Is Volcanic Soil More Fertile
Than Non Volcanic Soil?
Log Book – Year 5
The aim of this investigation is to test if Volcanic
Soil is more fertile than Non-Volcanic Soil
We will investigate the soil from Saddleback Mountain Jamberoo and the soil from
Robertson Potato Farm (the land of extinct volcanoes) and how fertile the soil is
compared to 2 other soil areas in the Illawarra area, Gwynneville Woodland and Mt.
Keira Scout Camp where volcanoes have not existed.
PART 1:Take 4 soil samples:(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Soil from Saddleback Mountain Jamberoo
Soil from Robertson Potato Farm
Soil from Gwynneville Woodland
Soil from Mt. Keira Scout Camp
Place soil samples in pots and grow seedlings and compare growth over a period of
4 weeks to determine which soil was more fertile for growing plants. Graph results.
PART 2:Visually compare the 4 environments and surroundings where the soil was taken and
show photos and observations of findings. Research other volcanic areas around the
world and what they grow.
PART 3:Do a pH soil test to test the pH level of the 4 samples of soil and graph results.
PRESENTATION
1.
Story board with findings and answers.
2.
Build a small model of a volcano with fertile vegetable garden and show the
closer to a volcano the more fertile the soil is rich in nutrients and abundance
of growth and the further away from a volcano the less fertile the soil is. This
small display will be used in front of the story board as a prop with 4 cylinders
of soil showing what was tested.
PART 1
Aim: Take 4 soil samples from different locations as
listed below. 2 are volcanic soil and 2 are nonvolcanic soil and plant seedling plants and measure
growth over a period of 4 weeks.
Soil sample locations
Pearson’s Lane Potato Farm Robertson
Gwynneville Woodlands
Mt. Keira Lookout
Saddleback Mountain Jamberoo
Method Used:We went to the 4 properties listed above and took 1 large
bucket of soil from each area that would be used for our testing.
We put soil from the above locations into 6 pots for each area
so that we can plant our seedlings. We planted our seedlings
and then watered and measured the plants to have a starting
point for our measurements. 2 of the sample soils Saddleback
Mountain and Robertson Potato Farm were volcanic soil and
the other 2 locations Mt. Keira and Gwynneville Woodland were
non volcanic soil.
Therefore there were 6 pots of soil for each soil location (24
pots in total). All pots were labelled where the soil was from.
Seedlings planted were:Potatoes
Merrigold Flowers
Cucumber
Peas
Tomato plant
Beans
Soil taken from Gwynneville Woodlands
Soil taken from Mt. Keira Lookout
Red Soil taken from Pearsons Lane Robertson Potato Farm
Soil taken from Saddleback Mountain Jamberoo
Robertson Soil
Saddleback Mountain Soil
Gwynneville Woodland Soil
Mt. Keira Scout Camp Soil
Planting of plants in soil
Measuring Plants for a starting measurement
Watching our plants grow makes you SMILE!
