Soil Percolation Lab
Objective: Students will examine the percolation (infiltration) rate of surface soil at various locations.
Percolation will be related to soil particle size and recharge and runoff rates.
Materials: (This lab can be completed using common items typically found around the home.)
Metal ring (aluminum coffee can or soup can with bottom cut out, or something similar)
1 liter container (beaker/graduated cylinder or measuring cup from your kitchen)
Water (gallon jugs for convenience empty soda or milk will work)
Hammer/rubber mallet
Data sheet
Tape measure/ruler
Stopwatch (phone)
Procedure:
1. Students will select a soil site near their home or other chosen location.
2. Within the site, if working in a group, assign tasks to individuals within the group (i.e.,
percolation can placer, water pourer, timer, measurement recorder).
3. Clear loose leaf-litter to expose soil surface, but try not to disturb the soil surface itself!
4. Insert one end of the coffee can approximately 5 cm into the soil. Gently tap with hammer if
necessary.
5. Pour 500 ml (convert to ounces if necessary simply Google 500 ml to ounces conversion) of
water into the can and begin stopwatch. Stop the stopwatch when the standing water is no
longer visible and only the soil surface is visible record the time. This is the Dry Percolation
Measurement.
6. Repeat the measurement a second time now that the ground is saturated. This is the Wet
(saturated) Percolation Measurement.
7. While waiting for the water to drain, examine and describe the leaf litter in the area.
8. Take a minimum of three measurements in your area (one dry and two wet percolations), all in
that same spot so do not move the can in between measurements!
9. After each measurement, collect a small amount of soil in hand from an area within one can
length from your measurement (an area not affected by water from the actual activity) and
record dampness/moisture (Wet = if water squeezed out; Damp = if soil holds its shape; Dry =
is sample will not hold its shape when squeezed).
10. After conducting the percolation test, collect a small handful of soil and rub it between the
fingers and record texture/content (Gritty = sand; Slippery = silt; Sticky = clay; or some
combination of sandy-silt-clay).
11. Note other observations such as smell, roots, insects, shells, or trash found in the soil in your
area.
