SSC 200 QUIZ 2

Sandstones are good examples of metamorphic rocks. Select one: True False

False

Animals, insects and worms affect soil formation primarily by mixing the soil, which increases the porespace where air and water move. Select one: True False

True

Hydrolysis involves the splitting of water into its H+ and OH- components while hydration attaches intact water molecules to a compound. Select one: True False

True

A soil developed in transported parent materials will likely have properties related to the properties of the rock below the C horizon. Select one: True False

False

Alluvial parent materials are those that have been laid down in former lake bottoms. Select one: True False

False

In most B horizons one of the dominant processes of soil formation has been eluviation. Select one: True False

False

Iron and aluminum oxides are major components of igneous rocks. Select one: True False

False

Residual parent materials have generally been subjected to weathering for a longer period of time than have lacustrine or alluvial parent materials. Select one: True False

True

Secondary minerals are recrystallized products of the chemical breakdown and/or alteration of primary minerals. Select one: True False

True

The O horizons of a soil are dominantly organic horizons occurring above mineral horizons. Select one: True False

True

Which mineral is most resistant to weathering under humid temperate conditions? Select one: a. gypsum b. muscovite c. biotite d. gibbsite e. dolomite

d. gibbsite

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic are three ________

types of rocks

Even if all the glaciers present today in the world were to melt, the melt water would have no measurable effect on the level of the world's oceans. Select one: True False

False

Glacial till can be recognized by the distinct layering of different kinds of particles. Select one: True False

False

Glacial till is laid down by melt waters gushing out from the front of glaciers. Select one: True False

False

Soils developed in wind-blown parent materials such as loess are generally of little agricultural value. Select one: True False

False

The C horizons are generally more completely weathered than the other horizons. Select one: True False

False

The topmost horizon in most humid region forest soils is the A horizon. Select one: True False

False

Weathering of rocks usually is most intense in the center of a rock fragment, and gradually decreases toward the outside. Select one: True False

False

A soil developed in residual parent materials will likely have properties related to the properties of the rock below the C horizon. Select one: True False

True

Chemical weathering is accelerated by water, oxygen, and organic and inorganic acids moving down through the regolith. Select one: True False

True

Climate influences not only the rate of weathering but the type of native vegetation dominant in an area. Select one: True False

True

Eluviation of clay, iron, and other materials is the principal process responsible for the formation of an E horizon. Select one: True False

True

Igneous rocks are formed when molten magma cools and solidifies. Select one: True False

True

Marine sediments are typical parent materials in coastal plain areas. Select one: True False

True

Minerals containing iron are generally more resistant to chemical breakdown than minerals that contain CaCO3. Select one: True False

True

Organic deposits are common in areas where water ponds for extended periods of time. Select one: True False

True

The element most often involved in oxidation reactions as minerals weather is ________. Select one: a. iron b. silicon c. copper d. magnesium e. aluminum

a. iron

Igneous rocks can best be characterized as ________. Select one: a. rocks formed when molten magma solidifies b. rocks formed from the recrystallization of sedimentary material c. rocks containing a mixture of primary and secondary minerals d. rocks containing both feldspars and micas

a. rocks formed when molten magma solidifies

Exfoliation is caused by changes in ________. Select one: a. temperature b. carbon dioxide dissolution c. oxidation d. hydration e. all of the above

a. temperature

Mechanical weathering processes result in ________. Select one: a. the disintegration of rocks due to differential expansion of minerals b. the hydrolysis of minerals through frost action c. the oxidation of iron and manganese compounds d. the decomposition of primary minerals

a. the disintegration of rocks due to differential expansion of minerals

"Biotite --> clay --> iron oxide" represents a ________. Select one: a. weathering sequence b. catena c. toposequence d. both A and B e. none of the above

a. weathering sequence

The presence of rocks such as shale and sandstone indicate the existence of ________

ancient seas

In which of the following horizons has the process of illuviation most likely occurred? Select one: a. O horizon b. B horizon c. E horizon d. C horizon e. A horizon

b. B horizon

Glacial till is a term used to describe parent materials that ________. Select one: a. were transported by water gushing from glacial fronts. b. contain a heterogeneous mixture of mineral debris dropped by receding glaciers. c. are sorted by rapidly flowing melt waters. d. were laid down in the bottom of former glacial lakes. e. were transported by high winds during glacial periods.

b. contain a heterogeneous mixture of mineral debris dropped by receding glaciers.