Start
Saddleback
Growth
Mt Keira
Growth
Robertson
Growth
Gwynneville
Growth
Tomato
6cm
0cm
7cm
0cm
10cm
0cm
8cm
0cm
Cucumber
2cm
0cm
4cm
0cm
3.5cm
0cm
2cm
0cm
Beans
8cm
0cm
7cm
0cm
7cm
0cm
6cm
0cm
Pea
5.5cm
0cm
6cm
0cm
7cm
0cm
3cm
0cm
Merrigold
6.5cm
0cm
5.5cm
0cm
6cm
0cm
6cm
0cm
Potato
0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
0.0cm
0cm
0.0cm
0cm
Week 1
Saddleback
Growth
Mt Keira
Growth
Robertson
Growth
Gwynneville
Growth
Tomato
8cm
2cm
8cm
1cm
12cm
2cm
8cm
0cm
Cucumber
3.5cm
1.5cm
4cm
0cm
4cm
0.5cm
2.5cm
0.5cm
Beans
9cm
1cm
8.5cm
1.5cm
9.5cm
2.5cm
7.5cm
1.5cm
Pea
11cm
5.5cm
8.5cm
2.5cm
12.5cm
5.5cm
5cm
2cm
Merrigold
8cm
1.5cm
6cm
0.5cm
8cm
2cm
6cm
0cm
Potato
0.0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
0cm
Week 2
Saddleback
Growth
MtKeira
Growth
Robertson
Growth
Gwynneville
Growth
Tomato
9cm
3cm
8cm
1cm
12.5cm
2.5cm
8.5cm
0.5cm
Cucumber
4.5cm
2.5cm
4.5cm
0.5cm
4.5cm
1cm
3cm
1cm
Beans
9cm
1Cm
7.5cm
0.5cm
10cm
3cm
7.5cm
1.5cm
Pea
17cm
11.5cm
10.5cm
4.5cm
18cm
11cm
8cm
5cm
Merrigold
7.5cm
1cm
6.5cm
1cm
7.5cm
1.5cm
6cm
0cm
Potato
1cm
1cm
1cm
1cm
1.5cm
1.5cm
0cm
0cm
Week 3
Saddleback
Growth
Mt Keira
Growth
Robertson
Growth
Gwynneville
Growth
Tomato
10.5cm
4.5cm
9cm
2cm
15cm
5cm
8.5cm
0.5cm
Cucumber
6cm
4cm
5.5cm
1.5cm
4.5cm
1cm
3.5cm
1.5cm
Beans
8.5cm
0.5cm
7cm
0cm
10cm
3cm
7.5cm
1.5cm
Pea
28cm
22.5cm
11.5cm
4.5cm
21cm
14cm
7.5cm
4.5cm
Merrigold
8.5cm
2cm
6.5cm
1cm
8cm
2cm
6.5cm
0.5cm
Potato
12.5cm
12.5cm
6.5cm
6.5cm
11.5cm
11.5cm
3.5cm
3.5cm
Week 4
Saddleback
Growth
Mt Keira
Growth
Robertson
Growth
Gwynneville
Growth
Tomato
11.5cm
4.5cm
10cm
3cm
15.5cm
5.5cm
8cm
0cm
Cucumber
7cm
5cm
6.5cm
2.5cm
5cm
1.5cm
4cm
2cm
Beans
10.5cm
2.5cm
9cm
2cm
11cm
4cm
8cm
2cm
Pea
28cm
22.5cm
12cm
6cm
22cm
15cm
7cm
4cm
Merrigold
10cm
4.5cm
7.5cm
2cm
9cm
3cm
6cm
0.5cm
Potato
19.5cm
19.5cm
11cm
11cm
19cm
19cm
8cm
8cm
TOTAL
Saddleback
58.5cm
Mt Keira
26.5cm
Robertson
47cm
Gwynneville
16cm
CMS
PART 1 - TOTAL PLANT GROWTH FOR 4 WEEKS
25
20
15
SADDLEBACK
MT. KEIRA
ROBERTSON
10
GWYNNEVILLE
5
0
TOMATO CUCUMBER
BEANS
PEA
MERRIGOLD
PLANTS
POTATO
CMS
PLANT GROWTH OF SOIL GROUP FOR 4 WEEKS
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Saddleback
Mt Keira
Robertson
Gwynneville
SOIL LOCATIONS
Growth of Plants – Box 1
Growth of Plants – Box 2
PART 2
Aim:
Visually compare the 4 soil samples and the
environments and surroundings where the soil
was taken.
Method:
We took 1 large bucket of soil from each of the 4
properties. We looked at each soil sample and
then felt the soil with our hands. We came up
with the following findings:-
Saddleback Mountain Environment:
Dairy farms, vegetable gardens, weeds, streams, extinct volcano, green,
high fertile soil, moist soil, rich basalt soil, rolling hills, high rainfall, lush,
lookout, lots of cow poo, stream at bottom of valley.
