Regional soil science and pedology

obligatory courses

The participants should have a basic knowledge of soil genesis and composition and geological engineering properties of soils.

The course consists of two parts. First part – pedology – deals with pedogenesis, soil morphology and classification, physical and chemical properties of soils and organic matter. Second part – regional soil science – presents a general characterization of main types of mineral and organic subsoils in Poland: occurrence, testing methods, geological engineering characteristic.

In the practical classes the following laboratory analysis of soils and subsoils are practiced:

1. part one - pedology:

a) textural classification of soils,

b) organic matter content,

c) determination of humic fractions content,

d) types of soil acidity, determination of pH and potential acidity,

e) characteristic of soils sorption capacity,

f) iron and carbonates content,

g) gleyic processes in soils examined by field method

2. part two - regional soil science:

a) particle size distribution by pipette method, procedure of fractions separation,

b) swelling pressure,

c) expansiveness – determined on the basis of empirical correlations.

After completion of the laboratory classes students:

P2A_U01 apply appropriate research methodology to identify and describe the properties of soils as well as organic and mineral subsoils,

P2A_U06 identify and describe the types of soils occurring in Poland,

P2A_K07 regularly update the knowledge in the field of soil science and know its practical applications.

- Knowledge of the material presented in laboratory classes, checked in two written tests,

- The correctness of laboratory work and reports,

- Self-study for the laboratory classes examined in the course of discussion and laboratory work,

- Two absences are allowed