Soil Quality

Code:

AMB3003

Acronym:

AMB3003

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environmental Sciences

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CTA	31	Plano estudos a partir do ano letivo 2016/17	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The overall objective of this course is to provide the basic knowledge of soil science, including pedogenic processes as well as geological, physical, chemical and biological factors involved, that determine the properties of different soils and subsequently the functions and services they provide, as well as their suitability for different uses. To achieve this overall objective, the following specific objectives are suggested:

- Identify the different pedogenic processes (additions, translocations, changes and losses) in the soil;

- Identify the different geological, physical, chemical, climatic and biological factors that determine the formation and existence of different types of soil, and then govern the biological processes that occur in them;

- Identify the different factors that determine the behaviour and fate of organic and inorganic contaminants in the soil;

- Know the soil taxonomy and the international system of soil classification;

- Recognize the main functions and services provided by soil ecosystem;

- Understand the role of biota in the soil functions and services;

- Identify the main threats to soil quality in Europe;

- Know the main indicators of soil quality;

- To acquire the ability to evaluate different physical and chemical and soil biochemical parameters;

- To acquire the ability to suggest different soil management measures for their conservation;

Learning outcomes and competences

As a result of the frequency of the Course in Quality of Soils, students will be aware of the soil degradation problems in the world in general and Europe in particular, because of the services and functions provided by this environmental matrix, which are becoming seriously compromised. Students will also acquire the basic skills to evaluate different edaphic parameters that can be used to assess the quality of soil and acquire the ability to suggest appropriate management practices to specific land degradation situations, aimed in reversing this process.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic knowlege in environemntal sciences and ecology.

Program

THEORETICAL PROGRAM

 

Part 1 - 8 classes

 

1.1. Origin and soil concept. From the rocks to the soil: pedogenic processes.

1.2. Dynamic of soils evolution.

1.3. Chemical and mineralogical composition of the soil. Organic substances. Trace elements. 1.4. Particles, minerals, structure, texture, porosity and permeability.

1.5. Adsorption and ion exchange processes. Acid-base reactions. Hydration reactions, hydrolysis and redox processes.

1.6. Nutrient cycles in soil:  nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur.

1.7. Acidic, alkaline and saline soils.

1.8. Mechanisms of interaction and fate of contaminants in the soil.

1.9. European and national soil protection regulations.



Part 2 - 4 classes


2.1. Definitions of soil quality.

2.2. Soil functions and services.

2.3. The state of Soil in Europe.

2.4. Indicators of soil quality: physical, chemical and biological.

2.5. Soil management for quality.

PROGRAM Theoretico-practical (TP )/ Practical (P) classes

 

Part 1 - 8 TP and 8 P classes

 

1. Soil Classes - FAO-UNESCO soil classification.
2. The soil hydraulic conductivity.
3. Practical problem resolution.
4. Practical work:

- Determination of moisture and soil organic matter.

- Determination of the pH and electric conductivity of the soil.

- Soil radioactivity measurement

- Measuring the concentration of nitrate anion

- Measurement of the concentration of phosphorus

- Measurement of the total organic carbon (TOC). Fractionation of humic and fulvic acids.

- Acid digestion of soils

- Determination of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium and barium in soils

- Determination of the cation exchange capacity (CEC)


Part 2 - 4 TP  and 4 P classes

In theoretic-practical classes the principles of the methods to be performed in practical classes will be taught, in parallel with the presentation and discussion of case studies and respective results, in which the same methods were used. A class on sampling designs, sample types, processing and storage of samples after collection will also be given.

Practical work 1 - Determination of soil enzymes activity (2 P classes, incubation, enzyme assay and analysis of results).

Practical work 2 - Determination of the activity of soil fauna with the Bait-Lamina test (2P classes: baiting the lamina and placement in the field; lamina withdraw from the field and data analysis).

 

Mandatory literature

Ashman, M.R., Puri, G; Essential Soil Science, Blackwell Publishing, 2002
Carter, M-R. (Ed.); Sampling and Methods of Analysis. Canadian Society of Soil Science, Lewis Publishers, CRC Press, 1993. ISBN: 0-87371-861-5
Coleman, D.C., Crossley, Jr., D.A., Hendrix, P.F.; Fundamentals of Soil Ecology, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004. ISBN: 0-12-179726-0
Costa, J.B.; Caracterização e Constituição do Solo, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Serviço de Educação e Bolsas, 2011. ISBN: 978-972-31-0073-0
Gary M. Pierzynski, J. Thomas Sims e George F. Vance; Soils and Environmental Quality, 3th Edition, Taylor and Francis, 2005
Gerrard, J.; Fundamentals of Soils, Routledge, 2000. ISBN: 0-4-415-17004-4
Sparks, D.L. ; Environmental Soil Chemistry, Academic Press, 1995
SPAC – Soil and Plant Analysis Council; Soil Analysis. Handbook of Reference Methods. Soil and Plant Analysis Council, Inc., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2000. ISBN: 9780849302053
Tan, K.H.; Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis, Marcel Dekker , 1996. ISBN: 0-8493-3499-3
Wall, D.H., Bardgett, R.D., Behan-Pelletier, V., Herrick, J.E., Jones, T.H., Ritz, K., Six, J., Strong, D.R., van der Putten, W.H.; Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services, Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-968816-6
White, R.E. ; Principles and Practice of Soil Science – the soil as a natural resource, 3th Ed, Blackwell Science, 2000

Teaching methods and learning activities

In addition to formal classes, promotes the learning of the correct interpretation of the questions and planning the answers through the practice of answering to theoretical questions and problems resolution which also aim to: (a) encourage the study throughout the course, and (b) acquiring knowledge, the students acquired interest in the theme which helps to improve training and the final results. Practical works on subjects in the ambit of the curricular unit and their oral presentation are made by small teams (groups of students pre-defined).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Presence in 75% of the total number of sessions.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation of Soil Quality is performed based on the following two parameters:

- Final exam (60% of the grade).

- Report of the work of the practical classes (40% of the grade) - Groups of 2 students.