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PLNTSOIL 565: Soil Formation
and Classification
Instructor: Dr. P.L.M.
Veneman
Semester: Spring
Lecture: MWF 12:20-1:15
Laboratory: F 1:25-3:20
Credits: 4
Required Work: 2 Exams, Final
Examination
Course Description:
Effect of environmental factors on soil formation and land
use. Relationship between soil morphology, classification, and use interpretations.
Application of soils information to on-site sewage disposal, wetland identification,
and other environmentally significant problem areas. Some full-day field
trips. Prerequisite: introductory course in chemistry, geology, soil or
environmental science; or consent of instructor.
Course Schedule:
|
Week:*
|
Discussion
Topic
|
| 1 |
Introduction;
History of soil genesis; soil profile; concept and definitions |
| 2 |
Horizons,
color, texture; Consistence, structure, micromorphology |
| 3 |
Diagnostic
horizons; Physical properties; Chemical properties |
| 4 |
Clay
mineralogy; Soil weathering; Pedogenic processes |
| 5 |
Soil
forming factors, Parent material, Topography |
| 6 |
Climate;
Biological factors, Time |
| 7 |
Exam;
Soil systems, Soil classification |
| 8 |
U.S.
soil taxonomic system; Entisols, Inceptisols |
| 9 |
Spodosols;
Alfisols, Ultisols, Andisols |
| 10 |
Vertisols,
Aridisols, Oxisols |
| 11 |
Exam,
Histosols, Review of the taxonomic orders, Soilscape characterization |
| 12 |
Land
use planning and soil interpretation, Application of pedological information |
| 13 |
Septic
systems, siting and disposal; Hydric Soils; federal wetland delineation
method; Current problems in pedology |
| *Time
devoted to each topic is approximate |
|
