ENV2647

Soil science

Dr A Patti

6 points - Second semester - 3 hours lectures/tutorial per week and 3 hours of practical work per week - Gippsland/Peninsula/Berwick/ Distance - Prerequisites: CHM 1022 or CHM1639

Objectives On completion of this subject student will gain an understanding of the fundamental properties of soil and its composition; the role of physical, chemical and biological properties of soil in maintaining soil fertility; the chemistry of essential plant nutrients including N, P, K, and trace metals; the biotransformation of selected plant nutrients; environmental and resource issues relevant to soil including acidity, salinity, soil erosion, chemical pollution, soil management practices and effects of human inputs to soil.

Synopsis Topics covered in this subject include the nature of soil, its formation and classification; physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil; soil organic matter; chemistry of the nutrients in soil including ion exchange, ion sorption, redox potential; environmental impact of soil salinity, acidity and soil erosion and their management practices; effect of human inputs and activities on soils including agrochemicals, agricultural and industrial wastes and pollutants. The practical component of the course includes measurement of a series of selected parameters which are used to assess the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.

Assessment Written examination: 60% - Written assignments/field excursion report: 15% - Laboratory work: 25%

Prescribed texts

Singer M J and Munns D N Soils: An introduction 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1996

Recommended texts

Leeper G W and Uren N C Soil science: An introduction 5th edn, MUP, 1993
White R E Introduction to the principles and practices of soil science Blackwell

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