What did the soil look and feel like:
Dark brown, rich colour, soft, powdery, healthy looking.
Robertson Potato Farm Environment:
Lush, farms, houses, green, shops, soft powdery soil, famous for potato
growing, rich basalt volcanic soil, high rain fall, larger land areas with
trees.
What did the soil look and feel like:
Red, rich in colour, fertile, soft and slightly moist.
Gwynneville Woodland Soil:
Logs, hard soil, leaf materials, weeds, dry, parks, schools, houses,
grass, bush track, shops, rocky, dead bushes, dead trees, small suburb,
small trees, large trees.
What did the soil look and feel like:
Hard, dry, dusty, messy, grey, rocky, didn’t absorb water well.
Mt. Keira Lookout Soil:
Sandy, Scout Camp, National Park, dry, bumpy, dark, lookout, schools,
hiking track, tourist location, houses, located in the Illawarra
escapement, landslide, activities, bush track.
What did the soil look and feel like:
Sandy, gritty, hard.
Robertson
Saddleback
Gwynneville
Mt. Keira
Volcanic Soils Around Australia and the
World and their Crops
Australia:
Robertson NSW
Potatoes
Kingaroy, QLD
Peanuts
Cairns, QLD
Banana’s
Mudgee, NSW
Grapes
Byron Bay, NSW
Coffee Beans
Milthorpe, NSW
Truffle
Cradle Coast, TAS
Olives
Saddleback Mt, NSW
Farming
Table Cape, TAS
Farming, Tulips and Pyrethrum
Ord River, WA
Chickpeas, mangoes, melon, pumpkins
and sugar cane
South Burnett, WA
Peanuts
Overseas:
New Zealand
Kiwi fruit
Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
Vines, Grapes, Olives, Beans, Cauliflower,
Onions, Lemon Trees, Herbs, Tomatoes
and flowers.
Mt. Etna, Italy
Grapes, Olives, Grains of rice, citrus, fruits.
Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines
Rice
WHAT IS VOLCANIC SOIL?
Around 8% of the population live close to a volcano because of the rich
fertile soil found on or around them making volcanic areas some of the
most agriculturally productive areas on Earth.
When a volcano erupts it can cause damage and destruction to the land
and its people, but one of the most positive effects is has on the land is
from the lava and ash it leaves behind. The ash and lava decompose
and bond with organic matter to create nutrients to the surrounding soil
which makes the soil very fertile. The soil is also low density, porous and
good at storing water, perfect for growing crops and allowing people to
become self-sufficient on the land. The further away from a volcano the
less fertile the soil is known to be.
Reference Example of what Volcanic soil is:
From Lava to Rich Fertile Soil…
http://www.think-tasmania.com/table-cape-not-only-famous-for-tulips/
Table Cape in Tasmania is an extinct volcano that was pushed up through the earth’s crust around
13 million years ago, once a lava lake, molten basalt filled the crater of a volcano and solidified
forming a large 160 metre flat-topped plateau. Flows from the eruptions of the Table Cape volcano
spread out to form a basalt plain to the west and south. Following these eruptions over millions of
years the basalt has slowly been weathering and eroding away. Today almost all of the volcanic
ash deposits which originally surrounded the volcano have gone. Over the ensuing years, periods
of weathering and high rainfalls have resulted in the formation of the rich, deep red fertile soils for
which much of the North West Coast of Tasmania is famous for.
Sheep farming and Pyrethrum cropping on Table Cape
Today, a rich fertile farming region where crops of vegetables, poppies and pyrethrum are grown,
sheep, cattle and deer are raised and also home to the Roberts-Thomson Tulip Farm, where displays
in Spring of tulips, iris and liliums provide a spectacular display during the Wynyard Tulip Festival
each October.
Spectacular tulip displays in Spring on Table Cape
PART 3
Aim:
To test the pH level of our 4 soil samples
•
•
•
•
Pearson’s Lane Potato Farm Robertson
Gwynneville Woodlands
Mt. Keira Lookout
Saddleback Mountain Jamberoo
What is soil pH?
