Environmental soil science is the study of the interaction of humans with the
pedosphere as well as critical aspects of the
biosphere
The biosphere (from Greek βίος ''bíos'' "life" and σφαῖρα ''sphaira'' "sphere"), also known as the ecosphere (from Greek οἶκος ''oîkos'' "environment" and σφαῖρα), is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems. It can also be ...
, the
lithosphere, the
hydrosphere, and the
atmosphere
An atmosphere () is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. ...
. Environmental
soil science
Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and these properties in relation to ...
addresses both the fundamental and applied aspects of the field including: buffers and surface water quality,
vadose zone functions,
septic drain field site assessment and function, land treatment of
wastewater,
stormwater,
erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is di ...
control,
soil contamination with metals and pesticides,
remediation of contaminated soils, restoration of
wetlands,
soil degradation,
nutrient management, movement of viruses and bacteria in soils and waters,
bioremediation, application of
molecular biology
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The study of chemical and phys ...
and
genetic engineering to development of soil microbes that can degrade hazardous pollutants,
land use
Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural habitats such as arable fields, pastures, and managed woods. Land use by humans has a long his ...
,
global warming
In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate variability and change, Climate change in a broader sense also includes ...
,
acid rain, and the study of
anthropogenic soils, such as
terra preta. Much of the research done in environmental soil science is produced through the use of models.
See also
*
Soil functions
References
Bibliography
*Hillel, D., J.L.. Hatfield, D.S. Powlson, C. Rosenweig,
K. M. Scow, M.J. Singer and D.L. Sparks. Editors. (2004) Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment, Four-Volume Set, Volume 1-4,
External links
*
{{Environmental science
Edaphology
Environmental science