Soils and the Environment [Paperback]

This introductory text aims to help students understand the behaviour of soils in both the man-made and the natural environment.Geared to help students understand the ecological significance of soil, this introduction to its general properties and processes includes an analysis of soil's role in supporting plant growth and maintaining a clean environment.Geared to help students understand the ecological significance of soil, this introduction to its general properties and processes includes an analysis of soil's role in supporting plant growth and maintaining a clean environment.This introductory text aims to help students understand the behavior of soils in both the man-made and the natural environment. The book is structured in two parts: Part A is an introduction to general soil properties and processes, while Part B considers soil in relation to the environment, covering topics such as the role of soil in supporting plant growth, in maintaining a clean environment, and in the flux of atmospheric gases. Issues such as acidification, contamination, conservation and erosion are also considered.Preface; Units, symbols and general information; 1. Introduction: Soil in a natural and man-made environment; Part I. Soil Properties and Processes: 2. The soil components; 3. Development of soils; 4. Sorptive properties of soil; 5. Organisms and soil processes; 6. Movement of water, air, solutes and heat in soil; Part II. Soils in Relation to the Environment: 7. Soil as a medium for plant growth; 8. Soil conditions and crop production; 9. Soil acidification; 10. Heavy metals and radionuclides in soil; 11. Soils, the atmosphere, global warming and ozone depletion; 12. Soil erosion and conservation; 13. Soils in the environment: problems and solutions; Subject index. A good addition to an undergraduate-level library collection. H.N. Cunningham, Choice Written in an accessible style...Useful for those who wish to gain an insight into how soil shapes our world. Abstracts ol³r