Definitions of Soil - Introductory Soils - Lecture Notes | NRES 201, Study notes of Earth Sciences

Download Definitions of Soil - Introductory Soils - Lecture Notes | NRES 201 and more Study notes Earth Sciences in PDF only on Docsity! NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 1 NRES 201 Introductory Soils Lecturers Professor Ken Olson Office: S-224 Turner Hall Phone: 333-9639 e-mail: krolson@illinois.edu Professor Tim Ellsworth Office: S-210 Turner Hall Phone: 333-2055 e-mail: ellswort@illinois.edu Professor Richard Mulvaney Office: S-220 Turner Hall Phone: 333-9467 e-mail: mulvaney@illinois.edu NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 2 Laboratory Instructors Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday labs Dr. Saeed Khan Office: S-216 Turner Hall Phone: 333-9460 e-mail: s-ahmad1@illinois.edu Tuesday lab Catherine Byers Office: N-207 Turner Hall Phone: 244-0153 e-mail: cbyers2@illinois.edu Weekly Contact Times Lectures W-109 Turner Hall 11-11:50am MWF Office hours: 9-10 MWF Labs W-1 Turner Hall 1-3:50pm Monday 2-4:50pm Tuesday 1-3:50pm Wednesday 1-3:50pm Thursday Office hours: 10-12 Tuesday NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 5 Lecture Schedule Section 3 Primary lecturer: Prof. Mulvaney Period(s) Topic Reading 29-31 Soil acidity, alkalinity, & salinity Chap. 9 32-34 Soil organisms & ecology Chap. 10 35-37 Biotic cycling of N & S Chap. 12 38-40 Soil P, K, & micronutrients Chap. 13 41-43 Practical nutrient management Chap. 14 ______ Final Exam (Dec. 18) ______ Lab Schedule Week of Topic Aug. 25 Soil color, structure, texture, & soil horizons Sep. 8 Soil survey maps & reports & soil cores Sep. 15 Soil profile description (South Farm field trip) Sep. 22 Aggregate stability & erosion Sep. 29 Soil texture, bulk & particle densities Oct. 6 GIS/Spatial variability Oct. 13 Soil water Oct. 20 Cation exchange capacity Oct. 27 Soil pH & lime recommendations Nov. 3 Biological activity in soils Nov. 10 Soil-based nitrogen management Nov. 17 Lab practical NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 6 Grading System Points Quizzes (11@20 pts; drop lowest) 200 Problem sets (3@40 pts) 120 Hour exams (2@100 pts) 200 Lab grade 280 Final exam 200 Total 1000 Bonus credit 40 Grading Scale Points Points A+ ≥ 970 C+ 770-799 A 940-969 C 740-769 A– 900-939 C– 700-739 B+ 870-899 D+ 670-699 B 840-869 D 640-669 B– 800-839 D– 600-639 F < 600 NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 7 Ground Rules • A quiz will be given each Friday, except Sep. 26 and Oct. 31. • No makeup quizzes except for excused absences. • Problem sets are due at the beginning of lecture. • No late problem sets. • Quizzes and exams are closed book. • Lab grade is for write-ups and quizzes. • Final exam is comprehensive. • Bonus credit is for unannounced lecture questions. Why study soils? Source: Albrecht (1975) NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 10 Functions of Soil • Medium for plant growth How does the soil affect plant growth? • Physical support • Aeration (O2 & CO2) • Water availability • Thermal insulation • Control of toxicities • Nutrient supply NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 11 The essential nutrient elements From air or water • Carbon (C) • Hydrogen (H) • Oxygen (O) From soil solids • Nitrogen (N) • Phosphorus (P) • Potassium (K) • Calcium (Ca) • Magnesium (Mg) • Sulfur (S) • Boron (B) • Copper (Cu) • Iron (Fe) • Manganese (Mn) • Molybdenum (Mo) • Zinc (Zn) Functions of Soil • Medium for plant growth • Regulator of water supplies NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 12 Functions of Soil • Medium for plant growth • Regulator of water supplies • Waste recycling system Functions of Soil • Medium for plant growth • Regulator of water supplies • Waste recycling system • Habitat for soil organisms NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 15 The affected area Source: Worster (2004) The consequences • Serious loss of valuable topsoil - To the East Coast and Atlantic Ocean • Drastic decline in wheat and cattle output • Health hazard • Abandoned farms and refugees - Okies and exodusters headed west Source: National Archives NRES 201 Lecture 1 (Fall 2008): Introduction 16 A shift in thinking • From a view that soils are indestructible (Bureau of Soils, 1909) • To the obvious evidence of the Dust Bowl • Soil Conservation Service established (1935) “The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.” F. D. Roosevelt (1937)