Best examples of soil composition lab report examples for geology labs

Quick tour of real examples of soil composition lab report examples

Instead of starting with theory, let’s look at how students actually write soil composition reports. Below are several examples of soil composition lab report examples that cover different course levels and goals.

You’ll see:

• A basic high-school garden soil report
• An AP Environmental Science urban vs. suburban comparison
• An introductory geology soil profile report
• A hydrology-focused infiltration and texture report
• A contamination-focused heavy metals report
• A 2024 climate-resilience soil project
• A precision agriculture soil fertility report

Each example of a soil composition lab report uses the same backbone: clear question, methods, organized data tables, graphs, and a discussion that connects soil properties to real-world implications.

Example of a basic garden soil composition lab report

This is the kind of report you’d see in a high-school Earth science or intro environmental science class.

Research question
How does soil composition in the school garden compare with commercial potting soil in terms of texture, pH, and organic matter, and what does that mean for vegetable growth?

Methods in plain language
Students collected soil from:

• School garden bed (top 6 inches)
• Bagged potting soil

They used:

• A simple jar sedimentation test for texture (sand, silt, clay percentages)
• pH test strips or a handheld pH meter
• Loss-on-ignition for organic matter (weigh, burn at ~360–400 °F in a muffle furnace, reweigh)

How the data section looked
Instead of a wall of text, the report used a compact table:

• Garden soil: 55% sand, 30% silt, 15% clay; pH 7.4; organic matter 3.2%
• Potting soil: 30% sand, 40% silt, 30% clay; pH 6.5; organic matter 12.5%

The student added a short paragraph interpreting the table:

The garden soil is coarser and slightly alkaline, with much lower organic matter than the potting soil. The potting soil’s higher clay and organic content suggest greater water-holding capacity but potentially slower drainage.

What made this one of the best examples for beginners
The discussion connected numbers to plant growth: slightly alkaline pH may limit availability of some micronutrients; low organic matter may reduce water retention and nutrient supply. The conclusion recommended adding compost to the garden bed and monitoring pH over time.

This style is a good starter template if you’re looking for examples of soil composition lab report examples that keep the science simple but still analytical.

Urban vs. suburban: examples of soil composition lab report examples for AP classes

At the AP Environmental Science or IB level, teachers often assign a comparison project. One strong example of a soil composition lab report compared:

• A city park near a busy roadway
• A suburban backyard lawn

Variables measured
The report included:

• Texture by hydrometer method
• Bulk density using core samples
• Soil pH
• Organic matter by loss-on-ignition
• Visible anthropogenic materials (plastic, glass, brick fragments)

Key findings
Urban park soil:

• 65% sand, 25% silt, 10% clay
• Bulk density: 1.7 g/cm³ (compacted)
• pH 7.8
• Organic matter 1.1%
• Noticeable plastic and brick fragments

Suburban lawn soil:

• 45% sand, 35% silt, 20% clay
• Bulk density: 1.3 g/cm³
• pH 6.7
• Organic matter 4.6%

Why this report worked
Instead of just listing numbers, the student framed the data around ecosystem services. High bulk density and low organic matter in the urban soil were linked to:

• Reduced infiltration and higher runoff
• Lower carbon storage
• Higher erosion risk

They supported their interpretation with a citation to USDA soil quality guidance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. That kind of reference immediately elevates your work and is common in the best examples of soil composition lab report examples at the AP level.

Soil profile and horizons: geology-focused example of a lab report

Introductory geology labs often emphasize soil horizons and formation processes. A strong example of soil composition lab report examples from a 200-level geology course focused on a hillside soil profile.

Field description
The student described horizons in the field:

• O: 1 inch, dark, loose organic litter
• A: 4 inches, dark brown, granular, many roots
• B: 10 inches, reddish-brown, blocky, clay accumulation
• C: Weathered parent material, coarse fragments

Laboratory analyses
Samples from A and B horizons were analyzed for:

• Particle size distribution
• Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
• pH and electrical conductivity

Data interpretation
The report showed that:

• A horizon: loam texture, higher organic matter and CEC
• B horizon: clay loam texture, higher clay and CEC, slightly more acidic

The discussion connected these results to soil-forming processes (illuviation of clay into the B horizon) and local climate. The student referenced a state soil survey from the USDA Web Soil Survey to compare their measured properties with mapped soil series.

