Soil testing is a very important procedure for agricultural and lawn-making processes. There are several different processes that can be used to test the suitability of soil for agricultural processes. Some of these methods are very comprehensive and can only be conducted in a laboratory setting. Others however, are very simple and can be conducted on-site. When in need of Soil Testing California should be visited.
In case an individual has purposed to put their land on large scale farming activities, more extensive soil assessments should be done. However, in case the aim is small scale farming or lawn development, a simple sample test is sufficient. Soil analysis is normally done to ascertain the various elements found in soils like silt/clay and sand fractions. These tests also measure malleability of the soils.
Finding out the properties of soils is important in order to determine stabilization procedures. Some tests are really simple. Examples of simple tests are smell, shine, color appearance, thread rolling, and hand moulding tests. Smell test usually involves applying water to a sample and if it emits a musty odor, it means that it contains organic materials. Organic materials are usually good for agricultural purposes, but soils that contain it are unsuitable for block making.
The color appearance test is equally important. A sample containing dark like matter is an indication of the presence of organic matter. When the sample has light brown to black hue, it implies that even though it has some organic matter, it can be stabilized. Soils that contain iron oxide are normally reddish or dark brown in color. Yellow color in a sample is an indication of lime-based elements. However, the color appearance test does not always work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
Thread rolling test involves adding enough amount of water to a sample so that it can be moulded by hand easily. The sample is then rolled out with the palm of the hand on a flat clean surface. If the sample can be reduced to a diameter of 3 mm, then it means that it has a high composition of clay.
On the contrary, if the sample breaks before reaching 3 mm in diameter, then it means that it has some amount of sand. The plastic limit of the sample can also be determined using this method. Hand moulding test is done to determine the mouldability and adhesion of the sample in question.
All the mentioned tests are normally preliminary and can be conducted on-site in the field. In case more extensive testing is needed, samples should be taken to a laboratory for additional tests to be done. To determine different elements and properties, different tests are done for each.
In case an individual has purposed to put their land on large scale farming activities, more extensive soil assessments should be done. However, in case the aim is small scale farming or lawn development, a simple sample test is sufficient. Soil analysis is normally done to ascertain the various elements found in soils like silt/clay and sand fractions. These tests also measure malleability of the soils.
Finding out the properties of soils is important in order to determine stabilization procedures. Some tests are really simple. Examples of simple tests are smell, shine, color appearance, thread rolling, and hand moulding tests. Smell test usually involves applying water to a sample and if it emits a musty odor, it means that it contains organic materials. Organic materials are usually good for agricultural purposes, but soils that contain it are unsuitable for block making.
The color appearance test is equally important. A sample containing dark like matter is an indication of the presence of organic matter. When the sample has light brown to black hue, it implies that even though it has some organic matter, it can be stabilized. Soils that contain iron oxide are normally reddish or dark brown in color. Yellow color in a sample is an indication of lime-based elements. However, the color appearance test does not always work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
Thread rolling test involves adding enough amount of water to a sample so that it can be moulded by hand easily. The sample is then rolled out with the palm of the hand on a flat clean surface. If the sample can be reduced to a diameter of 3 mm, then it means that it has a high composition of clay.
On the contrary, if the sample breaks before reaching 3 mm in diameter, then it means that it has some amount of sand. The plastic limit of the sample can also be determined using this method. Hand moulding test is done to determine the mouldability and adhesion of the sample in question.
All the mentioned tests are normally preliminary and can be conducted on-site in the field. In case more extensive testing is needed, samples should be taken to a laboratory for additional tests to be done. To determine different elements and properties, different tests are done for each.
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