Question 4 (a) Two soil samples have identical mass and volume of M-170 g and V
ID: 116395 • Letter: Q
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Question 4 (a) Two soil samples have identical mass and volume of M-170 g and V 81.9 cm. Other characteristics include Sample 1 : moisture content (mass basis) w 20% · specific gravity (solid particles) G-265 moisture content (mass basis) w = 25% specific gravity (solid particles) G-2.90 Sample 2: · Which sample has the higher degree of saturation? (7 marks) (b) For sample 1 described in question (a) above convert the moisture content (mass basis) to moisture content (volume basis) (4 marks) (c) A deposit has been identified as potentially acid sulphate soil. If this deposit was to be exposed to the atmosphere, outline measures that could be taken to limit potential damage, from changes in the soil, to the natural or built environment. (4 marks)Explanation / Answer
(a) The specific gravity of solid particle is greater in Sample no. 2 as compared to sample no.1, and since the mass and volume of both the sample is equal which makes the overall densities of both the sample equal by using the formiula:
density = mass/volume
= 2.075g/cc(for both the sample)
Since the moisture content of both the sample is 20% and 25% respectively for sample 1 and sample 2 therefore sample no. 2 has high degree of saturation(the degree or extent to which something is dissolved or absorbed compared with the maximum possible, usually expressed as a percentage).
(b) Moisture content in grams for sample no. 1 is 20/100*170 = 34grams
Moisture content in grams for sample no. 2 is 25/100*170 = 42.5grams
Density of moisture (water) = 1g/cc
volume of moisture (water) = mass of moisture (water)/Density of moisture (water, 1g/cc)
volume of sample 1 = 34/1= 34cc
In percentage = (34/170)*100= 20%
volume of sample 2 = 42.5/1= 42.5cc
In percentage = (42.5/170)*100= 25%
(c) The most easy and economical way of protection from acid sulphate soil is to treat it with mix an alkaline material into the soil, where it can react with acidity and neutralise it. Agricultural lime (powdered calcium carbonate—CaCO3) is the most common neutralising material in use. Apart from this other measures can be like aligning and designing linear infrastructure in tidal areas so that natural water flows (both surface and groundwater) are not blocked, making farm and urban drains broad and shallow so they don't dig into buried acid sulfate soil layers, but can still remove excess surface water efficiently.
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