Understanding Soil: Composition, Formation, and Uses
Definition and Importance of Soil
Soil can be defined as a geological layer, fragmented and of varying thickness, overlying the Earth’s crust. It results from the mechanical or chemical weathering of preexisting rock.
Land Use and Fragility
Uses:
- Support of vegetation
- Foundation for buildings
- Location of septic tanks
- Source of mineral resources
Fragility:
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Overexploitation
- Impoverishment of fertility
Composition and Structure of Soil
- Inorganic: Includes air (oxygen and CO2), water, and minerals
Landforms and Climatic Phenomena: Definitions
Landforms and Climatic Phenomena
V CLIMAX: Optimal state of balance, relatively stable between vegetation and soil and the corresponding wildlife without human intervention. Final stage of total forest adaptation to their environment.
MAQUIS: The maquis is a dense, almost impenetrable shrubbery, sometimes reaching over two feet high. It originates from the degradation of forest soils and siliceous waterproof areas. In the maquis, there are junipers, mastic, isolated thickets of pine and oak, broom,
Read MoreWastewater Treatment: Processes and Technologies
Wastewater Treatment and Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering is the branch of engineering that focuses on protecting the environment from the harmful effects of human activity. It is mainly oriented towards managing and reducing the impact of issues such as waste.
Environmental Biotechnology applies modern biological processes to protect and restore environmental quality.
Coliform are indicator organisms found in the intestinal tract, indicating the presence of fecal contamination.
Wastewater
Read MoreIntermediate and Acidic Magmatic Rocks: Composition, Structures, and Occurrence
Intermediate Rocks
Intermediate rocks have a SiO2 content of 52-63%. They can contain up to 40% modal quartz.
Composition:
- Mafic Minerals: A few mafic minerals, such as MgO and FeO.
- Plagioclase: Sodium-rich plagioclase (Na).
- Potassium Feldspar and Biotite: Due to the presence of K2O.
- Biotite and Hornblende: Due to the presence of H2O.
Diorite
Diorite is characterized by An40 plagioclase, clinopyroxene (Cpx) ± orthopyroxene (Opx), hornblende (HBL), biotite, quartz (Qz), and interstitial potassium feldspar
Read MoreUnderstanding Mechanical Properties and Ferrous Materials
Mechanical Properties
Elasticity: The capacity of a material to regain its original shape after being stretched.
Plasticity: The capacity of a material to retain its new shape after being deformed.
Ductility: The capacity of a material to be stretched into wires.
Malleability: The capacity of a material to be spread into sheets.
Hardness: The opposition a body offers to being scratched or penetrated by another.
Fragility: The opposite of tenacity. It is the tendency of a body to break under stress.
Resilience:
Read MoreContinental Drift and Plate Tectonics: Earth’s Shifting Surface
Item 4: Earth’s Dynamic Crust
Introduction
The movement of the Earth’s crust (lithosphere) is continuous.
The Theory of Continental Drift
In 1912, Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist, gathered a large amount of geological, paleontological, and climatic data. These data indicated that the continents had moved through time. Wegener showed that all the continents were once united into a single supercontinent called Pangaea. Pangaea later fragmented into several continents that drifted to their present
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