Essentials of Soil Science: Soil Formation, Functions, use and Classification (World Reference Base, WRB)

173 Pages·2018·5.083 MB·English

by  Winfried E. H. Blum, Peter Schad, Stephen Nortcliff

W. E. H. Blum • P. Schad • S. Nortcliff B Winfried E. H. Blum • Peter Schad • Stephen Nortcliff
l
u
Essentials of Soil Science m
Essentials of

Soil formation, functions, use and classifi cation •

S
(World Reference Base, WRB) c
h
a
d Soil Science

•

This book is an introduction to soil science and describes the development N
o
of soils, their characteristics and their material composition as well as their
r
t
functions in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Soil functions include the c
l
delivery of goods and services for human society, such as food, clean water, iff Soil formation, functions, use and

and the maintenance of biodiversity. The book is illustrated with many col-

oured fi gures and tables to accompany the text and ease its understanding. classifi cation (World Reference Base, WRB)

Particularly, the chapter on soil classifi cation, based on the World Reference

E
Base for Soil Resources (WRB), includes numerous coloured pictures to fa-
s
s
cilitate understanding the characteristics of particular soil types. Chapters on
e
soil protection and remediation as well as on soil monitoring and the history n
t
of soil sciences conclude the book together with a comprehensive alphabeti- ia
l
cal index, allowing for a quick and easy orientation about the most important s

