In both lawn-making and agricultural processes, soil testing is a very vital process. The assessment of soil can be done using various methods to ensure suitability for agricultural use. Among these methods, some are very complex and can only be performed in a lab setting. Others on the other hand are very simple and one can conduct them on-site in the field. When in search of Soil Testing California should be given priority.
More comprehensive methods of soil testing should be conducted in case one intends to use the land for large scale agricultural activities. For those who intend to use the land for small scale farming or lawn-making, simple tests should be enough. Tests are usually conducted to determine the components of the soil such as silt/clay and sand fractions. The tests are also meant to investigate mouldability.
Finding out the properties of soils is important in order to determine stabilization procedures. Some tests are really simple. Examples of simple tests are smell, shine, color appearance, thread rolling, and hand moulding tests. Smell test usually involves applying water to a sample and if it emits a musty odor, it means that it contains organic materials. Organic materials are usually good for agricultural purposes, but soils that contain it are unsuitable for block making.
Color appearance is also an important test. If the sample contains dark crumbly humus, it means that it contains organic matter. In case the sample contains light brown to black coloring, it means that it can be stabilized even though it contains organic matter to a small proportion. Reddish to dark brown color means that the sample contains iron oxide. Presence of sand and lime-based compounds is indicated by a yellow color. Color appearance test does not however work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
When it comes to thread rolling test, sufficient water is added to the sample in order to be easily molded by hand. This sample is rolled out using the palm of the hand on a clean surface. In case the sample can be rolled to a diameter of about 3 mm, it is an indication that the sample contains a lot of clay in it.
The sample can break before reaching 3 mm in diameter in some cases, which indicates that it contains some amount of sand. Thread rolling process can also be used in determining the plasticity of the sample. The adhesion and mouldability of the sample in question is determined using hand moulding test.
The tests named above are all preliminary and can be conducted on-site. However, in case more comprehensive testing is required, then the sample has to be taken to a laboratory for more tests to be carried out. There are different tests that are meant to test different components and properties.
More comprehensive methods of soil testing should be conducted in case one intends to use the land for large scale agricultural activities. For those who intend to use the land for small scale farming or lawn-making, simple tests should be enough. Tests are usually conducted to determine the components of the soil such as silt/clay and sand fractions. The tests are also meant to investigate mouldability.
Finding out the properties of soils is important in order to determine stabilization procedures. Some tests are really simple. Examples of simple tests are smell, shine, color appearance, thread rolling, and hand moulding tests. Smell test usually involves applying water to a sample and if it emits a musty odor, it means that it contains organic materials. Organic materials are usually good for agricultural purposes, but soils that contain it are unsuitable for block making.
Color appearance is also an important test. If the sample contains dark crumbly humus, it means that it contains organic matter. In case the sample contains light brown to black coloring, it means that it can be stabilized even though it contains organic matter to a small proportion. Reddish to dark brown color means that the sample contains iron oxide. Presence of sand and lime-based compounds is indicated by a yellow color. Color appearance test does not however work in all cases.
In shine test, a small amount of the soils is rubbed with the back of finger nail to identify the most common components. The existence of sand and silt in huge amounts makes the sample to be abrasive to the touch. On the other hand, the presence of clay in huge quantities will make the sample smooth to the touch.
When it comes to thread rolling test, sufficient water is added to the sample in order to be easily molded by hand. This sample is rolled out using the palm of the hand on a clean surface. In case the sample can be rolled to a diameter of about 3 mm, it is an indication that the sample contains a lot of clay in it.
The sample can break before reaching 3 mm in diameter in some cases, which indicates that it contains some amount of sand. Thread rolling process can also be used in determining the plasticity of the sample. The adhesion and mouldability of the sample in question is determined using hand moulding test.
The tests named above are all preliminary and can be conducted on-site. However, in case more comprehensive testing is required, then the sample has to be taken to a laboratory for more tests to be carried out. There are different tests that are meant to test different components and properties.
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