Soil Science and Soil Physics

Course guarantor:

Martin Šanda

Lecturer:

Michal Sněhota, Martin Šanda

Tutor:

Jan-František Kubát, Michal Sněhota, Martin Šanda, Michal Vrána

Supervisor:

Department of Landscape Water Conservation

Synopsis:

Upon completion of this course, the student will have a working knowledge of the principles and practices of soil science with focus on soil hydrology and soil chemistry.

Requirements:

no prerequisites

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introduction to soil science, importance of soils

2. Factors of soil formation

3. Physical properties of soils

4. Soil texture, particle size distribution

5. Soil structure, aggregation

6. Soil water: capillarity, soil water retention curve

7. Soil water: moisture measurement techniques, swelling

8. Hydraulic properties, hydraulic conductivity

9. Water flow in soil: saturated and unsaturated

10. Elementary processes: infiltration, evaporation, transpiration

11. Clay minerals, soil chemistry, ion exchange, sorption

12. Soil classification, diagnostic soil horizons

13. Soils of the World

14. Soil survey

Syllabus of tutorials:

1. Particle size analysis, solids density.

2. Retention curve of soil moisture, hydraulic conductivity.

3. Chemical properties: pH, el. conductivity, organic carbon

Laboratories are organized in 3 blocks of 4 hours.

Study Objective:

- understanding

Knowledge of soil type and soil class classification and its characteristics (focusing on water management).

Study materials:

1. Fitzpatrick, E.A. (1980). Soils: Their Formation, Classification and Distribution. Longman, London.

2. Jury, W.A. and Horton R. (2004). Soil Physics 6th Edition, Wiley, USA

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans: