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Which of the following soils would probably have the lowest permeability?

a) Clay
b) Sand
c) Loam
d) Silt

User Wizard
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A)Clay soil has the lowest permeability due to its composition of very small particles, which create many small spaces where water can reside, and thus water moves through it very slowly.

Step-by-step explanation:

The soil that would probably have the lowest permeability among the options is clay. Permeability refers to the ability of liquids to pass through the soil. Because clay is composed of very small particles, it has many more small spaces where water can reside compared to soils with larger particles like sand. These small and numerous particles in clay soil cause water to move very slowly through it, leading to low permeability. In contrast, sand has larger particles and larger pore spaces, allowing for more rapid water movement. In agricultural terms, loam is considered the best type of soil because it consists of a balance of sand and clay, holding a great amount of water while still allowing for sufficient drainage. Silt, with particle sizes between clay and sand, would have permeability higher than clay but lower than sand and loam.

User Jotacor
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