Conclusion-Dana

This lab consisted of a series of experiments that tested and analyzed different parts of a soil sample from Marlies' backyard. I didn't realize that there were so many aspects to soil and that each contributes to the soil composition as a whole. Through various tests we found that our soil was very moist, which is needed in order to sustain plant and organism growth, and that our soil had much pore space within it. In addition, we found that plants with a low salt content in their soil grow better as opposed to soil with a higher salt content. We also discovered the soil's pH, along with the amounts of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the soil. At the end of the lab we even remediated a sample of our soil with fertilizer and planted lettuce seeds in it and compared it to a controlled sample. We found that the remediated soil grew better because it had more lettuce sprouts. As a whole, this experiment taught me how to take a sample of soil and analyze it thoroughly and treat it based on the results. I liked this lab because there were many different tests, and while I didn't participate in each experiment, I still got the 'big picture' of our soil content. I thought that blogging as a way of recordings the lab findings was good because all of the information could be found in one place, but it was difficult to use at times. Overall, I enjoyed this experiment.

Remediation Lab

Remediation
Our soil sample, as tested in the soil fertility analysis, had a perfect pH of 7.0 and therefore didn't need remediation in our designed controlled experiment. However, while the pH was good, the amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium were not. There were low amounts of both phosphorus and potassium in our soil sample, and there amounts of nitrogen were trace. In the remediated soil, we added a liquid fertilizer that would increase the amount of all three of these elements in the soil to sustain plant and organism life. Because of the low amounts of these elements in the soil, there weren't many organisms found, as shown in the Berlese funnel experiment. Without the elements, organisms are unable to survive. Also, in the experiment to fin the percent of organic matter in a sample of our soil, we found that there was a low amount of organic matter in the soil which organisms need in order to live, so adding the fertilizer helped increase iesthe amount of organic matter in the soil in order for organisms to survive. The seeds planted in the remediated soil were compared to a controlled experiment and watered daily. We expected that the remediated soil would have more sprouts, which it did after about a week and a half.

Remediation and Controlled experiment lettuce pictures

Day one:
Remediated

Controlled

Day Two:

Remediated

Controlled

Day Three:

Remediated

Controlled

Day Four:

Remediated

Controlled

Day Five:
Remediated

Controlled

Day Six:
Remediated

Controlled

Day Seven:
Remediated

Controlled

Day Eight:
Remediated

Controlled

Conclusion by Marlies Emmelot

In the multiple tests we ran on the soil collected from my backyard, I learned many things about soil and how what the soil contains affects how well it grows crops. Through the fertility tests, we found that our soil was low in potassium and nitrogen. Although, it was at the correct pH level, which is between 6.5 and 7. We also found that there were little to no bugs in the soil. Through this experience, I found it interesting there were fertilizers that could add the nutrients your soil is lacking. This would allow your soil to grow more crops and grow faster as well. Through these tests we also found out that our soil is more clay than sand. The ribbon we were able to make out of our clay with a small amount of water added to it was not very long because every time I tried to make it longer, it would break apart. This gave me the idea that our soil was not completely clay yet was not completely sand either. The lettuce that we planted in our soil was successful and grew at about the same rate for both the remediate soil and the controlled soil. The lettuce has not yet sprouted but the leaves are growing rapidly.

Controlled experiment

Controlled vs remidiated 
In the controlled experiment, The leaves started to curl in after the fifth day. Also, the stems were not growing completely vertical. We noticed that they started to slant to different directions. The remidiated plant grew straight up towards the light source. There were more stems sprouting in our controlled experiment, but the leaves were not as large as the remidiated soil. The remidiated soil was more moist than the controlled experiment. Through our observations, it is clear that if you are trying to grow crops successfully, you should remidiated your soil to get the best end product.  

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Procedure:

We filled a small cup 3/4 fill with our soil. we then took half of the seeds we were given and put them one third of the way down in the cup and watered it every day.  The lettuce was kept under a lamp. 

Sarah conclusion

Soil lab Conclusion by Sarah Koncel

This lab has been a compilation of tests and analysis'of a soil sample collected from our backyard. After our group collected the soil, a series of tests were preformed including the soil texture test, soil moisture test,percent organic matter, soil porocity, soil dry perciliation rate, berlese funnel, soil fertility, salininization, and remediation. Thought this lab we learned that organic matter is vital to keep soil healthy , and  that moisture is very important for plant growth. We concluded that our soil had a lot of moisture due to the soil moisture test and the texture test. Due to the soil porocity test we also found our soil had a lot of pore space. Also as a result of our salinization test we concluded that soil containing less salt would be more ideal for growing. The soil fertility test also told us what our ph, nitrogen and phosphorous levels were. This way we were able to prevent things like a nitrogen definincy. By the end of our lab we were able to remediate our soil because we knew what our soil had and what it was lacking. The experiment ultimitly taught me how to analyze my soil and remediate it based on the results of my analysis. Also the blogging format made it easy to keep up with the entire experiment even though I didn't work on every part of it. I also believe it was a good way to present a long lab that had many components.

Salinization

Salinization 

Procedure:

Measure4g of salt

Mix salt with 100mL of water

Measure out 20ml of the solution 

Pour over paper towel 

Put in unclosed ziplock bag 

Place under grow light

Observations:

Looks like seeds 

Overtime the seeds get darker

The seeds get lager

Data: 

4g/100ml= 4% concentration of salt

Conclusions:

The seeds with a lesser concentration of salt got larger and puffed up more. Due to the size difference in seeds with smaller concentration vs. lager concentration it was concluded that the salt was a hindrance of growth, and the higher the concentration the header it is for crops to grow.

To remediate the soil one might use gypsum, lime, or calcium nitrate.

Cations can also be exchanged to remediate the soil.