Describe the methods people may use to increase the productivity of a soil, and the effects on the environment. A large percentage of these come from the soil surrounding it. It helps the soil, but can have adverse effects when the excess lime or fertilizer is washed into the streams and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. This activity will demonstrate that soils will vary in their pH levels. Acids are compounds that contains hydrogen.
Litmus paper can be red or blue.
Blue litmus paper turns red when dipped into an acid. Red litmus paper turns blue when dipped into a base. Red and blue litmus papers do not show actual pH numbers. Universal pH indicator paper has a pH number scale to help determine how acidic or basic a solution is. Collect soil samples from different areas.