Question

Name the agents responsible for transportation of soil.

Answer 1

Hint:-Soil can be defined as a mixture of minerals, organic matter, liquids, organisms, and gases. The mixture of different substances present in the soil supports life on earth. Our earth is also covered with a layer of soil.

Complete Answer:-
The soil is produced due to the influence of various factors such as climate, organisms, parent material, etc. Soil can be transported from one place to another due to weathering. There are various methods or agents, through which soil is being transported, such as water, wind, gravity, and glaciers.
- Water transported soil – Transportation of soil through water is one of the most common methods of transportation. The more the velocity of flow of water, the more is the quantity of soil transported. The transportation of soil by water occurs either by suspension or rolling of the soil along the bed. The soil which is carried by river water is called alluvial deposits, whereas the soil which is deposited in lakes is called lacustrine deposits.
- Wind transported soil – Soil particles can also be transported through the wind. The size of the particles transported through wind depends upon the velocity of the wind. When the velocity is high a large amount of soil can be transported. The soil which is carried by the wind is known as Aeolian deposits.
- Gravity deposited soil – Soil can also be transported to short distances by the action of gravity, such as at the foot of steep slopes from an elevated place due to gravity. The soil which is carried by the action of gravity is known as colluvial soil.
- Glacier deposited soils – A glacier is a huge ice block. Soil can be carried with the movement of glaciers. The term ‘drift’ is used for the deposits of the soil formed by the action of glaciers.

Note:- Apart from the above-mentioned agents, soil can also be transported by the combination of two or more agents. For example, soil fallen down from an elevated place under the influence of gravity can also be carried out further by wind.