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Biology and Chemistry of Soil Experiment
kit #32
Time to play in the dirt! Students conduct a thorough evaluation of their local soil. They use simple, easy-to-follow staining procedures and microscopes to observe and identify a range of soil biota. Students then test the soil for cation exchange capacity and pH and relate these characteristics to its ability to support plant growth. All tests are performed using either a Chemplate® or calibrated sample tubes.
- Identify the type and variety of soil biota
- Calculate the cation exchange capacity
- Determine soil pH
- Correlate soil pH to % base saturation
- Use staining technique and microscopes
- (optional) Calculate the lime requirement for soil
Content List in Biology and Chemistry of Soil Experiment is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 50 | Cup, plastic |
| 50 | Glass microscope slide |
| 12 | Tube, calibrated |
| 12 | Lab-Aids Chemplate |
| 4 | Phenolic Rose Bengal, Drop control bottle |
| 3 | Barium Chloride Solution, Drop control bottle |
| 2 | pH Soil Indicator Solution, Drop control bottle |
| 1 | Potassium Dichromate Solution, Drop control bottle |
| 50 | Student Guide |
| 1 | Teacher’s Guide |
| 1 | Safety Data Sheet (SDS) packet |
- Number of students
- 50
- Number of groups
- Maximum 12 groups per period
To complete this kit requires two to three ~50-minute class periods.
