Ch.2. Soil:

Where the spheres coexist & interact (hav-ing interfaces of different spheres)

Subject of many study fields, including envi-ronmental sciences

Different definitions by different study fields In this course, we simply define it as “the

unconsolidated material on the Earth’s sur-face”

Importance of soilMost agricultural production (producing

foods!) relies on itHome of many life forms, consequently, es-

sential part of the balance among the ecosys-tems on Earth

Big buffer against the environmental impacts (natural attenuation)

So many (our) activities would not be possible to occur without soil

Others

From http://www.soilfoodweb.com/sfi_approach1.html

From http://www.threer.co.uk/services_remediation_natatten.php

Classification of soilGenetic classification: zonal, intrazonal,

azonal soilsEngineering classification: based on the

constituent’s grain size and their composi-tion

Classification with taxonomy○ Order > Suborder > Great Group > Subgroup

> Family > Series

From http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/soils-and-land-use/4

Distribution of zonal, intrazonal, and azonal soils in North Island,New Zealand

Soil classification with the grain compositions

From http://www.oneplan.org/Water/soil-triangle.asp

Unified soil classification system (USCS)

From http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/classes/geol552/seddescrip-tion.htm

From http://www.soils.wisc.edu/courses/SS325/soiltaxonomy.htm

From http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/krubin/gg425-sched.html

10 Soil Orders

From http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/library/maps/Circumpolar/classification.html

Characteristics (Properties) of soils are determined byClimate,Topography,Parental rock, andVegetation and other biological activities

From http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/krubin/gg425-sched.html

Climate & soil

Topography & soil

From http://www.siera104.com/Soils/index.html

From http://www.soil-net.com/legacy/advanced/soil_formation4.htm

Soil properties affected by parent materials

From http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/dairy/pastures-management/fertilising-dairy-pastures/chapter-3

From http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-078X2003000300003&lng=en&nrm=iso&ignore=.html

Influence of vegetation on soil properties(KELLY L.M. DECKER & R.E.J. BOERNERRevista Chilena de Historia Natural 76: 371-381, 2003 )

Soil profile: Characteristics of vertically developed layers parallel to the surface (horizons)

From http://www.fao.org/Wairdocs/ILRI/x5546E/x5546e04.htm

From http://quakeinfo.ucsd.edu/~gabi/erth15-06/Lecture24.html

From http://www.saburchill.com/lab/field/field02.htmlFrom http://ecoclublive.blogspot.com/2011/01/soil.html

From http://ncealevel2sci.wikispaces.com/Fertilizers