Soil

Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and countless

organisms that together support life on Earth. Soil is a natural body called
the pedosphere which has four important functions: it is a medium for plant
growth; it is a means of water storage, supply and purification; it is a modifier
of Earth's atmosphere; it is a habitat for organisms; all of which, in turn, modify
the soil.

Soil is called the "skin of the Earth" and interfaces with

its lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.[1] The term pedolith,
used commonly to refer to the soil, literally translates 'level stone'. Soil consists
of a solid phase of minerals and organic matter, as well as a porous phase that
holds gases and water.[2][3][4] Accordingly, soils are often treated as a three-
state system of solids, liquids, and gases.[5]

Soil is a product of the influence of the climate, relief (elevation, orientation, and
slope of terrain), organisms, and its parent materials(original minerals)
interacting over time.[6] Soil continually undergoes development by way of
numerous physical, chemical and biological processes, which
include weathering with associated erosion.

Most soils have a density between 1 and 2 g/cm3.[7] Little of the soil of
planet Earth is older than the Pleistocene and none is older than the Cenozoic,
[8] although fossilized soils are preserved from as far back as the Archean.[9]

Soil science has two basic branches of study: edaphology and pedology.
Edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on living things. Pedology is
focused on the formation, description (morphology), and classification of soils in
their natural environment,.[10] In engineering terms, soil is referred to
as regolith, or loose rock material that lies above the 'solid geology'.[11] Soil is
commonly referred to as "earth" or "dirt"; technically, the term "dirt" should be
restricted to displaced soil.[12]

As soil resources serve as a basis for food security, the international community
advocates for its sustainable and responsible use through different types of Soil
Governance.

Why is soil important? 14 Top Soil Uses

Soil is one of the most valuable natural resources available to us.

It is very important for sustenance of life on the earth.

The top soil which is suitable for plant growth is eroded due to
human activities like construction of building, homes, roads and city expansions.

On the other hand the soil layers, responsible for soil fertility, microbiology and
other soil organic matter are polluted and contaminated deliberately due to
agricultural and industrial pollution.
Unfortunately we humans of this generation have been habituated to avoid even
soil contact by foot. Many of us are even unaware of soil, its feel, touch and its
properties.

WHY IS SOIL IMPORTANT

Soil plays a vital role in the survival of living beings on the earth. Its importance
can be listed as

1. Soil fertility: Fertile soil supports growth of plants. In-turn these plants produce
vital needs to humans like food, clothing, furniture, medicine etc. Even other
animals, insects receive food by grazing on plants.

2. Soil microbiology: It provides support for survival of many bacteria,

algae, fungi etc.. These bacteria and microbes present in soil help in
environmental balance like retaining of moisture, decay of dead bodies of
animals, plants etc., scavenging of waste and other toxic chemicals including
plastic.

3. Top soil provides shelter for insects, reptiles, birds and animals. Further top soil
is necessary for even other activities like nesting, reproduction, hatching of eggs,
breeding etc.

4. Soil organic matter contains essential minerals and elements like phosphates,
sulphates, calcium, zinc, magnesium and many more. These elements
are provided to plant during growth and from there to all the living forms. Hence
they act as source of essential minerals and elements needed for various enzyme
and cell reactions.

5. Soil a source of minerals: Minerals and mines present in soil is the source of
many metals like iron, bauxite, zinc etc . Many metal elements are mixed up with
soil and hence extracted from soil by technical processes.

6. Soil is used for making utensils, tiles etc. The utensils like cups, plates china
clay, plaster of paris etc. Tiles used in home or building made of ceramic like soil
components.

7. Soil contents like gravel, clay, sand, etc. are widely used for construction of
homes, buildings, roads etc

8. Soil a source medicines: Soil gives us some important mineral medicines like
calcium (bones), iron (anemia) bentonite (laxative) and other substance like
petroleum jelly, steatite for cosmetics, talcum powders etc.

9. Soil keeps atmosphere cool: Soil absorbs water when there is rain and so,
when is there is heavy sun heat, this water from soil evaporates making the air
cooler.

Further you might have noticed wind blowing from sea surface to land surface.
This is because soil get heated fast and cools fast unlike water. Hence during
heavy summer, soil gets heated fast and so the air above it raises causing low
pressure for the air from sea surface to flow on to land. This is why the
atmosphere remains cool.

10. Home for animals, bird & insects: Soil is the natural dwelling place for many
living beings. Animals like, rats, mice, guinea pigs, mongoose, squirrel etc live in
the burrows made in the soil. Reptiles like snakes, lizard live in the soils. Even
insects live and nest in the soil. Some birds also nest in the soil. Thus soil
provides a safe shelter to many living beings and promotesbiodiversity.

TOP SOIL USES:

1. Agriculture: Top soil is used for agricultural production of crops necessary for
human and animal food and clothing needs. Soil has fertility like essential
minerals and organic matter needed for cultivation.

2. Microbial growth: Soil texture is suitable for cultivation of bacteria, fungus etc.
These bacteria are suitable for fixing nitrogen and fertility in soil. Further these
microbes producemedicine like antibiotics.

3. Water harvesting: When there is rain, soil absorbs water. This water goes into
deeper layer of soil and is available for Plants and forest to grow. Further this
water is also available as ground water for drinking and cultivation (by bore
wells).

4. Soil supports germination: Without soil, the earth would have lacked plants,
trees and forests. When a seed from tree falls on to soil. Soil gives safe protection
and environment for its growth. Hence it is useful for germination of seeds to
grow into plants. Without soil there would have been no trees and plants on the
earth. More than 95% of trees in this world are grown naturally by soil without
man sowing the seeds.

5. Waste Decay: Soil layers promotes decay of waste and pollutants by microbes.
The decay of organic matter converts to petroleum and other essential resources.
Without soil there would have been no waste decay and world would have been a
place full of corpses (dead bodies) and other waste.

TIPS FOR SOIL CONSERVATION:

Soil conservation is very essential to reap the above benefits. It has to be done in
two ways

a) Soil erosion prevention

b) Soil pollution prevention.

The main soil erosion is due to the top soil being blown away by heavy winds and
also being carried away by rain water and floods.

Hence Top soil erosion has to be prevented by wide cultivation of plants. They
acts as natural hindrance to winds and prevents soil erosion. Tilling of soil against
the flow direction of rain water prevents soil erosion.
Soil layers get polluted due to heavy human activity, and careless disposable of
industrial pollution. This pollution also reduces soil fertility and becomes unfit for
cultivation.

The soil also loses many bacteria and other soil animals due to heavy soil
pollution.

Hence to minimize soil pollution, it is important to go for organic farming. Also

avoid excess use of artificial pesticides. Besides this minimize industrial pollution.
Before discarding the waste, it has to be treated to prevent soil pollution.