Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Soil science deals with soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils per se; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils. Soil, often typeset as SOiL, is a four piece rock band from Chicago Illinois United States founded by Shaun Glass Tom Schofield Tim King and Adam Zadel Natural resources are naturally occurring substances that are considered valuable in their relatively unmodified ( natural) form EARTH was a short-lived Japanese vocal trio which released 6 singles and 1 album between 2000 and 2001 Pedogenesis or soil evolution (formation is the process by which Soil is created Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of Soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use

Sometimes terms which refer to branches of soil science, such as pedology (formation, chemistry, morphology and classification of soil) and edaphology (influence of soil on organisms, especially plants), are used as if synonymous with soil science. Pedology (from Greek πέδον pedon, "soil" and λόγος logos, "study" is the study of soils in their natural environment Edaphology (from Greek grc ἔδαφος edaphos, "ground" and grc -λογία -logia) is one of two main divisions of Soil The diversity of names associated with this discipline is related to the various associations concerned. Indeed, engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, geographers, biologists, microbiologists, sylviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning, all contribute to further knowledge of soils and the advancement of the soil sciences. Engineering is the Discipline and Profession of applying technical and scientific Knowledge and Agronomy is the science and technology of using plants for food fuel feed and fiber Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties Geology (from Greek γη gê, "earth" and λόγος Logos, "speech" lit Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena A biologist is a Scientist devoted to and producing results in Biology through the study of Organisms Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship Microbiology (from Greek grc μῑκρος mīkros, "small" grc βίος bios, " Life " and grc -λογία Forestry is the Art and Science of managing forests tree Plantations and related Natural resources. Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society organisations Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos Regional planning is a branch of Land use planning and deals with the efficient placement of land use activities infrastructure and settlement growth across a significantly

Contents

Fields of study

Soil occupies the pedosphere, one of Earth's spheres that the geosciences use to organize the Earth conceptually. For the sciences that study the Earth's spheres see Earth science#Earth's spheres The Earth's spheres relates to the division of the Earth Earth science (also known as geoscience, the geosciences or the Earth Sciences) is an all-embracing term for the Sciences related to the planet This is the conceptual perspective of pedology and edaphology, the two main branches of soil science. Pedology (from Greek πέδον pedon, "soil" and λόγος logos, "study" is the study of soils in their natural environment Edaphology (from Greek grc ἔδαφος edaphos, "ground" and grc -λογία -logia) is one of two main divisions of Soil Pedology is the study of soil in its natural setting. Edaphology is the study of soil in relation to soil-dependent uses. Both branches apply a combination of soil physics, soil chemistry, and soil biology. Soil physics is the study of soil physical properties and processes Soil chemistry studies the chemical characteristics of soil Soil chemistry is affected by mineral composition organic matter and environmental factors Soil biology is the study of microbial and faunal activity and Ecology in Soil. Due to the numerous interactions between the biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere that are hosted within the pedosphere, more integrated, less soil-centric concepts are also valuable. The biosphere is the broadest level of ecological study the global sum of all Ecosystems. An atmosphere (from Greek ατμός - atmos, " Vapor " + σφαίρα - sphaira, " Sphere " A hydrosphere (from Greek ύδωρ - hydor, " Water " + σφαίρα - sphaira, " Sphere " Many concepts essential to understanding soil come from individuals not identifiable strictly as soil scientists. This highlights the interdisciplinary nature of soil concepts. In Academia, Pedagogy, Physical sciences, Earth sciences, Human sciences and Social sciences

Research

Dependence on and curiosity about soil, exploring the diversity and dynamic of this resource continues to yield fresh discoveries and insights. New avenues of soil research are compelled by a need to understand soil in the context of climate change,[1] greenhouse gases,[2][3] and carbon sequestration. Climate change is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences Greenhouse gases are gaseous constituents of the atmosphere bothnatural and anthropogenic that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of thermal infrared [4] Interest in maintaining the planet's biodiversity and in exploring past cultures has also stimulated renewed interest in achieving a more refined understanding of soil. Terra preta (“dark soil” in Portuguese) refers to expanses of very dark fertile Anthropogenic Soils found in the Amazon Basin.

