UNI101Y1 Study Guide - Field Capacity, Loam, Solution
16 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
H+ ions dissolve minerals from rocks and soils enhancing the natural solvent properties of water (making it nutrient-rich) H+ + caco3 ca2+ + hco3. Ca2+ ions are very important to life and high conc. are vital esp. to orgnms who incorporate it into their shells. H+ ions are essential for making nutrients available, but it also dissolves highly toxic heavy metals (detrimental to life) Plants obtain water and nutrients from the soil by osmotic potential. Plants acquire inorganic nutrients (other than o, c, some n) as ions dissolved in water. Availability varies w/ their chemical form in the soil, temp. acidity, presence of other ions. K often limits plant production even when abundant its formed compounds don"t dissolve easily. Soil retains water due to water"s unique properties. H2o molecules cling to each other through hydrogen bonding (surface tension) And to the surfaces of soil particles (capillary attraction) Ssooiillss consist of particles of clay, silt, sand, and organic materials.
