The soil as a natural body; its main functions. Basic concepts of soil formation. Soil horizons. The nature of minerals, mineral weathering, clay minerals. Soil architecture: texture, structure, porosity, bulk density. Soil water: retention, movement, infiltration. Soil erosion. Soil pollution.
A. Giordano. Pedologia. Ed. UTET; Torino. 1999.
G. Certini e F.C. Ugolini. Basi di pedologia. Edgricole – Ed. Agricole Il Sole 24 Ore Spa; Milano. 2010.
notes and presentations from the teacher (pdf files).
Learning Objectives
Knolwedge of major soil properties and qualities. Basic elements of soil geography, addressing limitations and potential for use.
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Classroom lectures: 20 hours
Practicals, soil evaluation projects directly connected to the projects of the Laboratory course, 20 hours
Participation to the field seminar (all courses) 8 hours
Further information
Nonw
Type of Assessment
Single exam.
Student's choice between:
Oral exam: the student will be called to answer some questions about the course contents;
Presentation of an autonomous soil evaluation project (subject agreed basing on projects of the Laboratory course);
Foreign students only: written exam of 4 open answer questions.
Grading criteria: knowledge of course contents, ability to make connections, critical capability
Course program
The concept of soil as a natural body; relations of soil with the environment and soil major functions, both productive and ecosystem.
Basic concepts of soil formation processes. Soil horizons, genetic and diagnostic.
The nature of minerals, mineral weathering processes and major soil neoformation minerals: clay minerals and iron oxides.
Soil architecture: soil texture, soil structure, porosity, bulk density. Soil water infiltration, retention and movement.
Soil erosion; examples of soil pollution.