Question

The physical process of soil degradation:

• A. Fertility imbalance
• B. Organic matter decline
• C. Erosion and depletion
• D. Acidification

Hint:

Sort each option into physical, chemical or biological degradation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Soil degradation is usually grouped into physical, chemical and biological types, based on what part of the soil is actually being damaged.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Physical degradation means the soil's mass and structure are being lost or rearranged (compaction, crusting, loss of soil material), chemical degradation covers changes in soil chemistry (pH, salts, nutrient balance), and biological degradation covers loss of organic matter and living organisms in soil.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Fertility imbalance is about nutrient supply going out of balance, which is a chemical form of degradation, not physical.
Organic matter decline is the loss of soil organic carbon and the living component of soil, which falls under biological degradation.
Acidification is a drop in soil pH, again a chemical change, not a physical one.
Erosion and depletion involve the physical removal of topsoil by water or wind and the resulting loss of soil mass and structure, which is exactly what physical degradation describes.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Erosion and depletion is the physical process of soil degradation, so option 3 is correct.