Soil: Glossary

A

agronomist

scientist who studies soil

atmosphere

the layers of gas surrounding the earth

B

bedrock

the layer of solid rock that underlies loose and broken material, such as soil, sand, clay, or gravel

beneficial

good

C

calcium

a mineral necessary for strong bones

carbon

an element that is the basis of most living organisms

carbon dioxide

a gas used by plants

cement

a mixture of limestone and water used to make mortar, concrete, grout and other bonding construction supplies

chemical

a compound or substance that has been purified or prepared, especially artificially

clay

a very fine soil that when mixed with water produces a sticky material that turns hard when fired - used for dishware

compound

two or more atoms joined together chemically

concrete

a mixture of cement, rock, water and sand used to make stone-like material for sidewalks and such

contaminant

a pollution or material that can harm life

D

decaying

the process of breaking down, decomposing

decomposing

to break matter down into its chemical elements

defined borders

obvious edges

displaced

moved from one location to another

dissolve

to break up or reduce into small parts - or melt away

E

ecosystem

a community of living organisms

elements

natural forces of nature: wind, water, temperature, etc

environment

the plants, animals and all other matter in an area

erosion

soil and rock that is moved by man or nature

evaporation

to break up or reduce into small parts - or melt away

F

fungi

the plural of fungus - mushrooms, mold, etc

G

garbanzo beans

also called chickpeas

geologic

having to do with the layout of the land; mountains, lakes, rivers

gradient

the strength of a material or color that changes slowly from the top to the bottom or from side to side; the colors in a rainbow are gradient

H

hummus

a food eaten with chips or crackers made from ground garbanzo beans

humus

top layer of soil made of decayed plants and animals

I

impacts

effects

impurities

pollution or matter that alters the purity of a substance

industry

collection of companies that create a common product or deliver a common service

iron

element known for its rusty color

L

lumber

wood from trees used in construction

M

magnesium

a mineral element necessary for health

methane

a gas created from digestion or decaying matter

microorganism

very small living organism - bacteria, virus, etc

mineral

a nonliving substance found in nature

N

natural resource

anything in nature that can be used

negative charge

electrical property of a substance

nonexistent

does not occur

nutrient

part of food that provides health

O

oxygen

gas in our atmosphere necessary for breathing

P

parent material

material in the soil layers that is the basis for future soil

positively charged

electrical property of a substance

production

something made or built

properties

characteristics of an object or matter - size, smell, color, etc

pummeling

hitting repeatedly

R

raw ingredients

the most basic materials used in creating something

S

silica

also known as silicon dioxide - sand or ground quartz

stalactite

deposit of calcium carbonate that hangs from the ceiling of a cave

stalagmite

deposit of calcium carbonate that piles up on the floor of a cave

subsoil

also called undersoil; layer made of rocks, minerals, sand, etc. - small amount of decayed matter

T

topsoil

top 6 inches (approx.) of soil - contains the most nutrients

W

weathered

worn or damaged by nature