Project Work - Biology (Class Ix)

PROJECT WORK - BIOLOGY
Topic: Mineral Riches In The Soil

Presentation by Aarav Verma
IX-C
Roll No. 4
INTRODUCTION
◦ Soil is an integral part of the biosphere and helps in maintaining life on Earth. Soil is formed by the weathering
of rocks, which is caused due to physical, chemical, and biological processes. It contains both organic and
inorganic matter, and the most important part, it is home to microorganisms as well as other animals. It also
serves as a natural medium for the survival of plants. But how are these plants are able to survive and thrive
here? What makes the soil a fit-to-live environment for these microorganisms and animals? It is because of the
abundance of minerals and nutrients in the soil.
◦ Soil is a mixture of these minerals and gases and these gases are present in the form of very small bubbles
between the soil particles. Now, these questions might come to your mind –
❑ How soil is so enriched with nutrients and minerals?
❑ What type of minerals are present inside the soil?
❑How are plants able to thrive and survive?/ How do they get these nutrients for carrying out life processes?
❑ How do these gaseous cycles take place and are beneficial for the soil as well as for the organisms living inside
the soil?
◦ Let’s find answers to these questions in detail and understand how soil is an essential natural resource for all
living beings.
SOIL FORMATION
◦ Soil is the thin layer of loose material covering the earth’s surface. The formation of soil is an extremely long
process taking up to an average of a thousand years. Soil is formed when surface rocks break into several
smaller particles, called regolith, which then gets mixed with varied organic matter. This whole process is
called weathering.
◦ There are three types of weathering –
1. PHYSICAL WEATHERING: When rocks get fragmented into smaller particles, without changing the chemical
composition of the rocks.
Causes: Change in temperatures
Processes involved: Abrasion, Freeze-Thaw Cycles, etc
2. CHEMICAL WEATHERING: When rocks get broken down into smaller particles due to chemical reactions.
Processes involved: Oxidation, Hydrolysis, etc
3. BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING: When rocks get disintegrated due to the action of living organisms.
Processes involved: Burrowing, etc
SOIL PROFILE
◦ A soil profile is a vertical section of soil, which helps us examine the soil’s structure. The soil is made
up of different layers, which are arranged due to its formation. These layers are known as soil
horizons and can be easily observed by the color and size of particles.
◦ Through a soil profile, we get to know all the layers of soil and the significance of each layer. There
are 4 such layers :
1. O-Horizon: The O horizon is the upper layer of the topsoil which is mainly composed of organic
materials such as grasses, dead leaves, small rocks, twigs, fallen trees, and other decomposed
organic matter. It is dark brown in color.
2. A-Horizon or Topsoil: This layer is rich in organic material and is known as the humus layer. This
layer consists of both organic matter and other decomposed materials. Because of being porous
and fertile, the topsoil can hold enough air and water. This is the layer where plants grow and
organisms like earthworms, rats, centipedes, burrowing rodents, etcetera live.
3. B-Horizon or Subsoil: This layer of soil is present between the A-Horizon and the Bedrock. It is
harder and more compact compared to the A-Horizon. It is not very fertile as it contains less
humus and organic matter. It is the site of the deposition of certain minerals and salts. But it can
retain more water than the topsoil.
4. C-Horizon: This layer is composed of unconsolidated parent material, from which the soil is
formed. There is little or no humus accumulation in this layer and is rich with minerals.
5. At the bottom is the bedrock, the solid and cemented surface that is devoid of any organic
matter.
HOW IS THE AVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS IN THE
SOIL MAINTAINED?
◦ Soil is very rich in nutrients and minerals, which are essential for all the organisms living inside the soil. Besides
this, soil also contains humus, which contributes to the retention of these nutrients and makes the soil highly
fertile.
◦ Now, nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium are needed by the plants (for their growth
and strength), whereas oxygen is needed by the animals and microorganisms living inside the soil (for carrying
out different life processes). So, the soil becomes congested.
◦ But congestion has some disadvantages too. There is excessive use of these nutrients and minerals. As a result,
the fertility of the soil decreases. But still, the availability of the nutrients in the soil is maintained through:
1. NITROGEN CYCLES
In general, the nitrogen cycle has five steps - NITROGEN FIXATION, NITROGEN ASSIMILATION,
AMMONIFCATION, NITRIFICATION, and DENITRIFICATION
2. USE OF FERTILIZERS
Fertilizers are rich in nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. They are usually added to crops
to increase yield. But they also increase the fertility of the soil.
MINERALS IN SOIL AND THEIR MAJOR USES
◦ Minerals are in abundance in the soil. Minerals constitute a large portion of the soil (approximately 45%) and are
needed by all the plants, animals, and microorganisms to thrive and survive. Minerals in the soil can be classified
into two categories –
1. PRIMARY MINERALS IN SOIL: Minerals that have not been chemically transformed since the deposition are
known as primary minerals. Primary minerals are usually found in sand and silt. These mainly include silica
minerals, iron minerals, apatite, volcanic gases, non-crystalline organic constituents.
2. SECONDARY MINERALS IN SOIL: These are minerals formed as a result of weathering of rocks (primary
minerals). Secondary minerals are mainly found in fine silt or clay. Hydroxides, carbonates, sulphates,
phosphates, halides, etc. are examples of secondary minerals.
◦ Now one of the most important functions of minerals in the soil is the assistance it provides to plant life. Plants
need several minerals for a healthy life and growth. These minerals are absorbed from the soil via the roots of
the plants and trees. The two most important a plant needs are nitrate and magnesium. Nitrate is the main
source of amino acids which are the main ingredient required to make proteins. Magnesium is essential in the
production of chlorophyll which allows photosynthesis. If these essential minerals are not available to plants, its
stunts their growth
CONCLUSION (SOIL POLLUTION AND ITS PREVENTION)
◦ We now know the importance of soil in our lives and how it is essential for plants to survive and thrive. But in
recent times, we have seen many cases of soil pollution, due to which plants, trees, animals, and humans are
getting majorly affected. Soil pollution also leads to soil erosion.
◦ Major causes of soil pollution are –
➢ Excessive use of fertilizers
➢ Disposal of waste material into the soil (This waste material usually comes from big factories and is harmful to
the plants and animals living inside the soil. )
◦ We as humans have a primary responsibility that we should look after Mother Nature. So, some of the
preventive measures that we can take are –
1. Use manure instead of fertilizers
2. Proper disposal of waste material
3. Follow the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)
◦ This way we can stop the exploitation of one of the essential natural resources and also protect ourselves from
many problems that can affect us both physically and mentally.
VIDEOS FOR REFERENCE
◦ A Brief Introduction To Minerals (By Mike Sammartano)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a7p1NFn64s
◦ MINERALS for Kids – Classification and Uses – Science (By Smile and Learn – English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbkEITV7sok
◦ Layers Of Soil - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For Kids | Peekaboo Kidz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgqea0E2eAY
◦ What Is SOIL POLLUTION | LAND POLLUTION | What Causes Soil Pollution | Dr. Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnfdq2htoKU
◦ Why soil is one of the most amazing things on Earth | BBC Ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiLITHMVcRw
◦ What Is Soil Erosion & Conservation? | SOIL CONSERVATION | Dr. Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo_ntewAemw

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PROJECT WORK - BIOLOGY

Topic: Mineral Riches In The Soil

◦ A Brief Introduction To Minerals (By Mike Sammartano)

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