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Weathering & Soil Formation
Ch. 7
33
Science
7th Grade
12/04/2006

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Term
Weathering
Definition
the 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
the type of weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces
Term
abrasion
Definition
refers to the grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind or gravity
Term
ice wedging
Definition
wedges of ice in rocks widen and deepen cracks
Term
chemical weathering
Definition
the pocess that breaks down rock through chemical changes
Term
permeable
Definition
a material is full of tiny, connected air spaces that allow water to seep through it
Term
soil
Definition
the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow
Term
bedrock
Definition
the solid layer of rock beneath the soil
Term
humus
Definition
a dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay
Term
loam
Definition
soil that is made up of about equal parts of clay, sand, and silt
Term
soil horizon
Definition
a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it
Term
topsoil
Definition
a crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals
Term
subsoil
Definition
usually consists of clay and other particles washed down from the A horizon, but little humus (horizon B)
Term
litter
Definition
the loose layers formed as plants shed leaves
Term
decomposers
Definition
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 (keeps the soil in place and held onto moisture)
Term
renewable resource
Definition
one that is naturally replaced in a relatively short time
Term
Dust Bowl
Definition
an area where wind erosion caused severe loss of topsoil during the 1930's
Term
soil conservation
Definition
the management of soil to prevent its destruction
Term
contour plowing
Definition
the practice of plowing fields along the curves of a slope
Term
conservation plowing
Definition
disturbs the soil and its plant cover as little as possible
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