Question

Classify the following soil based on texture using the USDA classification system provided below.

Soil with 10% gravel, 20% sand, 40% silt, and 30% clay.

Percentage of clay Silty Percentage of silt clay y loam Silty clay loam Sandy clay < /loam Loam/ Silty loam Sandy loam Loamy Sandsand 100 90 80 A Silt 10 100 0 70 30 20 60 50 40 Percentage of sand

Answer 1

Solution:

Given Data

% Gravel = 10, % Sand = 20, % Silt = 40, % Clay = 30

The classification in USDA system is based on the relative % sand, % silt, and % clay.

Hence finding relative % of sand, silt and clay.

${\color{Magenta} Relative\ \%\ of \ Sand =\frac{20\times 100}{100-10}=\frac{20\times 100}{90}=22.22 }$

${\color{DarkBlue} Relative\ \%\ of \ Silt =\frac{40\times 100}{100-10}=\frac{40\times 100}{90}=44.44}$

${\color{DarkGreen} Relative\ \%\ of \ Clay =\frac{30\times 100}{100-10}=\frac{30\times 100}{90}=33.33}$

Classifying this soil using triangular classification

This Soil falls in the zone of Clay Loam, but gravel are present there hence it will be Gravelly Clay Loam.

44.44 % Silt Percentage of clay Silty clay Percentage of silt 407 clay Clay loan 33.33 % Clay Silty clay loamo W Sandy clay loam sand sand / 100 90 80 70 50 40 Percentage of sand 300 100 22.22 % Sand