One of the most important results of any soil analysis is determining the
pH. The pH is very important because most plants need a specific pH
range in order to grow properly.
Soil pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14 with any number below 7
being acidic and any number above 7 being alkaline. Most plants
grow best when the soil pH is between 6 to 7. Neutral pH range is
between 6 and 7.5
Method used:We researched on the internet information about pH soil testing and the
best way to go about testing our soil. We came across Manutec Soil
pH Test Kit which is a simple, accurate, economical and instant result
testing kit. We purchased the kit from Bunnings. The kit comes with the
following:•
•
•
•
•
Indicator solution
White Barium Sulphate Powder
Colour Chart
Mixing Plate
Mixing Rod
We then took our 4 soil samples and one by one placed our soil onto the
test plate. We then added the indicator liquid until the sample could be
stirred into a thick paste. We then dusted the paste with the white
powder. The white powder instantly changed colour and we were able to
get our reading. We then placed the colour chart next to our soil sample
to see the closest colour to that sample. The colour chart has the pH
level written above the colour.
Saddleback Mountain Soil tested
7.5
Robertson Potato Farm Soil tested
6
Gwynneville Woodland Soil tested
5
Mt Keira Lookout Soil tested
4.5
The results showed that 2 of our soil samples were in the neutral
range and the other 2 were in the acidic range. Robertson soil
came out best in the range of 6-7 which most plants grow best in,
followed by Saddleback Mountain Soil still in neutral range at 7.5
but slightly higher than the 6-7 best range and Gwynneville & Mt.
Keira were poorer in the acidic range of 4.5-5.
The best 2 soil testing samples were Saddleback Mountain Soil and
Robertson Soil. If we wanted to get the other 2 soil samples into
neutral range we could add Lime to the soil to increase the soil
quality. If any soil samples were in the alkaline range above 7.5
you would need to add Sulphur to bring the level down into neutral
range.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Saddleback
Robertson
Gwynneville
Mt. Keira
SOIL SAMPLE LOCATIONS
pH Ranges:-
Acidic 1-7
Neutral 6-7.5 (Best)
Alkaline 7-14
HOW TO BUILD A VOLCANO, GARDEN & PROP
-We went to Bunnings and bought some timber to make a box
to house our garden. We screwed the timber together and
added a base. We stained the box a light brown colour and
added a styrofoam base to use less soil for our prop.
-We then made our volcano that consisted of a timber base and
a mesh wire structure with support. We then paper mached our
wire to make our volcano. We allowed this to dry and set hard.
Then we painted the volcano, green, red and brown.
-We added different soils, volcanic and non volcanic to our
timber box.
-We added little vegetables to show how fertile the soil is and a
farmer and a tap.
-We put in signs telling the different soils and volcanic rock.
VOLCANIC GARDENS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
REFERENCE MATERIAL USED
www.soils4teacher.org/volcanic
www.volcano.oregonstate.edu/what-are-some-good-things-volcanoes-do
www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/998189/volcani
www.odc.ca/projects/2007/bake7a2/volcanoeffects.htm
www.image.slidesharecdn.com.whydopeoplerisklivingnearvolcanoes-le
www.kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/0052-volcanoes-and-planet-life
www.think-tasmania.com/table-cape-not-only-famous-for-tulips
www.soilphtesting.com
www.wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/01/what-does-soil-ph-mean/
www.manutec.com.au pH Fact Sheet
Eyewitness Volcano – Written by Susanna Van Rose Published 1992
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thank you to our teachers Ms Sartor and Miss Steep for letting us
participate in the Science Fair. We would like to thank Mr. Phil
Jones for sharing his knowledge about volcanos and taking us on
road trips. If you don’t know who Phil is, he is Josh’s Uncle. We
would also like to thank our family and friends for giving us their
love and support during this project.