o
terms in soil sciences.
f

S
o
i
l

S
This concise, yet comprehensive text is ideal reading for all those looking to
c
understand soils, their functions, their importance in terrestrial and aquatic ie
n
environments and their contribution to the development of human society. It
c
will provide a valuable resource for teachers, practitioners and students of e
soil science, agriculture, farming, forestry, gardening, terrestrial and aquatic
ecology and environmental engineering.
B
ISBN 978-3-443-01090-4 B
Borntraeger Science Publishers
www.borntraeger-cramer.com
9 783443 010904
W.E.H. Blum/P. Schad/S. Nortcliff
Essentials of Soil Science
Soil formation, functions,
use and classifi cation (World
Reference Base, WRB)
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr__AAuugguusstt__2255__22001177..iinndddd 11 2299..0088..22001177 0022::4400::3322
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr__AAuugguusstt__2255__22001177..iinndddd 22 2299..0088..22001177 0022::4400::3322
Essentials
of Soil Science
Soil formation, functions, use
and classification (World reference
Base, WRB)
Winfried E. H. Blum
Peter Schad
Stephen Nortcliff
With 101 fi gures and 22 tables
B
Borntraeger Science Publishers, Stuttgart 2018
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr__AAuugguusstt__2255__22001177..iinndddd 33 2299..0088..22001177 0022::4400::3322
Winfried E. H. Blum, Peter Schad, Stephen Nortcliff: Essentials of Soil Science. Soil formation,
functions, use and classification (World Reference Base, WRB)
Author’s addresses:
em.Prof.Dipl.Ing.Dr.Dr.h.c.mult. Winfried E.H. Blum, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU),
Vienna, Peter-Jordan-Str. 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria. [e-mail]
Dr. Peter Schad, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Chair of Soil
Science, Emil-Ramann-Str. 2, 85354 Freising, Germany. [e-mail]
Professor Stephen Nortcliff , Emeritus Professor of Soil Science, Soil Research Centre, Department of Geography
and Environmental Sciences, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, Whiteknights, PO
Box 233, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6DW, United Kingdom. s.nortcliff @reading.ac.uk
We would be pleased to receive your comments on the content of this book:
[e-mail]
Front cover: Stagnosol from loess, Swabian Alb, Germany (Photo: P. Schad)
(cid:3)
(cid:3)
(cid:44)(cid:54)(cid:37)(cid:49)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:83)(cid:71)(cid:73)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:26)(cid:27)-(cid:22)-443(cid:16)01129(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:3)
(cid:3)ISBN 978-3-443-01090-4
Information on this title: www.borntraeger-cramer.de/9783443010904
Classroom sets of 10 and 20 copies are available: Order No. for 10 copies: 001201611
Order No. for 20 copies: 001201621
© 2018 Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Gebr. Borntraeger Science Publishers.
Publisher: Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung
Johannesstraße 3A, 70176 Stuttgart, Germany
[e-mail] www.borntraeger-cramer.de
P Printed on permanent paper conforming to ISO 9706-1994
Printed in Germany by Tutte Druckerei & Verlagsservice GmbH, 94121 Salzweg
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr__AAuugguusstt__2255__22001177..iinndddd 44 2299..0088..22001177 0022::4400::3322
Foreword
“Essentials of Soil Science” is an updated English translation of the highly valued
German textbook „Bodenkunde in Stichworten” (now in its 7th edition), which was
conceived in 1969 as a standard text in soil science for universities, high schools and
all kinds of learned institutions related to soil science and its applications, including
practitioners in agriculture, forestry, landscape planning and architecture and users of
soil in engineering and other areas.
The book contains fundamental chapters on soil formation, physical, chemical and
biological soil properties and functions, soil classifi cation, soil use, and soil protec-
tion, which have been revised and updated in order to create an ideal introduction into
soils and their use.
The authors are grateful to Mrs. Elfriede Schuhbauer for her valuable help to improve
the fi gures and thank the editor for the excellent outlay and printing of the book.
Winfried E.H. Blum, Peter Schad, Stephen Nortcliff
February 2017
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr44__JJuullyy__2200..iinndddd 55 0088..0088..22001177 2233::3355::1166
About the authors:
Winfried E.H. Blum
Emeritus Professor of Soil Science at the University of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna /
Austria. Studies of natural sciences and forest engi-
neering in Germany and France. Professor of soil sci-
ence at Freiburg University/Germany, State University
of Paraná in Curitiba/Brazil and BOKU University in
Vienna/Austria. Member of numerous learned national
and international organisations worldwide. Author of
more than 800 scientifi c publications including books
and monographs in 15 languages with numerous dis-
tinctions and awards.
Peter Schad
Peter Schad is a lecturer of soil science at the Technical
University of Munich (Germany). He holds a Master’s
Degree in Biology and a PhD in soil science. He is the
lead author of the current edition of the international
soil classifi cation system WRB. During his countless
excursions worldwide, he has been able to familiarize
himself with the soils of all ecozones across the globe.
Stephen Nortcliff
Stephen Nortcliff is Emeritus Professor of Soil Science at
Reading University, United Kingdom. He joined Read-
ing in 1978, teaching and researching in a wide range of
soil science areas. His initial research focus was in soil
variability and its characterisation to assist soil survey
and soil mapping. He subsequently worked on the sus-
tainable management of soils of the Tropics.Within the
United Kingdom he worked on the use of recycled or-
ganic residues in the form of compost and anaerobic di-
gestates to reduce the requirements for inorganic fertilis-
er inputs. He was Secretary General of the International
Union of Soil Sciences from 2002 to 2010 and continues
to be actively involved in the Union’s management.
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr44__JJuullyy__2200..iinndddd 66 0088..0088..22001177 2233::3355::1166
Table of Contents
Foreword ..................................................................................................... 5
About the authors ......................................................................................... 6
1 Introduction .................................................................................... 13
1.1 Defi nition of soil .................................................................................. 13
1.2 Soil functions ....................................................................................... 13
1.3 Soil science .......................................................................................... 14
2 Soil components ............................................................................ 16
