Lecture 1

Soil as an Open System

Energy losses Energy gains Gain of Water Surficial gains Erosion Biocycling of Materials Losses of water

Solum

Intersolum Translocations

Intersolum Transformations

Geochemical Weathering

Leaching
4

10

11

1.To identify pedological prosesses 2.To elaborate soil genesis 3.To characterize morphological and mineralogical properties

4.To examine soil-landscape relationships

12

Pedological Research

13

Geomorphology

14

15

16

17

Sloping Areas

18

19

Instruments for Field Analysis

20

Profile
Description

21

Standard Profile Description

The following information is collected for assembling standard profile descriptions: Depth intervals of horizons or layers (measured from the top of the mineral horizon) Horizon boundary characteristics Color Texture Structure, pores Consistence Roots pH, EC Special features such as coatings, nodules, and concretions, plinthite, etc
22

Horizon/Layer Thickness
O Ah Bm 10 23 Bm 40 B/C 45 O Ah 20 10

B/C
65 Ck Ck R 82 R 80 67

23

Boundary characteristics.
The boundary between the horizons can be described considering the distinctness and topography. Distinctness refers to the degree of contrast between two adjoining horizons and the thickness of the transition between them. Topography refers to the shape or degree of irregularity of the boundary.
24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

Rooting System

36

37

38

39

Horizon Sampling
40

41