Soil Components

All soil is made up of air, water, decayed plant materials, numerous kinds of living and/or dead organisms (organic matter), and mineral matter (sand, silt, clay). The soil composition, however, can be dramatically changed by pedestrian and vehicular traffic, especially when the soil is wet. Soil components most easily changed are the amounts of soil air and water.

Composition of undisturbed soil, by volume, is 45 percent mineral matter, 25 percent soil water, 25 percent soil air, and 5 percent organic matter. Composition of compacted soil, by volume, is 74 percent mineral matter, 18 percent soil water, 6 percent soil air, and 2 percent organic matter.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007