Mapping

Sample of an aerial photo from a published soil survey
Sample of an aerial photo from a published soil survey
Main article: Soil survey

Most knowledge of soil in nature comes from soil survey efforts. Aerial photography is the taking of Photographs of the ground from an elevated position Soil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of classifying Soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information Soil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of classifying Soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information Soil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of determining the soil types or other properties of the soil cover over a landscape, and mapping them for others to understand and use. In terms of Soil texture, soil type usually refers to the different sizes of Mineral particles in a particular sample It relies heavily on distinguishing the individual influences of the five classic soil forming factors. This effort draws upon geomorphology, physical geography, and analysis of vegetation and land-use patterns. Geomorphology (from Greek: γη ge, "earth" μορφή morfé, "form" and λόγος Logos, "knowledge" Physical geography (also known as geosystems or physiography) is one of the three major subfields of Geography. Primary data for the soil survey are acquired by field sampling and supported by remote sensing. Remote sensing is the small or large-scale acquisition of information of an object or phenomenon by the use of either recording or real-time sensing device(s that is not in physical

Classification

Main article: soil classification
Map of global soil regions from the USDA
Map of global soil regions from the USDA

As of 2006, the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, via its Land & Water Development division, is the pre-eminent soil classification system. Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of Soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use The World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB is the international standard taxonomic Soil classification system endorsed by the International Union of Soil Sciences It replaces the previous FAO soil classification. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO developed a supra-national classification also called World Soil Classification, which offers useful generalizations

The WRB borrows from modern soil classification concepts, including USDA soil taxonomy. USDA Soil Taxonomy developed by United States Department of Agriculture and the National Cooperative Soil Survey provides an elaborate classification of The classification is based mainly on soil morphology as an expression pedogenesis. Soil morphology is the field observable attributes of the soil within the various Soil horizons and the description of the kind and arrangement of the horizons Pedogenesis or soil evolution (formation is the process by which Soil is created A major difference with USDA soil taxonomy is that soil climate is not part of the system, except insofar as climate influences soil profile characteristics. USDA Soil Taxonomy developed by United States Department of Agriculture and the National Cooperative Soil Survey provides an elaborate classification of

Many other classification schemes exist, including vernacular systems. The structure in vernacular systems are either nominal, giving unique names to soils or landscapes, or descriptive, naming soils by their characteristics such as red, hot, fat, or sandy. Soils are distinguished by obvious characteristics, such as physical appearance (e. g. , color, texture, landscape position), performance (e. g. , production capability, flooding), and accompanying vegetation. [5] A vernacular distinction familiar to many is classifying texture as heavy or light. Soil texture is a Soil property used to describe the relative proportion of different grain sizes of Mineral particles in a soil Light soil content and better structure, take less effort to turn and cultivate. Contrary to popular belief light soils do not weigh less than heavy soils on an air dry basis nor do they have more porosity. Porosity is a measure of the void spaces in a material and is measured as a fraction between 0–1 or as a Percentage between 0–100%

History

Vasily Dokuchaev, a Russian geologist, geographer and early soil scientist, is credited with identifying soil as a resource whose distinctness and complexity deserved to be separated conceptually from geology and crop production and treated as a whole. Vasily Vasili'evich Dokuchaev (Василий Васильевич Докучаев (1846 &ndash 1903 was a Russian Geographer who is credited with laying the foundations

Previously, soil had been considered a product of chemical transformations of rocks, a dead substrate from which plants derive nutritious elements. Soil and bedrock were in fact equated. Dokuchaev considers the soil as a natural body having its own genesis and its own history of development, a body with complex and multiform processes taking place within it. The soil is considered as different from bedrock. The latter becomes soil under the influence of a series of soil-formation factors (climate, vegetation, country, relief and age). According to him, soil should be called the "daily" or outward horizons of rocks regardless of the type; they are changed naturally by the common effect of water, air and various kinds of living and dead organisms. [6]

A 1914 encyclopedic definition: "the different forms of earth on the surface of the rocks, formed by the breaking down or weathering of rocks". [7] serves to illustrate the historic view of soil which persisted from the 19th century. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Dokuchaev's late 19th century soil concept developed in the 20th century to one of soil as earthy material that has been altered by living processes. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on [8] A corollary concept is that soil without a living component is simply a part of earth's outer layer.

