Soil Testing
Materials (*optional):
2 beakers or jar
Graduated cylinder or measuring cup
Soil samples from two different localities
2 plastic bags for collecting samples*
Small gardening scoop*
Soil collection:
1. Prepare two hand-written labels with your name and sample number (sample 1 and sample 2).
Then collect soil samples from two different localities. A small gardening scoop full of each sample
would be adequate for this lab. Take a photograph of each sampling site with the label (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Photograph of sampling site 1.
2. Briefly describe the location of each sampling site. Where did you collect your samples?
Location
Sample 1
Sample 2
GEOL1405/ENVR1401
Prepare soil samples:
3. Remove all foreign matter such as leaves, roots, and stones. Crush the sample until the largest
clump is less 3 millimeters. Take a photograph of cleaned samples with the label.
Soil:
4. What is soil texture? (hint: textbook page 215)
5. Describe the soil’s color and odor for your samples.
Color Odor
Sample 1
Sample 2
6. Determine the soil texture using the Guide to Texture by Feel flow chart. Using the soil texture
triangle, estimate the percentages of clay, silt and sand.
Texture % Clay % Silt % Sand
Sample 1
Sample 2
7. Which soil sample, 1 or 2 is more suitable for plants? Briefly explain.
Porosity:
8. Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of rock or sediment that consist of pore spaces.
Determine the porosity of each sample.
a. Place 50 ml of soil sample into the 100 ml beaker (or jar). Tap down the soil without
compressing the soil.
b. Fill the graduated cylinder (or measuring cup) with 50 ml of water.
c. Slowly pour the water from the graduated cylinder into the beaker. Continue to pour until
the water starts to pool at the top and not soak into the soil any further. Take a photograph
of sample with the label.
d. Measure and record the amount of water remaining in the graduated cylinder.
e. Subtract the amount of water remaining in the graduated cylinder from the initial amount
(50 ml) to get the total amount added to the soil.
f. Calculate the porosity of the soil sample using the equation:
% Porosity = (volume of water added in ml/50 ml soil) x 100
GEOL1405/ENVR1401
Volume of water
remaining (ml)
Volume of water added
(ml)
Porosity
(%)
Sample 1
Sample 2
What to Submit:
Create a lab report using Microsoft Word or equivalent. It should contain your answers only (without
questions). It must contain the following:
Title, name, and date
Question 1 – 2 photos
Question 2 – Table
Question 3 – 2 photos
Question 4 – short answer
Question 5 – Table
Question 6 – Table
Question 7 – short answer
Question 8 – 2 photos and 1 table
Submit your Word or pdf file to eCampus using the Lab 6 link. Have fun!
