Origin of the mineral part of the soil, what it consists of and characteristics

In order to successfully grow various crops, you need to have a good understanding of the composition of soils and understand what the mineral part of the soil is formed from and consists of. It is composed of particles of different sizes and has different compositions, which provides a variety of types of soils on the planet. Its formation is influenced by dozens of factors, including those related to human activity.


Origin and composition of the mineral part of the soil

The mineral component of the soil was formed during the weathering of rocks and minerals located in the upper layer of the lithosphere.

Metamorphosis, that is, the transformation of some components into others as a result of the influence of the following factors, also has a serious impact on the mineral composition of the soil:

  1. Physical.
  2. Chemical.
  3. Biogenic, that is, associated with the activities of living nature, including microorganisms and flora.

The mineral composition of the soil differs more from the original rock and minerals the longer it exists. The mineral part reaches 55-60% of the soil volume and makes up 90-97% of its mass. This means that it is this component that plays the main role in the quality and suitability of soils for growing crops.

basic terminology

Processes of formation of minerals and rocks

The main processes of formation of minerals and rocks are divided into two types:

  1. Deep (endogenous), occurring in the depths of the planet and powered by the energy of its core. These processes form primary minerals and base rocks (mostly of the crystalline type). They are divided into igneous and metamorphic.
  2. Superficial (exogenous), occurring on the surface under the influence of solar energy. In this way, the bulk of secondary minerals and sedimentary rocks are formed.

Magmatic processes are characterized by occurring at high pressure and temperature. Magma rises from the depths of the Earth, crystallizes, and leads to the formation of igneous rocks.

volcano explosion

There are several variants of magmatic processes, but the essence of them all is the rise of molten magma and the formation of base rocks from it.After this, other processes come into play related to pressure, temperature, movement of layers and their mixing, as well as the influence of hot water flows heated by the volcanic activity of the planet. Passing through different rocks, water washes out components from them, forms salts and transports them over close or long distances, giving life to new minerals.

Biogenic processes of mineral formation

These processes of mineral formation are associated with the life activity of biological organisms. Dozens of living creatures form mineral-based skeletons or deposit minerals in their tissues. In this way, calcite crystals, native sulfur that appears in colonies of blue-green algae near thermal springs and geysers, some silica derivatives - chalcedony and opals, as well as mother of pearl and jewelry of biological origin - pearls are formed.

water geyser

Some species of river and sea mollusks can produce ultra-thin layers of aragonite, which are interspersed with equally transparent layers of biological matter. Hundreds and thousands of layers form pearlescent shimmer due to the penetration of light into the complex structure.

Expert:
After the death of organisms, their mineral remains accumulate for millions of years at the bottom of reservoirs, are compressed, turning into biogenic sedimentary rocks such as shell rock, limestone, diatomite, and so on.

The decomposition of dying aquatic plants leads to the formation of hydrogen sulfide, which rises to the upper layers of the reservoir, combines with oxygen and is oxidized to sulfates. When sulfates react with salts dissolved in water, native sulfur and sulfuric acid are deposited. In turn, the acid combines with calcium in the water and causes the formation of gypsum.

rock layers

Sulfur deposits are also formed by anaerobic bacteria that live outside water bodies in continental gypsum deposits.
Thanks to the activity of living organisms, the carbon content in soils is 20 times greater than in the earth’s crust, and the amount of nitrogen is 10 times greater. The natural process of soil formation lasts extremely slowly, but human agricultural activity and land improvement accelerate its formation, enrich it and change its composition.

Metamorphic processes of mineral formation

They are associated with the degeneration of previously formed mineralogical components of exogenous and endogenous origin under the influence of changed physical and chemical conditions. The main role in the change of old and the emergence of new minerals is played by pressure, as well as changes in temperature.

Such impacts span impressive time spans, measured not in thousands, but in millions and even billions of years. However, the specificity of metamorphism is that, along with long-term influence, the state of minerals can also be affected by momentary processes, from the point of view of history and mineralogy.

conditions for education

The following types of metamorphism exist:

  1. Autometamorphism.
  2. Dynamometamorphism.
  3. Contact.
  4. Regional.

Metamorphism at high temperatures and pressure most often does not cause melting, but it can change the chemical composition of the original “raw material” and its physical characteristics, as well as the shape of future mineral deposits. This action ensures the diversity of minerals on the planet and leads to the formation of mineral deposits.

formation figures

Rock formation

Based on their origin, rocks are divided into the following:

  1. Igneous - can be effusive, that is, formed by erupted magma frozen on the surface, or intrusive, that is, frozen and crystallized inside the earth's crust and mantle. They are the basis of the lithosphere, occupying up to 95% of its total mass. They play a weak role as soil-forming plants, mainly occurring in mountainous areas. Depending on the ratio of mineral substances, they can be acidic, with a high percentage of silica, and basic (neutral and alkaline). Acidic - loose, contain gravel, rich in potassium, but due to their pH level they are low in nutritional value for plants. The main ones contain a lot of bases and humus, are distinguished by their dark color and high fertility.
  2. Metamorphic - formed as a result of the degeneration of existing minerals.
  3. Sedimentary - are a product of weathering and destruction of other rocks, precipitation from water, and the vital activity of biological organisms.

Thus, numerous and varied forces are involved in the formation of rocks.

formation of rocks

Classification, distribution and main characteristics of soil-forming rocks

Parent, or soil-forming, rocks are weathered, loose rocks. In the process of further soil formation, they become the basis for different types of soils.

Weathering becomes the main factor in the formation of source rocks. All rocks are destroyed at different speeds and intensities, due to which they have different characteristics and properties.

leaves and soil

Soil-forming rocks:

  1. Eluvium.
  2. Aeolian deposits.
  3. Loess.
  4. Colluvial deposits.
  5. Proluvial deposits.
  6. Alluvial deposits.
  7. Lake sediments.
  8. Marine coastal sediments.
  9. Glacial deposits.
  10. Fluvioglacial deposits.
  11. Band clays.
  12. Cover loams.
  13. Loess-like loams.

Depending on the origin they are divided into:

  1. Sedimentary, formed at the bottom of reservoirs - fresh and salty.
  2. Clastics resulting from physical and chemical weathering.
  3. Metamorphic, based on the substance of the Earth's mantle.

Parent rocks largely determine the chemical, mineralogical, mechanical composition, fertility and physical characteristics of soils. The distribution and quality of modern soils is directly related to what minerals lie beneath them.

Expert:
Sediment layers in places of ancient reservoirs provide nutritious fertile or sandy soils; places into which deteriorating components were washed away from nearby hills are characterized by thick layers of soil.

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