Further refinement of the soil concept is occurring in view of an appreciation of energy transport and transformation within soil. The term is popularly applied to the material on the surface of the earth's moon and Mars, a usage acceptable within a portion of the scientific community. Lunar soil is the fine Regolith found on the surface of the Moon. Accurate to this modern understanding of soil is Nikiforoff's 1959 definition of soil as the "excited skin of the sub aerial part of the earth's crust". [9]

Areas of practice

Academically, soil scientists tend to be drawn to one of five areas of specialization: microbiology, pedology, edaphology, physics or chemistry. Soil physics is the study of soil physical properties and processes Soil chemistry studies the chemical characteristics of soil Soil chemistry is affected by mineral composition organic matter and environmental factors Yet the work specifics are very much dictated by the challenges facing our civilization's desire to sustain the land that supports it, and the distinctions between the sub-disciplines of soil science often blur in the process. Soil science professionals commonly stay current in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil microbiology, pedology, and applied soil science in related disciplines

One interesting effort drawing in soil scientists in the USA as of 2004 is the Soil Quality Initiative. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Central to the Soil Quality Initiative is developing indices of soil health and then monitoring them in a way that gives us long term (decade-to-decade) feedback on our performance as stewards of the planet. The effort includes understanding the functions of soil microbiotic crusts and exploring the potential to sequester atmospheric carbon in soil organic matter. The concept of soil quality, however, has not been without its share of controversy and criticism, including critiques by Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug and World Food Prize Winner Pedro Sanchez. Norman Ernest Borlaug (born March 25 1914 is an American Agronomist, Humanitarian, Nobel laureate, and has been called the father of the

A more traditional role for soil scientists has been to map soils. Most every area in the United States now has a published soil survey, which includes interpretive tables as to how soil properties support or limit activities and uses. An internationally accepted soil taxonomy allows uniform communication of soil characteristics and functions. National and international soil survey efforts have given the profession unique insights into landscape scale functions. The landscape functions that soil scientists are called upon to address in the field seem to fall roughly into six areas:

There are also practical applications of soil science that might not be apparent from looking at a published soil survey. Description A septic tank generally consists of tanks between the size of 1000 and 2000 gallons (4000 - 7500 litres which is connected to an inlet wastewater pipe at one end and Manure is Organic matter used as Organic fertilizer in Agriculture. Biosolids is a term used by the Water treatment industry that refers to treated Sludge. A wetland is an area of Land consisting of Soil that is Saturated with Moisture, such as a Swamp, Marsh, or Bog To conserve habitat life for wild species and prevent their Extinction or reduction in range is a priority of a great many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity of a place at the level of Ecosystems See Biodiversity. Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment growth composition health and quality of Forests to meet diverse needs and values of the many landowners Agronomy is the science and technology of using plants for food fuel feed and fiber Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops Grazing generally describes a type of Predation in which an Herbivore feeds on Plants (such as Grasses, or more broadly on a multicellular Stormwater is a term used to describe water that originates during precipitation events Sediment is any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of Erosion is the carrying away or displacement of solids ( Sediment, Soil, rock and other particles usually by the agents of currents such as wind Topsoil is the upper outermost layer of soil usually the top 2 to 8 inches

