PLEASEEE HELP ASAP! BRAINLIST GETS 80 POINTS 04.02 Environmental Resources Lab Report

Instructions: For this lab, use the lab report to record your information. You will submit your completed lab report.

Note: If you cannot complete this lab as directed, please contact your instructor for assistance.

Name and Title:
Include your name, instructor's name, and date.

Introduction
To improve your soil, you should first know what you’re starting with. In this lab, you will sample local soil to determine its composition and pH range.

Materials
• Distilled water
• Metric ruler
• Small zipper storage bag
• Soil from the yard, garden, or other local source
• Jar with tightly fitting lid (tall and skinny would be best)
• Small digging tool
• pH strips (available at hardware and pool supply stores) or vinegar and baking soda

Pre-lab Questions
1. Describe soil particles (sand, silt, and clay) in term of size and texture.
2. If soil is too acidic, what substance is usually added? If soil is too alkaline, what substance is usually added?
3. Why are soil composition and pH important to know?

Hypothesis
Predict what type of soil you think is in your local area (mostly sand, silt, clay, or mixed) and if it more acidic, more alkaline, or neutral.

Procedure

Obtaining soil samples for your jar and resealable bag
1. Take your jar, resealable bag, and digging tool into your garden or yard. Use the digging tool to dig a hole 3–6 inches deep. Take your soil sample from the soil at this depth.
2. Place approximately one cup of soil into the resealable bag, squeeze the air out of the bag, and zip it shut (you will use this soil later in the lab).
3. Dig up additional soil and fill the jar to approximately 1/4 full of soil. Take everything back inside to your work area.
Note: To avoid making a mess, it is best to work on a covered surface (for example, a kitchen counter covered with old newspaper or plastic wrap).
4. Fill the remaining space in the jar with water, and screw the cap on tightly (see Figure 1, below).
5. Shake the jar so that the dirt is totally dispersed through the water (see Figure 2, below). Set down the jar and allow the shaken contents to settle completely (see Figure 3, below). Leave it undisturbed overnight while you test the texture and pH of the soil in your resealable bag.

Note: Do not pick up the jar. Doing so will begin to mix the contents again.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Fill jar 3/4 full of water and 1/4 full of soil. With the lid on tightly, shake the jar well until the soil and water have mixed thoroughly. Let the jar sit. Materials will begin to settle out and form layers.

Testing texture and pH of the soil in your resealable bag
1. While you wait for the soil and water sample to settle in the jar, you can test the texture of the sample in the resealable bag. First, remove a small amount and moisten it slightly to test the texture. Record your observations in the Data and Observations section.
a. Rough and gritty soil that barely sticks together is sand.
b. Loams (mixtures of clay, silt, and sand) feel medium-textured.
c. Smooth and sticky fine textures indicate clay.
2. Next, test the pH using one of the following methods:
a. If you have pH strips: To test with pH strips, place the soil sample in a small bowl or container and add a small amount of distilled water. Add just enough water to make the soil slightly liquid, like a milkshake consistency. Dip the pH strip in and compare it to the color identification provided with the test strips. Record your data in the Data and Observations section.
b. If you do not have pH strips: Use vinegar and baking soda instead. To do this, split the sample into two containers. Add a half cup of vinegar to the first sample of soil, mix gently, and watch to see if it bubbles or fizzes. If it does, it is alkaline. In the second container, add a half cup of distilled water to the soil and mix gently. Then add a half cup of baking soda. If there is a reaction of bubbles or fizzing, the soil is acidic. If neither sample has a reaction, the soil is neutral. Record your data in the Data and Observations section.

Testing soil sample in your jar
1. For the sample in the jar, wait until after the contents have settled and you can see several different-colored layers. In addition, you may see some material floating at the top of the water. You may also see that the water is still clouded with some particles.
2. Measure the total thickness of the soil in the jar after it settles. Record this measurement (in centimeters) in the data table.
3. Observe the settled dirt carefully. There should be distinct layers of soil. The bottom will be your sand layer (largest particles fall out first), then clay or silt, depending on the kind of soil you have. Carefully measure the thickness of any layers of soil seen in your jar. Record your measurements in centimeters (cm) in the data table. Also record the color of each layer.