Question

Mass of dry soil in a metal sampling ring = 77g

Volume of sampling ring = 59cm3

Question 1: What is the Soil Bulk Density?

Given

A contaminant is present on a 1 hectare area down to 10 cm

Question 2: Using the bulk density calculated above, figure the dry weight of soil present over the contaminated area

Given

It rains before you are able to excavate the contaminated soil. The volumetric water content is measured to be 0.2 (20%)

Question 3: How many liters of water is present in the contaminated soil volume? How much does this water weigh?

Answer 1

Q1)  What is the Soil Bulk Density?

The soil bulk density is also known as dry bulk density. It is the weight of dry soil divided by the total soil volume. The total soil volume is the combined volume of solids and pores which may contain air or water or both. The average values of air, water and solid in soil are easily measured and are a useful indication of a soils physical condition. Soil bluk density and porosity (the number of pore spaces) reflects the size, shape and arrangement of particles and voids (soil structure). Both soil bluk density and porosity (Vpores) give a good indication of the suitability for root growth and soil permeability and are vitally important for the soil-plant-atmosphere system.

  Bulk density reflects the soil’s ability to function for structural support, water and solute movement, and soil aeration. Bulk densities above thresholds indicate impaired function. Bulk density is also used to convert between weight and volume of soil. It is used to express soil physical, chemical and biological measurements on a volumetric basis for soil quality assessment and comparisons between management systems. This increases the validity of comparisons by removing error associated with differences in soil density at time of sampling.