Bulk density is a measure of the weight of the soil per unit volume gcc, usually given on an ovendry 110° C basis figure 1. Variation in bulk density is attributable to the relative proportion and specific gravity of solid organic and inorganic particles and to the porosity of the soil. Most mineral soils have bulk densities between 1.0 and 2.0. Although bulk densities are seldom measured, they are important in quantitative soil studies, and measurement should be encouraged. Such data are necessary, for example, in calculating soil moisture movement within a profile and rates of clay formation and carbonate accumulation. Even when two soils are compared qualitatively on the basis of their development for purposes of stratigraphic correlation, more accurate comparisons can be made on the basis of total weight of clay formed from 100 g of parent material than on percent of clay alone. To convert percent to weight per unit volume, multiply by bulk density Birkeland, 1984.

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