Soil Science IS-FCEE-00032

Description:
Lecture: Introduction to the soil science, basic definitions. Soil genesis, physical and chemical weathering. Soil-forming factors and processes. Soil morphology. Physical properties of the soil. Water in soil, its forms, movement and assimilability to the plants. Soil air and soil temperature. Soil colloids and their properties. Soil sorption complex. Chemical properties of the soil. Reaction, acidity and alkalinity of the soil. Buffering properties of the soil. Soil organic matter. Soil microorganisms and their role in functioning of the soil. Fertility and abundance of the soil. Systematic of the Polish soils. Geography of soils of the world.

Laboratory: Soil morphological properties. Soil material. Soil texture. Physical properties of the soil. Water properties of the soil. Soil filtration. Soil reaction. Buffering properties of the soil. Soil sorption complex. Hydrolytic acidity of the soil. Calcium carbonate in soil environment. Calcium and magnesium in soil environment. Sodium and potassium in soil environment. Organic matter of soil. Humus in soil. Total content of chemical elements in soil environment. Phosphorus in soil environment. Assimilable forms of chemical elements in soils. Soil solution. Nitrogen and phosphorus forms in soil solution. Cartography of soils.

Skills: Students will get to know knowledge about basic properties of the soils, about their fertility and geography. Students will be preapred to determine basic physical and chemical properties of the soils.

Form of assessment: Writing exam.

Requirements:
Knowledge of chemistry and cartography.