EVT 533

EXPERIMENT : SOIL BULK DENSITY

TITTLE

Soil bulk density

OBJECTIVES

1. To collect field sample for bulk density measurement.

2. To determine bulk density and factors that affects soil bulk density.
3. To compare bulk density of compacted soil and non-compacted soil.

INTRODUCTION

Bulk density is defined as weight of soil in a given volume. Bulk density is refers to the weight
which mass of soil per unit and it is normally expressed in g/cm3. Bulk density also is an indicator
of soil compaction and soil health and it affects infiltration, rooting depth or restrictions, available
water capacity, soil porosity, plant nutrient availability and soil microorganism activity.

To determine the bulk density, soil structure and texture largely was analyzed. Soil structure are
refers to the arrangement of soil particles aggregates. Bulk density also depend on soil organic
matter, soil texture, the density of soil mineral such as sand, silt, and clay and also packing
arrangement. Another than that, inherent factors that affect bulk density such as soil texture cannot
be changed.

Bulk density value of fine-textured soils are commonly range from 1.0 to 1.3 g/cm3 and soil sandy
value range 1.3 -1.7 g/cm3. Soils sandy are usually light.
PROCEDURES

Field Sampling

1. Sampling location was identified and surface of vegetation was cleared. The entire sampling
cylinder was pushed into the soil and a scoop was used to clear excess soil at the top of
sampling cylinder. If necessary, the soil was wet to ease insertion of sampling cylinder into the
soil, or placed a piece of wood over the cylinder and hit the wood with a hammer.
2. Trowel was used, dig around the can to remove the surrounding soil and the sampling cylinder.
The soil from the top and around the edges of the can was trimmed so that the volume of the
soil is the same as the volume of the can.
3. The labeled cylinder was covered with lid.
4. Steps 1-3 was repeated for collecting two samples with different compaction level.

Laboratory Work

1. The plastic cover was removed and the soil samples from sampling cylinder was spread on
paper to remove debris and rock by hand by using glove and air dry the samples for 1 to 2 hour.
The debris of free samples was weigh in pre-weight aluminum boat and all the weight result
was recorded.
2. Sieve was used (2 mm mesh) to screen dried soil sample over a large sheet of paper. Isolated
rocks and other debris was immersed in 100 mL graduated cylinder that filled with 30 mL of
water. All the volume of displaced water was recorded. The pre-weigh was dried and soil
sample was sieved in an oven at 105℃ overnight.
3. Dried soil was put in dried desiccator and weight all the sample when cooled. All the data was
recorded.
RESULTS

Parameters Unit Soil 1 Soil 2

(non-compacted soil) (compacted soil)
Weight of soil container g 3.22 3.20

Weight of containers + air-dried soil g 96.3222 96.0548

sample
Weight of oven-dried soil + weight of g 86.5679 93.8343
container
Weight of oven-dried soil, wov g 83.3479 90.6743

Sampling cylinder

Radius, r cm 2.75 2.75

Length, l cm 7.00 7.00

Volume, VTS cm3 166.31 166.31

Volume of debris and rocks

Initial volume, Vi mL 30.00 30.00

Final volume, Vf mL 42.00 76.00

Volume debris, VD mL 12.00 46.00

Volume of solid + porous mL 154.31 120.31

VF = VTS - VD
Soil Bulk Density (DB) g/cm3 0.5401 0.7536
CALCULATION

SOIL BULK DENSITY

3.6 b) Volume of sampling cylinder

VTS = 𝝅𝒓𝟐 𝒍
= 𝜋(2.75)2 (7.00)
= 166.31 cm3

3.6 c) Soil Bulk Density, DB

SOIL 1 ( NON COMPACTED SOIL)

DS = WOV

VF

= 83.3479

154.31

= 0.5401 g/cm3

SOIL 2 (COMPACTED SOIL)

DS = WOV

VF

= 90.673

120.31

= 0.7536 g/cm3
DISCUSSION

In this experiment, there were taken two sample of soil which are one sample compacted soil and
another one non-compacted soil. From this two sample, the bulk density of these soil was
determined by using formula DB = WOV , which means weight of oven-dried soil divided by

VF

Volume of solid + porous.

