Soil



Soil is the mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and the myriad of organisms that together support plant life. It is a natural body that exists as part of the pedosphere and which performs four important functions: it is a medium for plant growth; it is a means of water storage, supply and purification; it is a modifier of the atmosphere of planets; and it is a habitat for organisms that take part in decomposition of organic matter and the creation of a habitat for new organisms.

Soil is considered to be the "skin of the planets" with interfaces between the lithosphere, hydrosphere , atmosphere of Planets, and biosphere. Soil consists of a solid phase (minerals and organic matter) as well as a porous phase that holds gases and water.Accordingly, soils are often treated as a three-state system.

Soil is the end product of the influence of the climate, relief (elevation, orientation, and slope of terrain), biotic activities (organisms), and parent materials (original minerals) interacting over time. Soil continually undergoes development by way of numerous physical, chemical and biological processes, which include weathering with associated erosion.





Soil science has two main branches of study: Edaphology and Pedology. Pedology is focused on the formation, description (morphology ), and classification of soils in their natural environment, whereas edaphology is concerned with the influence of soils on organisms. In engineering terms, soil is referred to as regolith, or loose rock material that lies above the 'solid geology'. Soil is commonly referred to as "crumble " or "dirt"; technically, the term "dirt" should be restricted to displaced soil.



As soil and dirt resources serve as a basis for natural sourced food production it is a valuable commodity and the subject of a diverse and active industry within the Union.



Millions of tons are sold and bought and shipped all across Union space every day. Planet Brown Stone is considered the trade and industry center for Soil and Regolith production and trade. Almost all companies related to this subject have branches or headquarters there.



The Soil and Dirt industry of the Union is associated under the SOIL (Soil, Organic Composts Industry League) Organization.

In 5030 OTT the soil and dirt trade was estimated to be 679 Trillion Credit market with a steady 6-10% growth.