Fields of application in soil science

Related disciplines

See also

References

  1. ^ Pielke, Roger(December 12, 2005) Is Soil an Important Component of the Climate System? The Climate Science Weblog. Environmental soil science is the study of the interaction of humans with the Pedosphere as well as critical aspects of the Biosphere, the Lithosphere, Pedology (from Greek πέδον pedon, "soil" and λόγος logos, "study" is the study of soils in their natural environment Pedogenesis or soil evolution (formation is the process by which Soil is created Pedometrics is the application of mathematical and statistical methods for the study of the distribution and genesis of soils. Soil morphology is the field observable attributes of the soil within the various Soil horizons and the description of the kind and arrangement of the horizons Soil classification deals with the systematic categorization of Soils based on distinguishing characteristics as well as criteria that dictate choices in use USDA Soil Taxonomy developed by United States Department of Agriculture and the National Cooperative Soil Survey provides an elaborate classification of Soil life or soil biota is a collective term for all the organisms living within the soil Soil chemistry studies the chemical characteristics of soil Soil chemistry is affected by mineral composition organic matter and environmental factors Soil physics is the study of soil physical properties and processes Pedotransfer function ( PTF) is a term used in Soil science literature which can be defined as predictive functions of certain soil properties from other more available Soil mechanics is a discipline that applies principles of Engineering mechanics, e Hydropedology is an emerging field formed from the intertwining branches of Soil science and Hydrology. Soil survey, or soil mapping, is the process of classifying Soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of all plants animals and micro-organisms( Biotic factors in an area functioning together with all of the non-living physical ( Climate change is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences A drainage basin is an extent of Land where Water from Rain or Snow melt drains downhill into a body of water such as a River, A wetland is an area of Land consisting of Soil that is Saturated with Moisture, such as a Swamp, Marsh, or Bog Pedotransfer function ( PTF) is a term used in Soil science literature which can be defined as predictive functions of certain soil properties from other more available Agricultural science is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the parts of exact natural economic and Social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops Anthropology (/ˌænθɹəˈpɒlədʒi/ from Greek grc ἄνθρωπος anthrōpos, "human" -λογία -logia) is the study of In Archaeology, especially in the course of Excavation, stratification is a paramount and base concept Environmental science is the study of interactions among physical chemical and biological components of the environment. Landscape ecology is the science and art of studying and improving the relationship between spatial pattern and ecological processes on a multitude of scales and organizational levels (Wu 2006 2008 Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena Physical geography (also known as geosystems or physiography) is one of the three major subfields of Geography. Geology (from Greek γη gê, "earth" and λόγος Logos, "speech" lit The field of biogeochemistry involves scientific study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions Geomicrobiology is a subset of the scientific discipline Microbiology. Geomorphology (from Greek: γη ge, "earth" μορφή morfé, "form" and λόγος Logos, "knowledge" Hydrology (from Greek Yδωρ hudōr, "water" and λόγος logos, "study" is the study of the movement distribution and quality of Hydrogeology ( hydro- meaning water and -geology meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of Geology that deals with the distribution and Waste management is the collection Transport, processing, Recycling or disposal of Waste materials A wetland is an area of Land consisting of Soil that is Saturated with Moisture, such as a Swamp, Marsh, or Bog Agrology (from Greek grc ἀγρός agros, "field tilled land" and grc -λογία -logia) is the branch of soil science dealing The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS founded in 1924 is a Scientific Union member of the International Council for Science (ICSU which it recognizes The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA is a scientific and professional society of soil scientists principally in the U The Australian Society of Soil Science Incorporated (ASSSI was founded 1955 to "advance Soil science in the professional academic and technical fields" The World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS is a conference held every four years (although interrupted by World War II) under the guidance of the International Union This is a comprehensive list of universities and learning institutions which maintain Soil science curriculum This is a complete list of Soil science licensing boards State licensing in this context refers to any state regulatory program which limits the professional practice of soil science within This is a comprehensive list of state-level professional Soil science associations in the United States. ISRIC - World Soil Information established in 1964 is an independent foundation with a global mandate funded by the Netherlands Government and with a strategic association with Wageningen University Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Url last accessed 2006-04-19
  2. ^ Glomalin -- Summary Last updated 25 January 2006. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. CO2 Science. Url last accessed 2006-04-19
  3. ^ Soil (stability) -- Summary. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer CO2 Science. URL last accessed 2006-04-19
  4. ^ Soil Carbon Sequestration. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer CO2 Science. Url last accessed 2006-04-19
  5. ^ Vernacular Systems Url last accessed on 2006-04-18
  6. ^ Krasilnikov, N. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. A. (1958) Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants
  7. ^ Soils. The New Student's Reference Work. F. E. Compton and Company (1914). Retrieved on 2006-05-30. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following
  8. ^ Buol, S. W. ; Hole, F. D. and McCracken, R. J. (1973). Soil Genesis and Classification, First, Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8138-1460-5.  .
  9. ^ C. C. Nikiforoff. "Reappraisal of the soil: Pedogenesis consists of transactions in matter and energy between the soil and its surroundings". Science 129: 186-196.  

Soil Survey Staff (1993). Soil Survey: Early Concepts of Soil. (html) Soil Survey Manual USDA Handbook 18, Soil Conservation Service. U. S. Department of Agriculture. URL accessed on 2004-11-30.

External links

Dictionary

soil science

-noun

  1. The scientific study of the formation, classification, mapping, and the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic