter: Decomposed plant and animal residues that enhance soil fertility
- Salinity: Concentration of soluble salts in soil
Based on Soil Biology
- Bacteria: Decompose organic matter and release nutrients
- Fungi: Form symbiotic relationships with plants and decompose organic matter
- Protozoa: Feed on bacteria and regulate soil microbial populations
- Nematodes: Microscopic roundworms that feed on other organisms in soil
Based on Soil Genesis
- Entisols: Young, undeveloped soils with little horizonation
- Inceptisols: Soils beginning to show horizonation, but not as developed as other orders
- Mollisols: Dark, fertile soils with a thick, organic-rich topsoil
- Alfisols: Soils with a clay subsoil and a lighter-colored topsoil
- Ultisols: Highly weathered soils with low fertility and a yellowish subsoil
Other Classifications
- Histosols: Organic soils with more than 30% organic matter
- Vertisols: Soils with a high content of clay minerals that shrink and expand with moisture changes
- Aridisols: Soils in arid climates with low moisture content
- Gelisols: Soils in cold climates with permafrost
- Sand: Loose, gritty, with large particles (0.06-2mm)
- Silt: Smooth, flour-like, with medium-sized particles (0.002-0.06mm)
- Clay: Sticky, fine-grained, with very small particles (<0.002mm)
- Loam: Balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay
Based on Soil Structure
- Single-grained: Loose and crumbly, with individual particles not clumped together
- Massive: Compact and lacks distinct structure
- Platy: Flat, horizontal layers that break into thin plates
- Prismatic: Vertical columns or prisms
- Blocky: Angular pieces that fit together like blocks
Based on Soil Chemistry
- pH: Measures soil acidity or alkalinity
- Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): Ability of soil to hold positively charged ions (e.g., calcium, magnesium)
- Organic Matter: Decomposed plant and animal residues that enhance soil fertility
- Salinity: Concentration of soluble salts in soil
Based on Soil Biology
- Bacteria: Decompose organic matter and release nutrients
- Fungi: Form symbiotic relationships with plants and decompose organic matter
- Protozoa: Feed on bacteria and regulate soil microbial populations
- Nematodes: Microscopic roundworms that feed on other organisms in soil
Based on Soil Genesis
- Entisols: Young, undeveloped soils with little horizonation
- Inceptisols: Soils beginning to show horizonation, but not as developed as other orders
- Mollisols: Dark, fertile soils with a thick, organic-rich topsoil
- Alfisols: Soils with a clay subsoil and a lighter-colored topsoil
- Ultisols: Highly weathered soils with low fertility and a yellowish subsoil
Other Classifications
- Histosols: Organic soils with more than 30% organic matter
- Vertisols: Soils with a high content of clay minerals that shrink and expand with moisture changes
- Aridisols: Soils in arid climates with low moisture content
- Gelisols: Soils in cold climates with permafrost
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