From the result, it showed that soil compacted have higher bulk density with 0.7536 g/cm 3 than
non-compacted soil with 0.5401 g/cm3. Based on Eric and Seth (2015), they said that soil
compaction caused by heavy machinery which is known to increase the bulk density. It also
reduced porosity and markedly limits root ground. Another than that, soil compaction also occur
due to natural process, low soil pores and increased the bulk density. Soil compaction had occur
when pressure is applied in soil surface (Eric and Seth, 2015). Van den Akker (2008) also conclude
that soil compaction as the densification and distortion of soil by which total and air-filled porosity
are reduced and causing deterioration or loss of one or more soil fraction.

For non-compacted soil it had low density bulk because of the accumulation of organic matter.
From the accumulation of organic matter, it can lowers the bulk density and the particle density of
organic matter is much less than that mineral particles. Next, organic matter can also promote the
formation and stabilization of soil aggregates that can low the bulk density.

Higher bulk density can give a poorer environment for root growth, reduced aeratory and
undesirable change in hydrologic function such as reduced water infiltration.

There are have another way to determined the volume of sampling cylinder which is volume by
pycnometry. Pycnometry is defined as a technique that uses the density relationship between
volumeand mass and the vessel used is called a pycnometer. Next is particle density method which
is volume of a known mass of soil solids is determined by indirectly measuring the volume of
water displaced by the soil solid.

Allison (2006) said that bulk density greatly reduced the root density varied with soil increases.
Bulk density of mineral soils are usually ranges from 1.1 to 1.5 g/cm3 in surface horizon. The soil
increase with depth and tends to be high in sands and compacted pan horizons. Soil bulk density
will change due to soil compaction because soil bulk density is indicator of soil compaction related
to soil texture.

Proportion of the total volume of the soil is comprised of pores in an ideal agriculture soil is
porosity in group mesopore with approximately size between 30 to 75 µm. The pores will filled
with water at field capacity and it also known as a storage pores because of the ability to store
water useful to plants. Mesopore not have capillary force too great so that the water dpes not
becaome limiting to the plants. These mesopore is ideally full or contain liquid to have successful
plant growth in agriculture. Ratlan and Manej (2004) conclude that the porosity or soil architecture
is the functional entry of soil structure and to determine the amounts of water and air. It also
fracture for root penetration.

Common error that usually occur when measuring the bulk density is disrupting the soil while
sampling, inaccurate trimming and inaccurate measuring of the volume of the ring. In conclusion,
bulk density has significant affected by soil compaction.

CONCLUSION

The soil sample was collected by using a ring. The bulk density was determined by weight of oven
– dried soil divided by volume of solid + porous and soil texture affect the bulk density. At last,
bulk density of compacted soil (0.7536 g/cm3) is higher than non-compacted soil (0.5401 g/cm3).

REFERENCES

Allison A. Tokunaga. (2006). Effect of bulk density and soil strength on the growth of blue wildrye
(Elymos Glcucus Bucks). Retrieved from humbolot-
dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/2148/77/allisontokunaga-thesis-pdf?sequenze=1

Eric K.A.Twum and Seth Nil-Annang. (2015). Impact of Soil Compaction on Bulk Density and
Root Biomass of Quercus petraea L. at Reclaimed Post-Lignite Mining Site in
Lusatia,Germany. Journal of applied and environmental soil science 15,1-5, DOI :
10.1155/2015/504603
Van den Akker J.J.H., and Hoongland, T. (2011). Comparison of rosk assessment methods to
determine the subsoil compaction risk of agriculture soils in the The Netherlanda. Soil
& Tillage Research 114, 146-154.