Soil texture The number on the hydrometer that is visible (above the soil solution) is recorded. A blank (containing only water and the dispersing agent) is used to calibrate the hydrometer. The values recorded from the readings are used to calculate the percent clay, silt and sand. The blank is subtracted from each of the three readings. The calculations are as follows: Percent silt = ( dried mass of soil - (sand hydrometer reading - blank reading) / (dried mass of soil) *100 Percent clay = (clay hydrometer reading - blank reading) / (dried mass of soil) *100 Percent sand = 100
Serpentine soil tolerant of extreme soil conditions, including: Physically these areas are characteristically steep, rocky, and vulnerable to erosion, which results in shallow soils. The shallow soils and sparse vegetation lead to elevated soil temperatures and dry conditions. Serpentine is a unique classification of soils as they are relatively rare, and exhibit distinct chemical properties. The soil in appearance is often reddish, brown, or gray in color. The parent material for serpentine soil is mostly derived from the rock serpentine, noted for its waxy greenish-silver to bluish-silver appearance. The rock has white streaks of mineral running through it that contain naturally occurring