Functions of Soil

Medium for Plant Growth

Provides physical support for roots to grow and expand

Stores essential elements required for plant growth

Provides Aeration,

allowing ventilation for roots and microbes

Insulates roots to moderate temperature

Infiltration - water moves downwards through soil Percolation - water moves within and throughout soil

Infiltrated water becomes Groundwater stored deep within soil for drinking and agriculture

Water Purification Techniques

Physical: As water drains through soil, pores act like a sieve to trap behind particles, cleaning the water as it travels

Biological: Microbes break down harmful pollutant materials and change them into useful nutrients for plants

Chemical: Positively charged pollutant ions (like Ammonium) attach to negatively charged soil particles, removing them from the water supply.

microbes, fungi, worms, and bugs

Organism Functions

Waste Removal: Decompose dead plant and animal materials (organic matter) to remove from surface

Nutrient Creation: Organism waste creates nutrients for plants to use

Water and Air Travel: Movement of organisms creates pores in the soil for water and air to travel

There are many greenhouses gases that soil can

sequester and emit ranging from

Methane(CH4), to Nitrous Oxide(N2O), to Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Here, we will look at some factors that affect specifically at CO2

Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

Plants: Photosynthesis takes CO2 from atmosphere to use for energy

Fungi: Help plants absorb nutrients while holding Carbon in the soil

Actinobacteria: Emit some CO2 back into soil, but also create organic compounds that stabilize orgnaic matter to retain carbon

Carbon Dioxide Emmission

Protobacteria: Digest lots of organic matter to decompose dead plant matter and then release CO2 as a byproduct from digestion

Temperature and Moisture: Warmer and wetter soil promote more bacteria activity creating more CO2 emission

Soil Texture: Fine texture soil, like clay, generally hold more Organic Material leading to higher CO2 emissions.