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GES 175, The Science of Soils
Lecture 1, Introduction
CA State Soil
San Joaquin Series
Fine, mixed, active, thermic
Abruptic Durixeralfs
Smectite Soil
Iron and Al-oxide Rich
A Tour of Soil Types
NE Montana Vertisol
Hawaiian Oxisol
Soils of the
Mid-West
Mollisol
Soils of the
Everglades
Spodosol
Soils of the North East
and North West
Spodosol
Soils of the Tropics
Oxisol
Soils from
Wetlands
Histosol
igid Typic Haplosaprist
Soils from Recent
Landscapes
Inceptisol
Soils Near Recent
Volcanic Activity
Andisols
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, nonrenewable natural resources
• To learn the appropriate use of the terms “soil” and
“dirt”
Perceptions of Soil
Agriculture
Science
Environment
Soil Development
Soil Profile Development
?
The Beginning

Soil Profile Development

contains characteristic
layers called horizons
A
E
B
Bedrock
development
C
Bedrock
soil
Soil Forming Factors
•Time
•Parent Material
•Climate
•Biota
•Topography
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”?
Soil Ecosystem
Soil is a living entity that is continually undergoing development;
dirt is stagnant remnants of organic and mineral matter
SOIL
COMPONENTS
Major Components
representative,
pore
space
50%
medium-textured
surface soil (by
volume)
soil
solids
50%
Major Components
representative,
pore
space
50%
medium-textured
surface soil (by
volume)
mineral
45%
organic
5%
Major Components
air
25%
representative,
medium-textured
surface soil (by
volume)
water
25%
 for optimum plant
organic
growth
5%
mineral
45%
Soil Organisms
Soil Minerals
Soil Chemistry
Soil Color Originates from the Molecular Framework
Unique and Important Properties of Soils
Soil:
Natures Filter and
Storage Bank
Fine, mixed, active, thermic
Abruptic Durixeralfs
Retention within Soils
Fertilizer
Nitrogen,
Phosphorus,
Potassium...
* Soils act as a storage
bank for plant
nutrients
* retain water
* filter contaminants
H2O
Retention within Soils
Cr
Cr
H2O
Consequences of
Misuse
Transformation of
Waterbodies
Acid Mine Drainage
Result of Acid Mine Drainage