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A geotechnical engineer primarily assesses soil and rock properties because these characteristics are critical in determining the suitability of the ground for construction projects. Understanding properties such as shear strength, compressibility, permeability, and consolidation behavior is essential for evaluating how soil and rock will perform under loads and environmental conditions. This assessment informs foundational design, slope stability analyses, excavation strategies, and the overall feasibility of construction projects.

The other aspects mentioned are important in different contexts but do not encompass the primary focus of a geotechnical engineer. While soil color and texture can provide some insight into the type of soil materials present, they do not reveal information about engineering properties. Soil volume and moisture content are relevant, particularly for understanding drainage and compaction, but they are only part of the broader assessment of soil behavior. Soil pH and nutrient levels are more pertinent to agricultural practices and environmental engineering than to the core functions of geotechnical engineering, which are centered around mechanical properties and performance implications of soil and rock under structural loads.