Clay soil has been serving the lives of people since it ever came to notice. Since the past a lot of years of history it has been used for a lot of uses. But are all the uses of clay known to you in detail? No, I assure you. Hence to enlighten you about the uses of clay and about how clay serves those uses we have written this piece of reading for you.
- Features of clay that make it suitable for several uses.
- Clay is high in terms of nutrients and minerals that are required for the growth of plants.
- It is moist and compact in nature which enables it to be used for pottery and ceramics.
- Further research on clay soil has shown, that it contains elements that can help to serve in the industry of medical and medicine.
Uses of Clay Soil
Followings are the major uses of clay soil.
Farming
The particle of clay soil is compact in nature hence it tends to not old enough air which is the basic requirement of many plants. Hence, not all plants can be grown using clay soil. However, some plants can be grown using clay soil such as apples, elm, ash, willow, tamarack, and many other plants. These plants can grow themselves in clay soil because of the moisture that it contains.
To add more, clay soil can be used for other varieties of plants by adding different gypsum and compost. These plants can then benefit from the nutrient and moisture content of clay.
Construction
Since ancient times, clay soil has been used for construction because of its extraordinary properties. Clay can be made into adobe bricks by drying it in the sun or by burning it in a fire. The bricks are then assembled together along with mortar which is another component made up of clay to build a house. The building material cob is also made up of clay by mixing with some sand and straw to form benches, ovens, and buildings. Buildings made up of Adobe and cob are cheap, strong, extremely durable, sustainable, and have the capability for lasting for hundreds of years.
Ceramics
Clay has the ability to be molded into different sort of shapes and structures when water is mixed with it. After adding water to clay soil malleable material is formed. This is why clay soil is used for ceramics by ceramicists. Clay can be used to make pots, pipes, and other useful objects that can be used for household purposes. Clay is used for manufacturing ceramic tiles as well that can be used for counters, floors, and walls.
Pottery
Using clay for pottery has been a source of income since ancient times. Under an environment where it is not dry and has moisture in the air as well, it is dark, clay is mixed with water and then a thick mass is created. The thick mass is then molded into pots and other different shapes that are a part of pottery. The molded structures are then inserted inside an oven where it is fired to suck out all the moisture from the structure so that it turns hard. Pottery using clay is a lengthy process and takes several hours to complete, as the clay must be heated slowly so that the moisture does not get removed very quickly. Evaporating moisture quickly will result in cracks to be caused in the structures.
Medicinal
For folk medicinal fields the minerals of clay soil have been used. It has been discovered that the mineral contents of clay soil help to provide relief for an upset stomach and wound infection. A study has even shown that clay soil has minerals with antimicrobial properties that are effective in killing pathogenic bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant. Studies have also shown that the minerals of clay can be used for the production of inexpensive medicines for curing infections in humans.
Creating Sculptures
Clay soil is ideal for creating sculptures because it is easy to mold and shape. It is also strong enough to support the weight of the sculpture. Clay soil is also relatively inexpensive, making it a great material for artists on a budget.
One of the most famous examples of a sculpture made from clay soil is the Venus of Willendorf. This ancient sculpture is thought to date back to around 25,000 BCE and was discovered in Austria. The Venus of Willendorf is a small, nude female figure with large breasts and exaggerated thighs and buttocks.
Clay soil is also commonly used in the creation of garden sculptures. These sculptures can be anything from small figurines to larger statues. Garden sculptures made from clay soil are often left unglazed, allowing them to weather and age naturally over time.
Landscaping
Clay soil is a type of soil that is made up of very small particles. It is very dense and does not allow water or air to pass through it easily. This makes it ideal for use in landscaping. Clay soil can be used to create a variety of different landscape features, including beds, borders, and pathways. It is also often used as a base for pavers and other hardscape features. Clay soil is very easy to work with and can be molded into any shape that you desire.
To sum up, after reading this piece of reading you surely have been enlightened by all the uses and purposes that can be served by clay soil. Also, it has been detailed what are the features of clay soil that enable it to fulfill all these uses in a proper manner.