Which soil particles are classified as causing the most erosion/turbidity problems?

The option identifying clay and muck as the soil particles causing the most erosion and turbidity problems is accurate due to the properties of these materials. Clay particles are very small and have a high surface area relative to their volume, which makes them more prone to suspension in water. When disturbed, clay can easily become entrained in runoff, leading to increased turbidity in water bodies. Muck often refers to decomposed organic material mixed with fine soil, which can also contribute to turbidity due to its organic content and fine particles.

In contrast, larger soil particles such as sand and granules do not remain suspended as easily in water, leading to less turbidity. Silt, while it is fine enough to cause some erosion issues, does not compare to the significant effects that clay has, mainly because it is more stable and settles more readily than the finest clay particles when disturbed. Loam and chalk also comprise a mixture of particle sizes that stabilize the soil structure and do not typically contribute to high turbidity levels like clay can. Therefore, understanding the behavior of these soil types and their impact on erosion and water turbidity is crucial in stormwater management and erosion control practices.