This is a good example of how to integrate field descriptions, lab data, and published soil information in one coherent report.

Hydrology angle: infiltration and texture in a soil composition report

Another category of examples of soil composition lab report examples focuses on water movement. In a hydrology or environmental geology class, a lab might pair soil composition with infiltration tests.

Study design
Students collected soil from:

• A forested plot
• A compacted campus walkway edge

They measured:

• Texture (hydrometer)
• Bulk density
• Infiltration rate using a simple ring infiltrometer

Representative results
Forested soil:

• Sandy loam, bulk density 1.2 g/cm³
• Infiltration rate: 4 inches/hour

Compacted walkway soil:

• Sandy clay loam, bulk density 1.8 g/cm³
• Infiltration rate: 0.3 inches/hour

Why this is one of the best examples for connecting soil composition to process
The discussion didn’t just say “forest infiltrates more.” It explained how increased clay content and higher bulk density reduce pore space and slow infiltration. It also linked the findings to flood risk and stormwater management, citing EPA stormwater guidance from EPA.gov.

If your instructor wants you to tie soil composition to hydrologic function, this style of report is a great template.

Contamination-focused example of a soil composition lab report

In upper-level environmental science or geology, examples include lab reports that combine standard soil composition data with contaminant analysis. One standout example of a soil composition lab report examined heavy metals near a former industrial site.

Sampling strategy

• Four locations along a transect away from the site boundary
• Two depths at each location: 0–10 cm and 10–30 cm

Measured parameters

• Texture, pH, organic matter
• Total lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) using atomic absorption spectroscopy

Key data patterns

• Finer-textured, higher-organic surface soils closer to the site showed elevated Pb (up to 600 mg/kg) and Cd (up to 12 mg/kg)
• Concentrations decreased with distance and depth

The report compared measured metal concentrations with residential soil screening levels from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and state environmental agencies.

What made this a strong example
The student used soil composition to explain contaminant behavior: higher clay and organic matter near the site increased metal adsorption, trapping contaminants in the upper horizon. The conclusion discussed health implications and remediation options (phytoremediation, soil removal, clean cover soils), supported by references to ATSDR and state guidance.

This contamination case study is often cited by instructors as one of the best examples of soil composition lab report examples because it shows how basic soil data become the backbone of an environmental risk assessment.

2024–2025 trend: climate resilience and soil composition reports

Over the last few years, more geology and environmental programs have shifted labs toward climate resilience and land management. That shift shows up clearly in newer examples of soil composition lab report examples from 2024–2025.

One recent project in a university environmental geology class asked:

How does soil composition affect drought resilience in restored prairie vs. conventional cornfield plots?

Study design
Students sampled:

• Restored prairie soil (10+ years since restoration)
• Adjacent cornfield soil under conventional tillage

They measured:

• Texture and bulk density
• Organic matter
• Field capacity and wilting point (water retention characteristics)

Representative findings
Prairie soil:

• Higher organic matter (6–7%)
• Lower bulk density
• Greater water retention at field capacity

Cornfield soil:

• Organic matter around 2–3%
• Higher bulk density
• Lower water retention

How this report handled discussion
The student linked higher organic matter and improved structure in prairie soils to better water-holding capacity and drought resilience. They supported their interpretation with research from the USDA Climate Hubs on soil health and climate adaptation.

If you’re writing in 2024–2025, instructors are likely to appreciate examples of soil composition lab reports that connect your data to climate-related themes like drought, carbon storage, or flood mitigation.

Precision agriculture and fertility: applied examples include nutrient-focused reports

Another modern twist: precision agriculture. Some of the most practical examples of soil composition lab report examples come from agronomy or soil science courses that use real farm data.

