Environmental Soil Science

An examination of the basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil with emphasis on environmental science and natural resource applications. Soil's natural role in biome structure, nutrient cycling, water purification, and carbon storage will be explored. Processes important to soil and groundwater pollution (subsurface movement, attenuation, and remediation) will be discussed. Special attention given to wetland soil processes and the identification of hydric soils in the landscape.

Environmental Soil Chemistry

With lab. Fundamental chemical processes in soils such as precipitation/dissolution, ion exchange, redox reactions, partitioning and adsorption, and ion speciation as well as the nature of soil minerals and organic matter. Chemical processes affecting fate, transport, availability and remediation of heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils and other related terrestrial environments also addressed. Computer models used to examine some current environmental, agricultural, and engineering problems. Problem solving requiring algebraic and numerical manipulations.

Environmental Soil Chemistry

With lab. Fundamental chemical processes in soils such as precipitation/dissolution, ion exchange, redox reactions, partitioning and adsorption, and ion speciation as well as the nature of soil minerals and organic matter. Chemical processes affecting fate, transport, availability and remediation of heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils and other related terrestrial environments also addressed. Computer models used to examine some current environmental, agricultural, and engineering problems. Problem solving requiring algebraic and numerical manipulations.

Microbiology of the Soil

Microbial processes in the soil and sediment environments. The ecology of the various microbial communities; the decomposition of organic matter, carbon transformations, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other mineral transformations; chemistry of these reactions and their biogeochemical implications; biological equilibrium, the rhizosphere, and microbial associations. Prerequisites: basic biology and organic chemistry.
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