Soil Samples - Chemical and Moisture Content Testing

Opening Note:

Thank you so much students for volunteering to help with the chemical analysis of the soil samples. It is critical that you follow the directions carefully and keep track of your samples with proper labelling (i.e. post-its and / or small pieces of paper.) Some of the samples you will need to leave overnight to settle out for proper reading. On the pages that follow is where you can record the final results.Note: The sphagnum moss samples from Burns Bog will not be chemically tested.

Because you are only using a tiny portion of the given samples for chemical analysis, we will save the remainder of the samples for two purposes:

1) Samples from near Quadrat #8 of Transect #2 for both days will be stored for future reference / photos.
2) - Each of the samples from near Quadrat #1 of Transect #1 for both days (including the sphagnum sample from Burns Bog) will be placed in an aluminum baking container and measured using the electronic scale (see recording space on the pages that follow). Clearly label (including day) each sample on the outside of each container in a couple of spots using a permanent marker.
- Also measure the mass of an empty container.
- These containers will be baked in an oven for a total of 21 hours at 170ºF (76.7°C). It does not have to be for 21 consecutive hours if that is not possible. It can be broken up into segments over a couple of days.
- These samples need to be brought back and measured again using the scale and their moisture contents calculated and recorded in the space on the pages that follow.

Note: Two Soil Samples were taken from each site for chemical testing . One sample was taken from a hole dug near Quadrat #1 of Transect #1 and another sample from a hole dug near Quadrat #8 of Transect #2. However, at the Serpentine Wildlife Management Area, we were not given permission to dig full size holes to be able to try to reach the water table, nevertheless we were able to take soil samples. At each site, samples were taken approximately 10cm below the surface as instructed in the soil testing kit [see directions].

Saturday September 24, 2016

Soil Samples / pH / Nitrogen / Phosphorous / Potash
Burns Bog - Transect #1 Near Qu. #1 / 5.5 / Very Low / Very Low / Medium High
Burns Bog Transect #2 - Near Qu. #8 / 5.2 / Very Low / Very Low / High
Watershed Park - Transect #1 Near Qu. #1 / 6.5 / Very Low / Very Low / Very Low
Watershed Park – Transect #2 Near Qu. #8 / 5.5 / Very Low / Medium / Very Low
SWMA – Transect #1 Near Qu. #1 / 6.9 / Very Low / Very Low / Very Low
SWMA - Transect #2 Near Qu. #8 / 5.5 / Very Low / Low / Low

For comparative reference:natural pH of unpolluted rainwater is around 5.6
Source: http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Water/FreshWater/acidrain.html

- Looking at the Phosphorous data for the chemical testing, identify and attempt to explain the findings. Consider your reading of the Phosphorous Cycle and other Phosphorous information in the Ecoscope Field Study Prep. Guide.

- Looking at the Potash data for the chemical testing, identify and attempt to explain the findings. The information on the next page may be useful and you could try your own research as well.

Indicator Plant Species

- Utilizing the Indicator Plants of Coastal British Columbia handout, look at the dominant plants in the transects and see if they indicate nitrogen-rich, nitrogen-medium, or nitrogen-poor conditions. Record your findings. (Note: If your plant guide does not provide the scientific name for the plant, you will need to research this on the internet.) Do your findings support or contradict the chemical soil testing results on p.1? Attempt to explain.

Special Note: The nitrogen test results for all previous years have come out the same– no hint of pink in the test solution (with the exception of one sample in 2015). Did this occur again in 2016? If yes, this seems to contradict some of the Indicator Plant Species for some of the sites. The explanation may lie in terms of the time of year that we did the testing. You’ll need to think that statement through for the potential explanation.

Source (p.22):

Hunt, Thomas Sterry. Chemical and Geological Essays. USA: Foreman Press, 2007.

Soil and Moss Samples - Water Content

Note: Two Soil Samples were taken from each sitealong with one sphagnum moss sample at Burns Bog for drying . One sample was taken froma hole dug near Quadrat #1 of Transect #1 and another sample from a hole dug near Quadrat #8 of Transect #2. However, at the Serpentine Wildlife Management Area, we were not given permission to dig full size holes to be able to try to reach the water table, nevertheless we were able to take soil samples. At each site, samples were taken approximately 10cm below the surface as instructed in the soil chemical testing kit.

Drying Technique:21 hours at 170ºF (76.7°C) in a kitchen oven.

Saturday Sept. 26, 2015

Burns Bog - Transect #1 Near Qu. #1
a) Initial Mass of Soil and Container: 84.95 g

b) Mass of Empty Container:15.78g

c) Initial Mass of Soil69.17g (i.e. a-b)

d) Mass of Soil and Container after drying:24.49g

e) Mass of Empty Container:15.78g (i.e. same as b)

f) Mass of Soil after drying:8.71g (i.e. d-e)

g) Water Content:60.46 g (i.e. c-f)

h)% of Mass is Water Content: Water Content / Initial Mass x 100 (i.e. g / c x 100)87%
i)% of Mass is Solids: i.e. 100% - h 13%

Burns Bog – Sphagnum Moss Sample near Transect #1 near Qu. #1
a) Initial Mass of Soil and Container: 43,72g

b) Mass of Empty Container:13.34g

c) Initial Mass of Soil30.38g (i.e. a-b)

d) Mass of Soil and Container after drying:18.61g

e) Mass of Empty Container:13.34 g (i.e. same as b)

f) Mass of Soil after drying:5.27g (i.e. d-e)

g) Water Content:25.11g (i.e. c-f)

h) % of Mass is Water Content: Water Content / Initial Mass x 100 (i.e. g / c x 100)83%

i) % of Mass is Solids: i.e. 100% - h 17%

Watershed Park - Transect #1 Near Qu. #1
a) Initial Mass of Soil and Container: 153.69 g

b) Mass of Empty Container:15.67g

c) Initial Mass of Soil138.02g (i.e. a-b)

d) Mass of Soil and Container after drying:142.53g

e) Mass of Empty Container:15.67 g (i.e. same as b)

f) Mass of Soil after drying:126.86g (i.e. d-e)

g) Water Content:11.16g (i.e. c-f)

h) % of Mass is Water Content: Water Content / Initial Mass x 100 (i.e. g / c x 100) 8%
i) % of Mass is Solids: i.e. 100% - h 92%

SWMA - Transect #1 Near Qu. #1
a) Initial Mass of Soil and Container: 196.11 g

b) Mass of Empty Container:15.67g

c) Initial Mass of Soil180.44g (i.e. a-b)

d) Mass of Soil and Container after drying:141.36g

e) Mass of Empty Container:15.67 g (i.e. same as b)

f) Mass of Soil after drying:125.69g (i.e. d-e)

g) Water Content:54.75g (i.e. c-f)

h) % of Mass is Water Content: Water Content / Initial Mass x 100 (i.e. g / c x 100)30%
i) % of Mass is Solids: i.e. 100% - h 70%

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