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Physical Soil Properties---El Paso County Area,Colorado <br /> Physical Soil Properties <br /> This table shows estimates of some physical characteristics and features that affect <br /> soil behavior. These estimates are given for the layers of each soil in the survey <br /> area. The estimates are based on field observations and on test data for these and <br /> similar soils. <br /> Depth to the upper and lower boundaries of each layer is indicated. <br /> Particle size is the effective diameter of a soil particle as measured by <br /> sedimentation, sieving, or micrometric methods. Particle sizes are expressed as <br /> classes with specific effective diameter class limits. The broad classes are sand, <br /> silt, and clay, ranging from the larger to the smaller. <br /> Sand as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.05 millimeter to <br /> 2 millimeters in diameter. In this table, the estimated sand content of each soil layer <br /> is given as a percentage, by weight,of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters <br /> in diameter. <br /> Silt as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.002 to 0.05 <br /> millimeter in diameter. In this table, the estimated silt content of each soil layer is <br /> given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters <br /> in diameter. <br /> Clay as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are less than 0.002 <br /> millimeter in diameter. In this table, the estimated clay content of each soil layer is <br /> given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters <br /> in diameter. <br /> The content of sand, silt, and clay affects the physical behavior of a soil. Particle <br /> size is important for engineering and agronomic interpretations, for determination <br /> of soil hydrologic qualities, and for soil classification. <br /> The amount and kind of clay affect the fertility and physical condition of the soil and <br /> the ability of the soil to adsorb cations and to retain moisture. They influence shrink- <br /> swell potential, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), plasticity, the ease of soil <br /> dispersion, and other soil properties. The amount and kind of clay in a soil also <br /> affect tillage and earthmoving operations. <br /> Moist bulk density is the weight of soil (ovendry) per unit volume. Volume is <br /> measured when the soil is at field moisture capacity, that is, the moisture content <br /> at 1/3-or 1/10-bar(33kPa or 10kPa) moisture tension. Weight is determined after <br /> the soil is dried at 105 degrees C. In the table, the estimated moist bulk density of <br /> each soil horizon is expressed in grams per cubic centimeter of soil material that is <br /> less than 2 millimeters in diameter. Bulk density data are used to compute linear <br /> extensibility, shrink-swell potential, available water capacity, total pore space, and <br /> other soil properties. The moist bulk density of a soil indicates the pore space <br /> available for water and roots. Depending on soil texture, a bulk density of more than <br /> 1.4 can restrict water storage and root penetration. Moist bulk density is influenced <br /> by texture, kind of clay, content of organic matter, and soil structure. <br /> USDA Natural Resources Web Soil Survey 6/10/2016 <br /> Conservation Service National Cooperative Soil Survey Page 1 of 5 <br />