Soil Bulk Density Calculator

Worked bulk density example

Division connects Dry soil mass and Core volume in this Soil Bulk Density calculation. The related Soil Carbon Stock Calculator finds soil carbon stock.

Dry soil mass at 1,250 g, core volume at 950 cm³ produces 1.316 g/cm³ in the demonstration case.

Reading bulk density

Soil Bulk Density summarizes its formula as Bulk density.

Input definitions for bulk density

For bulk density, collect Dry soil mass and Core volume on the Soil Bulk Density basis.

Dry soil mass. Default in Soil Bulk Density: 1,250 g.

Core volume. Default in Soil Bulk Density: 950 cm³.

Soil Bulk Density field limitation

Rock fragments and incomplete cores distort the sample volume.

A zero Core volume leaves bulk density undefined in Soil Bulk Density.

Scope of this bulk density calculation

Calculate soil bulk density from a dry core sample. Soil Bulk Density limits that task to Dry soil mass and Core volume.

Save Bulk density with the Soil Bulk Density units and scenario name.

Saving the Soil Bulk Density case

Save Dry soil mass and Core volume together with Bulk density and the calculation date.

Label the Soil Bulk Density fields as measured, counted, copied, or assumed. The label makes uncertainty in dry soil mass visible.

Add the observed outcome later in the units used for bulk density. Do not overwrite the estimate.

A second Soil Bulk Density scenario

In the Soil Bulk Density example, changing Dry soil mass from 1,250 g to 1,375 g produces 1.447 g/cm³ rather than 1.316 g/cm³. Moisture deficit also belongs in Soil Moisture Deficit Calculator.

Use dry soil mass only to compare bulk density.

Pair dry soil mass with Soil Bulk Density site observations. Gypsum product? See Gypsum Application Amount Calculator.

Before relying on bulk density