The movement of air and water through a soil is influenced most by the soil’s ______

The movement of air and water through soil is most influenced by the soil's porosity and permeability. Porosity refers to the amount of open space or voids in the soil, which allows for the storage of water and air. Permeability, on the other hand, refers to the ability of the soil to transmit water and air.

To determine the porosity and permeability of a soil, you can conduct a simple experiment called a "percolation test." Here's how you can do it:

1. Dig a hole in the soil you want to test. The size of the hole should be around 30 cm deep and wide enough to accommodate a measuring cup.

2. Measure the initial volume of water in a measuring cup and record it.

3. Pour the measured amount of water into the hole and start a timer.

4. Observe the rate at which water percolates or infiltrates into the soil. You can do this by measuring the remaining water level in the measuring cup at regular intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes).

5. Record the time it takes for the water to completely infiltrate into the soil.

6. Calculate the infiltration rate by dividing the volume of water by the time taken.

Porosity can be estimated based on the amount of water that infiltrated into the soil during the given time. Permeability, on the other hand, is evaluated based on the rate at which water infiltrates. Soil with higher porosity and permeability will allow for more rapid movement of air and water, whereas soil with lower porosity and permeability will restrict the movement.