Typical setup
Students collect georeferenced soil samples from different management zones in a field (hilltops, midslopes, depressions). Each sample is analyzed for:

• Texture
• Organic matter
• pH
• Macronutrients (N, P, K)

How the report is structured
Instead of just describing the field, the report links soil composition to variable-rate fertilizer recommendations. For instance:

• Sandy, low-organic hilltops: higher risk of nutrient leaching, require careful N management
• Finer-textured depressions: higher waterlogging risk, potential for P buildup

The best examples include maps (even simple ones) and a discussion of economic and environmental tradeoffs. Students often cite land-grant university extension bulletins, such as those from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach or similar .edu sources.

These reports show how soil composition data feed directly into management decisions—fertilizer rates, crop choice, and conservation practices.

How to structure your own report based on these real examples

After reading several examples of soil composition lab report examples, patterns start to emerge. Strong reports usually share these features:

Clear, narrow objective
Instead of “analyzing soil,” they ask focused questions:

• How does soil composition differ between two land uses?
• How does composition influence infiltration or contamination?
• How does composition relate to climate resilience or yield?

Methods that match the question
If you’re comparing land uses, you need a consistent sampling depth and method. If you’re worried about contaminants, you need distances from source and depth profiles. If you’re studying hydrology, bulk density and infiltration tests matter more.

Organized, readable data
The best examples use:

• Tables for texture, pH, organic matter, and other core properties
• Short paragraphs that interpret each table
• Graphs only when they actually help (e.g., distance vs. metal concentration, depth vs. moisture)

Discussion that connects soil composition to processes
Data alone aren’t enough. Your discussion should connect:

• Texture and structure → water movement, erosion
• Organic matter → fertility, water retention, carbon storage
• pH → nutrient availability, contaminant mobility

When you read examples include those urban vs. rural comparisons or contamination case studies, notice how the best ones always circle back to “so what?”

Use of authoritative references
Top-tier examples of soil composition lab report examples almost always reference:

• USDA NRCS or Web Soil Survey for background on soil series and properties
• EPA or ATSDR for contamination thresholds
• University extension or peer-reviewed studies for management implications

Even one or two well-chosen citations can make a big difference in how your report reads.

FAQ: examples of soil composition lab report examples

Q: Where can I find reliable examples of soil composition lab report examples online?
You can often find sample lab reports on university course pages (look for .edu domains) in geology, soil science, or environmental science departments. Some instructors post anonymized student examples that show full data tables, figures, and discussions. You can also check USDA NRCS educational materials for sample soil data sets that you can practice turning into reports.

Q: What is a good example of a hypothesis for a soil composition lab?
A strong example of a hypothesis is: “Urban park soils near high-traffic roads will have higher bulk density, lower organic matter, and higher pH than suburban lawn soils, due to compaction and lower organic inputs.” It’s specific, testable, and clearly tied to measurable soil properties.

Q: Do I always need to measure contaminants in a soil composition report?
No. Many examples of soil composition lab report examples focus only on texture, structure, organic matter, and pH. Contaminant analysis comes in when the research question involves pollution, public health, or industrial history. If your course is more geology-focused, you may be expected to emphasize horizons, parent material, and formation processes instead.

Q: How many samples should I include in my soil composition lab report?
That depends on your study design and lab time, but most student examples include at least two contrasting sites or horizons and three or more replicate samples per site. The key is to explain why you chose that number and how it affects the reliability of your conclusions.

Q: What makes the best examples of soil composition lab report examples stand out to instructors?
Instructors tend to highlight reports that have a clear question, accurate methods, clean data presentation, and a discussion that goes beyond restating numbers. The best examples connect soil composition to real-world issues like flooding, contamination, agriculture, or climate resilience, and they support interpretations with at least a couple of authoritative references.

If you treat the examples above as models—not scripts to copy—you’ll end up with a soil composition lab report that feels grounded, current, and genuinely scientific, rather than just a box-ticking assignment.