Soil: General

Soil: General

Biotic Factors

Abiotic Factors

Health

Disturbances/Land Use

Soil Soil is the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus. Soil has varying amounts of organic matter (living and dead organisms), minerals, and nutrients. Dead organisms decompose and give nutrients to soil. Natural processes can take more than 500 years to form just 2 centimeters of topsoil. Almost all freshwater travels over soil or through soil before entering a river, lake, or aquifer. This process is known as subsurface runoff. About 85% of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth's atmosphere is produced by soil.

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Soil Testing Site

What makes good soil?