What characteristic is most likely to narrow down soil sample matches? Soil color Presence of vegetation or animal material Presence of rare minerals or artificial debris Soil texture

Answer: Most likely to narrow down soil sample matches: Soil color

Explanation:

Investigating soil characteristics like water content, age, and mineral composition, can be very important in the figuring out soil sample matches. Along with soil processes, which include carbonate makeup, chemical changes and changed organic matter; these factors can all be determined by looking at soil's most obvious physical property, color.

For instance, red or yellow soil shows the presence of iron oxides and dark colored soil is likely to contain higher amounts of organic matter (decayed vegetation and animal remains). Thus, soil from closely related sites should show matching characteristics, and color analysis allows for the full analysis of soil sample matches of the same profile.

Presence of rare minerals or artificial debris

Explanation:

In the lesson it clearly states, "Rare minerals and rocks or artificial debris can narrow down possible soil matches." This is also in the science journal.