Which of the following is not considered one of the five major factors influencing soil formation? Select one: a. living organisms b. valence state c. topography d. climate e. native parent materials

b. valence state

Which of the following statements is correct? Select one: a. Soils on hillsides tend to be deeper than those on level lands. b. Nutrient cycling in forested areas contributes little to soil formation. c. Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby. d. Calcium carbonate accumulation is more prominent in humid than in arid regions. e. Limestone parent materials enhance the process of acidification.

c. Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby.

Which of the following statements is not correct? Select one: a. Coniferous forests are found mostly in cool humid areas. b. Where dense forests are found, soil profiles have prominent O horizons. c. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering. d. The type of native vegetation is controlled primarily by climate. e. Grasslands are found in semi-arid and sub-humid areas.

c. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

The presence of rocks such as shale and sandstone indicate the existence of ________. Select one: a. a high water table b. iron-rich minerals c. ancient seas d. highly weathered soils e. old mountain ranges

c. ancient seas

The mixed angular gravel, rock, and soil found at the foot of a slope is typical of what type of parent material? Select one: a. fluvial b. lacustrine c. colluvial d. glacial e. eolian

c. colluvial

Which of the following is not a secondary mineral? Select one: a. gibbsite b. calcite c. hornblende d. silicate clay

c. hornblende

Granite is an example of a(n) ________. Select one: a. eolian parent material b. primary mineral c. igneous rock d. secondary mineral e. sedimentary rock

c. igneous rock

The transformation of gneiss into smaller mica, quartz, and feldspar pieces is an example of ________. Select one: a. chemical weathering b. elluviation c. physical weathering d. hydration

c. physical weathering

Glacial till is a term used to describe parent materials that ________

contain a heterogeneous mixture of mineral debris dropped by receding glaciers

Organic matter accumulation is most pronounced in the ________. Select one: a. C horizon b. B horizon c. A horizon d. O horizon e. E horizon

d. O horizon

Secondary minerals are most prominent in the ________ fraction of soils. Select one: a. sand b. silt c. organic d. clay

d. clay

Residual parent materials are best described as ________. Select one: a. upland materials formed with relatively little chemical weathering. b. materials more dominant in Iowa than in the Southern United States. c. materials transported from one location to another by water, ice or wind. d. materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place. e. materials formed under organic residues.

d. materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place.

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic are three ________. Select one: a. master horizon names b. forms of minerals c. processes of weathering d. types of rocks e. basic classes of soils

d. types of rocks

Silicate clay accumulation is most common in the ________. Select one: a. C horizon b. O Horizon c. E horizon d. A horizon e. B horizon

e. B horizon

Which of the following statements is not correct? Select one: a. Grasslands are found in semi-arid and sub-humid areas. b. Coniferous forests are found mostly in cool humid areas. c. The type of native vegetation is controlled primarily by climate. d. Where dense forests are found, soil profiles have prominent O horizons. e. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

e. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

If you wanted to find a soil where physical weathering dominated over chemical breakdown you would be most apt to find it in ________. Select one: a. a coastal plain area of Delaware b. a humid region in Brazil c. a lacustrine deposit in Minnesota d. the hill lands of Georgia e. a desert region of Arizona

e. a desert region of Arizona

Granite is an example of a(n) ________

igneous rock

The element most often involved in oxidation reactions as minerals weather is ________

iron

Residual parent materials are best described as ________

materials formed by weathering of rocks and minerals in place

The transformation of gneiss into smaller mica, quartz, and feldspar pieces is an example of ________

physical weathering

Calcite, Gibbsite, Silicate Clay are all examples of ______ minerals

secondary

Exfoliation is caused by changes in ________

temperature

Mechanical weathering processes result in ________

the disintegration of rocks due to differential expansion of minerals

"Biotite --> clay --> iron oxide" represents a ________

weathering sequence