Compare two soils with respect to aeration and drainage, the rate of infiltratio

Question

Compare two soils with respect to aeration and drainage, the rate of infiltration, shrinking and swelling properties, and water holding capacity. Briefly explain your answer.

The two soils are (1-Fine sand) (2-sandy loam)

Percentage of Sand = amount of sand (grams)/total weight (grams) * 100%

93.81 %

61.75 %

Percentage of Clay = Corrected 2 hour hydrometer reading (grams)/ total weight (grams) * 100%

5.323 %

9.917 %

Percentage of Silt = 100% - (%sand + %clay)

0.867 %

28.33 %

Percentage of Sand = amount of sand (grams)/total weight (grams) * 100%

93.81 %

61.75 %

Percentage of Clay = Corrected 2 hour hydrometer reading (grams)/ total weight (grams) * 100%

5.323 %

9.917 %

Percentage of Silt = 100% - (%sand + %clay)

0.867 %

28.33 %

Explanation / Answer

Aeration: Aeration of fine sand is better than sandy loam. This is because sandy loam contains greater percentage of clay than fine sand. Clay exhibits poor aeration.

Drainage: Drainage of sandy loam is lesser than that of fine sand. This is because fine sand contains lesser percentage of clay than than sandy loam.

Rate of infiltration: This is better in fine sand than in sandy loam because rate of infiltration is better in continuously porous particles. Sand is porous and the percentage of sand is greater in fine sand

Swelling and shrinking property: Presence of clay contributes to the swelling and shrinking property of soils. Thus, sandy loam (which has a greater percentage of clay than fine sand) has greater shrinking and swelling property than fine sand.

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