Code: 143SSP Soil Science and Soil Physics
Lecturer: doc. Ing. Michal Sněhota Ph.D. Weekly load: 2P+2C Completion: A, EX
Department: 11143 Credits: 4 Semester: W
Description:
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.
Contents:
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
Seminar contents:
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.
Recommended literature:
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

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