Soil differs from rock: what properties differ and how are they formed
We cannot imagine our planet without a huge number of unique and majestic mountains. How did they form, is there a connection between soil and rock masses? The formation of these important elements of the lithosphere and the difference between them is explained by the science of geology. What are the properties of rock and soil? Knowledge of these phenomena will help in understanding the surrounding biosphere.
Definition
Soil is the surface layer of land that is under our feet, is a complex composition of organic and inorganic substances, where numerous generations of living organisms live.It was formed over millions of years from mountain masses. The geology of the earth has changed under the influence of erosion, precipitation, minerals. Plant residues, microorganisms, fallen leaves did their job.
Almost a third of all living organisms on the planet is contained in the soil. Its basis is sand with clay and silt.
What is the difference between rock and soil
There are significant differences between soil and rock mass.
Soil, unlike rock, has:
- Fertility. This is the most basic difference between soil and rock layers. Its presence is facilitated by the roots of plants with living microorganisms. It largely depends on the stock of chemical elements. Nothing grows on stone and minerals.
- Humus layer enriched with humus. Plant roots, various microorganisms improve the structure of the soil, forming several layers of humus. The stone layer of mountains has a composition whose properties remain constant.
- Density. 1 g of soil per cubic cm is considered optimal. The soil has a loose structure so that plant roots can penetrate deep into. The density of rocks is determined depending on their mineral composition, substances that fill the pores (for example, gas, oil), and occurrence.
Soil-forming rocks are called parent rocks, soil is formed from them. They differ in origin, composition, structure.
How soil is formed
The soil was formed under the influence of powerful natural factors from the rock over millions of years. About 95% of the rock masses on earth are formed from solidified magma, they almost do not participate in soil formation. Sedimentary deposits form a middle layer where plants do not grow, but there are many minerals.
Soil is formed on the sedimentary layer, which gradually accumulates at the bottom of rivers, lakes and in flat places. During physical weathering, stones are crushed without changing their composition. Thanks to this, water penetrates through them, which also plays an important role in soil formation.
Chemical weathering of stones occurs with the participation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water. Rocks of mountains from various minerals dissolve in water. As a result, minerals appear and acquire new properties (for example, absorption).
Biological weathering is the last step in soil creation. Microorganisms are also involved in the destruction of mountains, and then they themselves become part of the future earth soil, enriching it with minerals.
Soil is an intermediate link between animate and inanimate nature. For example, minerals such as peat, limestone, and inanimate elements are formed from the remains of living microorganisms.
Voids in the soil layers are filled with air, where microorganisms settle, which decompose after death, then organically enrich the soil. The process of soil formation is divided into primary and anthropogenic, the second is associated with human influence.
The beginning of soil formation is considered the moment when microorganisms with plants settled in the weathering products of mountain layers, it was their remains that turned the soil into a new natural body. The most important indicator of this new body is fertility.
Rock formation
There are three types of natural mountain formation:
- magmatic;
- sedimentary;
- metamorphic.
Magmatic origin is primary. Magma could erupt from the depths to the earth's surface, then eventually cool and solidify. It has a massive, dense structure, occupies 95 percent of the total mass, but did not become a soil-forming one.
The most common element of igneous formation is granite. It was formed from magma that was deep in the earth in a liquid state.
When weathering rocks, moving water bodies, sedimentary types are formed that cover 75% of the Earth's surface. The products of their deposits, as well as the remains of organisms, are called sedimentary, according to the scientific definition, this is a secondary origin, they are based on fragments of minerals, remains of animal skeletons, branches and tree trunks. Gypsum, sylvin, dolomite, calcite are of sedimentary origin.
Metamorphic types of rock masses were formed as a result of ongoing changes in the thickness of sedimentary and igneous rocks. From exposure to hot gases, strong and prolonged compression, changes occur that lead to the appearance of minerals: talc, graphite, chlorite, and marble.
The formation of rocks and minerals, which are the result of the transformation of mountains, is always of great interest to study.
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