Air is present in Soil - Science

AIR IS PRESENT IN SOIL There are animals that live in water and there are animals that live in the soil, under the surface. These animals also require air to live. The following activity demonstrates the presence of air in the soil. Dig out a small lump of soil from your garden. Place this lump of soil in a small vessel. Pour a small amount of water on it. Bubbles are observed coming out of the soil. This is because the water particles displaces the air, present between the soil particles and the air rises and escapes from the surface as bubbles. This air is used by insects such ants, beetles and earthworms to respire. The animals that live under the soil make deep holes and burrows in order to facilitate the free flow of air within the soil. Earthworms are especially popular in this aspect and are known as Farmer's friend since they keep the different layers of soil under continuous rotation thereby keeping the soil fertile. It has been observed that a lot of worms and animals that live inside the soil come out during rainy season. This is because the water from the rain displaces the air in the soil making it hard for the animals to respire. Hence soil is thoroughly ploughed before the cultivation of crops so that there is always a steady flow of nutrients, water and air.