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Connections between the chemical composition and Munsel color of coastal soils in relation to the distance from the sea
Organization(s):Estonian Learning Expedition
Country:Estonia
Student(s):Regina Univer, Oskar Rotar, Vita Košir, Tetjana Pitsiva, Yaroslav Vasuschenko, Ivan Hniezdilov, Roosi Pehlak, Mari Lee Lumberg, Johanna Tammist
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Päärn Paiste
Contributors:Johanna Raudsepp
Laura Altin
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Bulk Density, Soil Characterization, Soil Fertility, Soil Moisture - Gravimetric, Soil Particle Density, Soil Particle Size Distribution, Soil pH, Soil Temperature
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/09/2023
In the course of our field work, the soil composition on the northern side of the
Käsmu peninsula was investigated. The research area quickly transitioned from
sandy beaches into pine forests with blueberry ground cover. The geography
seemed to be mainly affected by the sea, except near the third site where glacial
erratic boulders could be observed. A transect was drawn from the coast with three
dig sites picked alongside it, although due to rocky terrain preventing the digging, the
third site was slightly offset.
The sites were analysed using GLOBE pedosphere protocols. Ground temperature,
cloud cover and local flora were measured. The soil was separated into layers and
sampled. The composition of the samples was analysed and given its corresponding
Munsell colour code. A correlation between the redness of the soil and its iron
content was observed. Contrary to our hypothesis, samples from site 1 and 2 did not
contain more strontium than site 3, but could be linked to changing salinity of the
seawater in the study area.
Our findings correlated with existing soil maps with site 1 classified as sandy soil with
some biomass, site 2 podzol and site 3 as gleyed podzol.