Tag: natural resources - air, water and land

The surface layer of the earth's crust is called soil. It forms by the process of weathering and erosion. It takes a long time to form the soil. There are several factors that affect the process of soil formation. These are climate, topography, parent material, organic material and time span. Rainfall influence the rate of weathering and humus formation. Parent rocks determine the texture, colour, chemical properties, mineral content and quality. Topography i.e. slope and altitude decide the accumulation of soil. Flora, fauna and microbes affect the rate of humus formation. Time span determines the thickness of soil layer. Water accumulation does not help in the formation of soil.

the presence and type of parent rock is the most determining factor in the formation of soil. This is because the parent decides what type of soil will be formed. The soil constituents, chemical nature, what type of crops it can grow is all determined by the type of parent rock.

Laterization is a prolonged process of chemical weathering of rocks leading to the formation of soil. It produces a variation in the thickness, grade, chemistry and ore mineralogy of the rock creating soil particles. Thus the correct answer is option C.

The soil is formed by weathering, it is the process of breaking down of rocks by the action of heavy wind, water flow and climate. Breaking down of small particles of rocks mix with humus, make it soil fertile. Thus, the correct option is D.

Strong winds, flowing water and heating and cooling of rocks leads to its breakdown. They break the tough rock particles and convert them into smaller ones. They also create cracks in them.

Soil is mainly formed due to the weathering of large rocks. The action of abiotic factors on the rocks leads the gradual conversion into the layer of soil. The process of soil formation is known as pedogenesis. Soil is the mixture of minerals, organic matter, gasses, liquids, and the countless organisms that together support life on the earth. The mineral riches of soil provides fertility to the soil and hence, help the plants to grow well. 

The soil is mainly formed by the process of pedogenesis. The abiotic factors constantly act on the rocks and lead to the formation of soil by weathering.