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Weathering and Soil Formation
Chapter 7 Key Terms
22
Science
7th Grade
12/05/2006

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Term
wethering
Definition
process that breaks down rock and other substances at earth's surface
Term
erosion
Definition
the movement of rock particles by wind, water, ice or gravity
Term
mechanical/physical weathering
Definition
weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pices
Term
abrasion
Definition
refers to grindingaway of rock by rock particleswater, ice, wind , or gravity
Term
ice wedging
Definition
the process that splitsthat splits rock when water seeps into cracks,then freezes and expands
Term
chemical weathering
Definition
the process that breaks down rock through chemical changes
Term
permeable
Definition
a material that is full of tiny, conected air spaces, that allow water to seep through it
Term
soil
Definition
loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow
Term
bedrock
Definition
solid layer of rock beneath the soil
Term
humus
Definition
dark colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay
Term
soil horizon
Definition
a layer of soil tha differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it
Term
topsoil
Definition
a crumbley, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other materials
Term
subsoil
Definition
usually consists of clay and other rock paticles wased down from the topsoil but little humus
Term
decomposer
Definition
the organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them with chemicals
Term
sod
Definition
the thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil
Term
renewable resource
Definition
resource that is naturally replaced in a relatively short time
Term
Dust Bowl
Definition
the area of the Great Plains where wind erosion caused soil loss durring the 1930's
Term
soil conservation
Definition
the management of soil to prevent its destruction
Term
contour plowing
Definition
the practise of plowing fields along the curves and slopes of the field
Term
litter
Definition
the loose layer made when plants shed thier leaves
Term
loam
Definition
soil that is made up of about equal parts of clay, sand and silt
Term
conservation plowing
Definition
disturbs the soil and its plant cover as little as possible
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