IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
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| Soil Image by Pexel |
What is meant by a
pure substance?
A pure substance is any substance whose composition is made of either a
single type of compound or a single type of atom. A pure substance has definite
composition and definite property. Once a substance has more than one type of
atom or molecule, it is considered a mixture.
Differences between a
mixture and a pure substance
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PURE SUBSTANCES |
MIXTURES |
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Cannot be separated by physical means into two new individual
products. |
Can be separated using different physical separation techniques. |
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The chemical and physical properties of pure substances are constant. |
The chemical and physical properties of mixtures are not constant. |
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Pure substances are made of single compounds or elements. |
Mixtures are made of more than one compound or element. |
IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
What is soil?
Understanding whether or not the soil is a pure substance comes with
understanding what exactly soil is. Unfortunately, many people do not
understand this as there are varying incorrect and laymen definitely for the
term "soil."
However, here is a correct definition of soil from a reliable source.
This definition is from the soil science society of America (SSSA).
Soil is the unconsolidated organic material or mineral on Earth's
immediate surface that serves as a natural growth medium of land plants. (Il)
The unconsolidated organic matter or mineral on the earth's surface that has
over time been subjected to, and shows the effect of environmental and genetic
factors of; climate and micro and macro-organisms that are conditioned by
relief and are acting on parent material over a longer time frame.
Is soil a pure
substance or a mixture?
Soil is a mixture and not a pure substance. The reason is because the
components of soil are physically present in the same place without having a
chemical bond.
These substances can be separated too without needing any kind of
chemical reaction. And this is the definition of a mixture.
The fact that soil consists of different types of substances without
chemical bonds that can be separated through physical means makes the soil a
mixture, not a pure substance.
IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
What is soil
substance?
Generally, soil contains 5% organic matter, 25% air, 20% water, and
40-45% inorganic matter.
For the sustainment of plants' life, a proper combination of mineral,
air, water, and organic materials is compulsory.
The chemical composition of the soil is;
- Some
top four elements — Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen.
- Traces
of certain elements or micronutrients — Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium,
Sulphur, and Phosphorus.
- Neutral
pH — 6.3-6.8 this is great for many plants.
- Micronutrients
— Chlorine, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Molybdenum, and Iron.
IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
Why is soil not considered a pure substance?
Soil is not considered a pure substance because it is made of different
components that are different elements and compounds. Soil is not a pure
substance because the components that make up soil do not have chemical bonds
and can be physically separated.
Soil is a heterogeneous mixture and not a pure substance. Soil has no
physical or chemical properties like a melting point or boiling point. It also
does not have a constant and fixed structure.
What type of mixture is soil?
Soil is a heterogeneous mixture. This is because it consists of
different parts of elements that are distinguishable. And these elements are
chemically inconsistent.
And as we have seen, the soil is chemically inconsistent. This makes it
a heterogeneous mixture.
In a homogenous mixture, the mixed components are distributed uniformly
throughout the mixture throughout. This means they are uniform
throughout. But this is not the case with soil.
In soil, some parts have more concentration of some of its components.
There is no equal distribution of each existing element present in the
soil.
Some parts have more water and some parts have more microbes. Two
different soil samples from the same location are very likely to show different
water and microorganisms concentrations.
There is hardly the possibility of attaining homogeneity in soil, even
if you are to grind it to a fine powder. There will always be the inconsistency
of the concentration of the elements that are present therein.
IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
Are soil and water a water colloid?
No, soil and water are not colloids. It is a suspension because of its
heterogeneous nature. There is no dissolution of the particles as they remain
suspended throughout the medium bulk. The existing parties in a suspension are
always visible without the use of a microscope.
Colloids are substances that consist of particles which are
substantially larger than ordinary molecules or atoms, albeit, cannot be viewed
with the naked eye.
IS SOIL A PURE SUBSTANCE? Soil as a Living thing
Is soil a solution?
No. Soil is not a solution because it is not a homogenous mixture. A
solution involves the dissolution of one or more substances. But this is not
the case with soil.
There is a soil solution though, but the soil itself is not a solution.
A soil solution is a medium through which the solution and the surface reaction
take place.
This aqueous solution consists of dissolved matter obtained from the
soil's biochemical and chemical process and from an exchange with the biosphere
and hydrosphere.
Is soil a living thing or not?
Figuratively, the soil is a living thing. Soil is considered a living
thing because it is a hub for living microorganisms.