Principles of Soil Processes

This course focuses on soil chemical, physical and biological processes. The soil is characterized as a buffering system with water and reactive soil particles affecting mobility and bioavailability of nutrients and contaminants. This affects soil organisms, plants and groundwater and thus soil quality. Processes like water flow, leaching, adsorption, precipitation and biodegradation are introduced. Also, the role of the soil system within biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients is discussed. Tutorials support the lectures with assignments. Students collect their own soil samples in the field and use these for various laboratory experiments. Practical sessions improve relevant practical skills and illustrate important topics.

• Describe the basic physical, chemical and biological processes in soils, explain how they work and carry out basic calculations

• Explain how soil systems affect biogeochemical cycles and calculate the effects on the carbon and nutrients cycles

• Apply basic field and laboratory methods for measuring important soil characteristics and soil processes

• Written test with open and closed questions (100%) Participation in field and laboratory practical sessions is mandatory and is part of the examination (fail / pass).
• Performance (0%) Participation in field and laboratory practical sessions is mandatory and is part of the examination (fail/pass).

ZSS06100 Laboratory Safety, ZSS06200 Fieldwork Safety

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