Page 3 - 2. Lesson notes- Mineral riches in the soil
P. 3
• The mineral nutrients present in the soil are determined by the rock it was formed from.
These make the soil porous and aerate the soil. As a result, the quality of the soil and
the soil structure are improved.
SOIL EROSION:
Soil erosion is a gradual process of movement and transport of the upper layer of soil (topsoil)
by different agents – particularly water, wind, and mass movement – causing loss of quality in
the long term.
Soil Forming Minerals
The minerals comprise of 40 to 45% of the total components of soil. The most common minerals
include sodium, potassium and nitrogen. The other important minerals present in soil are
mentioned below:
✓ Hematite(Iron)-Red to blackish red in color.
✓ Limonite- Hydrated ferric oxide, yellow to brown in color.
✓ Calcite- White or colorless, major constituent of sedimentary rocks, consisting of calcium
carbonate.
