ges 175, the science of soils lecture 1, introduction
TRANSCRIPT
CA State SoilCA State Soil
Fine, mixed, active, thermicFine, mixed, active, thermicAbruptic Durixeralfs Abruptic Durixeralfs
San Joaquin SeriesSan Joaquin Series
Course Objectives
• To comprehend the physical, chemical, and biological processes functioning within soils
• To define factors influencing elemental (contaminant and nutrient) cycling within terrestrial ecosystems
• To obtain an appreciation for soils as dynamic, non-renewable natural resources
• To learn the appropriate use of the terms “soil” and “dirt”
Soil Profile DevelopmentSoil Profile Development contains characteristic contains characteristic
layers called layers called horizonshorizons
BedrockBedrock
A
EE
B
C
BedrockBedrock
soil
development
Soil Forming Factors
•Time
•Parent Material
•Climate
•Biota
•Topography
•Time
•Parent Material
•Climate
•Biota
•Topography
What Defines a Soil?
The difference between “Soil” and “Dirt”?
“ dynamic natural bodies having properties derived from the combined effects of climate and biotic activities, as modified by topography, acting on parent material over periods of time”
Soil is a living entity that is continually undergoing development; dirt is stagnant remnants of organic and mineral matter
Soil Ecosystem
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
soil solids50%
pore space50%
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
mineral45%
pore space50%
organic 5%
Major ComponentsMajor Components
representative, representative, medium-textured medium-textured surface soil (by surface soil (by volume)volume)
for optimum plant for optimum plant growth growth
mineral45%
air25%
water25%
organic 5%
Fertilizer
H2O
Retention within Soils
Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium...
* Soils act as a storagebank for plant nutrients
* retain water
* filter contaminants