alleryStart learning →Inorganic mineral matter makes up roughly what share of soil volume?
AAbout 5 percent of it
BAbout 20 percent of it
CAbout 70 percent of it
DAbout 40 to 45 percent
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. About 40 to 45 percent
1. Soil volume splits between mineral matter, organic matter, and water and air.
2. Inorganic mineral matter accounts for about 40 to 45 percent of soil volume.
3. Organic matter accounts for about 5 percent.
4. Water and air together take about 50 percent, which is why the mineral fraction cannot be as high as 70 percent.
5. The exact proportions depend on vegetation, soil compaction and the water present.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 31 "Soil and Plant Nutrition", section 31.2 The Soil_
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