Bulk Density

What is Bulk Density?

Photo Credit: http://soilquality.org/indicators/bulk_density.html

The mass of mineral and organic soil particles divided by its total volume. It is affected by organic matter levels, texture and structure. It is an indicator of how rapidly water is absorbed into the soil and may help identify compaction of soil.

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Regional Educator ResourcesTechnical Resources
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
Bulk Density Soilquality.org – NRCS & others Webpage

Sep 2011

 

Bulk density is an indicator of soil compaction. It is calculated as the dry weight of soil divided by its volume. This volume includes the volume of soil particles and the volume of pores among soil particles. Bulk density is typically expressed in g/cm3.

Soil Physical Properties Fact Sheet North Dakota State University Extension Fact Sheet

Not Dated

 

Soil physical properties affect the behavior of soil and the functional processes required to meet environmental and human needs.

Soil Quality Indicators: Bulk Density USDA NRCS Fact Sheet

Jun 2008

 

Fact Sheet. Bulk density is an indicator of soil compaction. It is calculated as the dry weight of soil divided by its volume. This volume includes the volume of soil particles and the volume of pores among soil particles. Bulk density is typically expressed in g/cm3.

Soil Health 101 Soil Health NEXUS Extension Webpage

Jan 2017

 

The soil structure is made up of the soil profile, bulk density, and aggregates.

Soil Health Assessment: Bulk Density Soil Health NEXUS How-to Video

May 2019

Todd Lorenz with University of Missouri Extension shows you how to sample for bulk density.

Youth Soil Quality Lessons and Videos – Soil Bulk Density University of Nebraska Extension Webpage
Not Dated
 

The quality of soil depends upon a variety of factors. NRCS has developed Soil Quality Kit Guides, fact sheets and materials for teachers to integrate into their soils curriculum. In addition, a curriculum has been developed to use in the classroom. These materials were created with funds provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust. YouTube videos supplement these curricula as well.

How to Understand and Interpret Soil Health Tests Purdue University Extension Publication
Jun 2018
 

Purdue and CCSI did some research using some commercial soil health tests. This document describes some descriptions and guidelines that came out of doing that work.

Bulk Density Sampling Joe Rorick, Purdue University Image
Not Dated
Bulk Density Sampling at the Southeast Purdue Agriculture Center
Bulk Density Sampling at the Southeast Purdue Agriculture Center
Title Source Resource type and date Short Summary
MCSE: Soil Bulk Density Michigan State University, LTER Extension/Research Protocol

Not Dated

Protocol to measure soil bulk density. Bulk density cores consist of intact cores taken in each plot.
Soil Bulk Density – Deep Cores Michigan State University, LTER Extension/Research Protocol

2001

Protocol to measure soil bulk density. Soil bulk density is a measurement of the dry mass of soil per unit soil volume (g/cm,sup>3) and thus includes the combined volume of solids and pores that may contain gases or water, or both. Bulk density can affect many soil processes, such as water passage, heat transfer, aeration and root growth. It is also a necessary factor to convert mass-based units to area-based units.
This page reviewed by Liz Schultheis, Joe Rorick, and Walt Sell.

Last reviewed 10/1/19