Soil analysis is a process used to evaluate the composition and quality of soil for various purposes such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, construction, and land management. It involves a series of tests and measurements to assess different soil properties including:

1. Texture: Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil. It influences water retention, drainage, and aeration.

2. pH Level: Soil pH indicates its acidity or alkalinity. Different plants have different pH requirements for optimal growth.

3. Nutrient Content: Soil nutrient analysis involves testing for essential elements like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and micronutrients like iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), etc. This helps determine soil fertility and nutrient deficiencies.

4. Organic Matter: Soil organic matter content is crucial for soil health, fertility, and structure. It influences nutrient availability, water retention, and microbial activity.

5. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC): CEC measures the soil's ability to retain and exchange cations (positively charged ions) like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and ammonium, which are important for plant nutrition.

6. Soil Structure: Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles and pore spaces. It affects water infiltration, root penetration, and air movement within the soil.

7. Compaction: Soil compaction analysis determines the density and porosity of the soil, which influences root growth, water infiltration, and soil aeration.

8. Contaminants: Soil analysis may also include testing for contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and organic pollutants, especially in environmental assessments.

Soil analysis provides valuable information for farmers to make informed decisions about fertilizer application, soil amendments, and crop selection. It also helps environmental scientists assess soil quality and potential environmental risks, and assists engineers in designing foundations and structures that are compatible with the soil properties of a site.