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Ask Dr. Universe: Where does dirt come from?

Dr-Universe-230PULLMAN, Wash. – In just a word, the story of soil goes something like this: “CLORPT!” It’s fun to say, and it helps explain how tough rock turns into the soft soil farmers need to grow food and feed the world.

Jim Harsh is a scientist at Washington State University and an expert on soil. He said a soil scientist, Hans Jenny, came up with five actors in the soil story: CLimate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, and Time.

Read all of this Ask Dr. Universe column here.

 

A service of WSU, Ask Dr. Universe answers some of the most interesting, tough and smart questions from curious kids all around the world.

 

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