Rocks and Soils

For this lab, I will be choosing a type of rock from the sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous groups that I like and describing the rock.

Sedimentary Rocks: These rocks are formed via the accumulation of sediment over time, typically with erosion as one of the major factors here. Sedimentary rocks can be broken down into three subcategories. These subcategories are clastic (formed by weathering), chemical (from dissolution) and organic (from the accumulation of plant or animal debris). Breccia is an example of a clastic sedimentary rock. The spaces between the largest fragments can be filled with a variety of different mineral materials. These help bind the rock together.

Metamorphic Rocks: These rocks have been formed and modified by heat, pressure, and chemical processes while buried deep below the Earth's surface (generally speaking). The two subcategories of metamorphic rocks are foliated (produced by heat exposure and pressure, with a layered or banded appearance) and non-foliated (no layered or banded appearance). One interesting example of a metamorphic rock is schist, which is foliated. It can contain large amounts of mica, which causes the rock to be split into thin pieces. 

Igneous Rocks: These rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rocks as a result of extreme heat and then cooling. The two basic kinds of igneous rocks are intrusive, which solidify below the Earth's surface and extrusive, which form above the Earth's surface. Obsidian is my favorite kind of igneous rock due to its glossy appearance. It gets this appearance as a result of very rapid cooling to the point where crystals do not form. 

Source for All: www.geology.com 

There are also twelve soil orders in the world. These are: 

Meet Gustav

Personal Photo

Please excuse the shot glasses

For an ongoing class lab, we are each growing our own sunflowers in cups. These sunflowers will ultimately be transplanted into a community garden near campus because they are thought to remove lead from the soil. Since our community garden is located in an urban area, it possibly contains lead as a result of many years of vehicle pollution. 

I think Gustav (my sunflower) was a late bloomer and I thought I was going to have to  get another seed. When I left for a debate trip on February 19th, he still had not sprouted and just looked like an empty cup. I came home to this after the trip! 

I have been watering Gustav faithfully and leaving him where he can get some sunlight during the day. As of today, Gustav measures eighteen inches tall!