1. GES 175, The Science of Soils
Lecture 1, Introduction

2. Fine, mixed, active, thermic Abruptic Durixeralfs
CA State Soil
San Joaquin Series
Fine, mixed, active, thermic Abruptic Durixeralfs

3. A Tour of Soil Types Smectite Soil Iron and Al-oxide Rich
NE Montana Vertisol
Hawaiian Oxisol
Iron and Al-oxide Rich
A Tour of Soil Types

4. Soils of the
Mid-West
Mollisol

5. Soils of the Everglades
Spodosol

6. Soils of the North East
and North West
Spodosol

7. Soils of the Tropics
Oxisol

8. Soils from Wetlands
Histosol

9. Soils from Recent Landscapes
Inceptisol

10. Soils Near Recent Volcanic Activity
Andisols

11. 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”

12. Perceptions of Soil
Agriculture
Science
Environment

13. Soil Development

18. Soil Profile Development?

19. The Beginning

20. Soil Profile Development
contains characteristic layers called horizons A E B C
Bedrock
soil
development
Bedrock

21. Soil Forming Factors
Time
Parent Material
Climate
Biota
Topography

22. The difference between
What Defines a Soil?
“ 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”
The difference between
“Soil” and “Dirt”?

23. Soil Ecosystem
Soil is a living entity that is continually undergoing development; dirt is stagnant remnants of organic and mineral matter

24. SOIL COMPONENTS

25. Major Components
representative, medium-textured surface soil (by volume)

26. Major Components
representative, medium-textured surface soil (by volume)

27. Major Components
representative, medium-textured surface soil (by volume)
for optimum plant growth

28. Soil Organisms

29. Soil Minerals

30. Soil Chemistry

31. Soil Color Originates from the Molecular Framework

32. Unique and Important Properties of Soils

33. Soil: Natures Filter and Storage Bank
Fine, mixed, active, thermic Abruptic Durixeralfs

34. Retention within Soils
Fertilizer
* Soils act as a storage
bank for plant
nutrients
* retain water
* filter contaminants
Nitrogen,
Phosphorus,
Potassium...
H2O

35. Retention within SoilsCr Cr
H2O

36. Consequences of Misuse

39. Transformation of Waterbodies

40. Acid Mine Drainage

42. Result of Acid Mine Drainage