2.1 Mineral components ............................................................................. 16
2.1.1 Parent materials ................................................................................. 16
2.1.1.1 Rocks and technogenic materials ................................................... 17
2.1.1.2 Minerals ......................................................................................... 19
2.1.2 Transformation processes of rocks and minerals .............................. 21
2.1.2.1 Weathering processes ..................................................................... 22
2.1.2.1.1 Physical weathering processes .................................................... 22
2.1.2.1.2 Chemical and biological weathering processes .......................... 22
2.1.2.2 Formation of new minerals (neoformation) ................................... 24
2.1.2.2.1 Formation of clay minerals from micas ...................................... 25
2.1.2.2.2 Formation of clay minerals from end products of silicate weathering 25
2.1.2.2.3 Formation of oxides and hydroxides ........................................... 26
2.1.3 The products of silicate weathering .................................................. 27
2.1.3.1 Clay minerals ................................................................................. 27
2.1.3.1.1 1:1 clay minerals ......................................................................... 27
2.1.3.1.2 2:1 clay minerals ......................................................................... 28
2.1.3.1.3 2:1:1 clay minerals ...................................................................... 31
2.1.3.1.4 Allophanes ................................................................................... 32
2.1.3.2 Oxides and hydroxides ................................................................... 32
2.1.3.3 Water-soluble components ............................................................. 34
2.1.4 The mineral fractions of soils ............................................................ 34
2.2 Organisms ............................................................................................ 36
2.2.1 Soil fl ora ............................................................................................ 36
2.2.2 Soil fauna .......................................................................................... 39
2.3 Organic components ............................................................................ 40
2.3.1 Sources of soil organic matter ........................................................... 40
2.3.2 Transformation processes of soil organic matter .............................. 41
2.3.2.1 Mineralization of soil organic matter ............................................. 41
2.3.2.2 Formation of stable soil organic matter ......................................... 42
2.3.3 Humic substances .............................................................................. 44
2.3.4 Humus forms ..................................................................................... 45
2.3.5 Organic matter content of soils ......................................................... 46
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr44__JJuullyy__2200..iinndddd 77 0088..0088..22001177 2233::3355::1166
8
2.3.6 Soil organic matter and the global C budget ..................................... 47
2.4 Soil water ............................................................................................. 48
2.4.1 Water-holding capacity of soils ......................................................... 49
2.4.1.1 Binding energy ............................................................................... 49
2.4.1.2 Water capacity ................................................................................ 49
2.4.1.3 Water tension .................................................................................. 50
2.4.2 Water movement in soils ................................................................... 52
2.4.2.1 Flow of liquid water ....................................................................... 52
2.4.2.2 Movement of water vapour within soils ........................................ 53
2.5 Soil air .................................................................................................. 53
2.5.1 Composition of soil air ...................................................................... 54
2.5.2 Gas exchange between soil and atmosphere ..................................... 54
3 Soil characteristics ....................................................................... 55
3.1 Physical properties of soils .................................................................. 55
3.1.1 Particle size and texture .................................................................... 55
3.1.2 Soil structure ..................................................................................... 57
3.1.2.1 Soil pore volume ............................................................................ 58
3.1.2.2 Types of soil structure .................................................................... 60
3.1.2.3 The development of soil aggregate structure ................................. 62
3.1.2.3.1 Coagulation and peptization ....................................................... 62
3.1.2.3.2 Shrinking and swelling of soils ................................................... 62
3.1.2.3.3 Frost action .................................................................................. 63
3.1.2.3.4 The activity of soil organisms ..................................................... 63
3.1.3 Particle density and bulk density ...................................................... 64
3.1.4 Soil consistence ................................................................................. 64
3.1.5 Soil temperature ................................................................................ 64
3.1.6 Soil colour ......................................................................................... 65
3.2 Physico-chemical properties of soils ................................................... 66
3.2.1 Ion exchange in soils ......................................................................... 66
3.2.1.1 Cation exchange ............................................................................. 67
3.2.1.1.1 The causes of cation exchange .................................................... 68
3.2.1.1.2 Cation exchange processes ......................................................... 70
3.2.1.1.3 The properties of the ions ............................................................ 71
3.2.1.1.4 The properties of the ion exchanger ............................................ 71
3.2.1.1.5 Ionic composition and ion concentration of the solution ............ 71
3.2.1.1.6 Combined eff ects of the various factors ..................................... 72
3.2.1.1.7 Theory of cation exchange in soils ............................................. 73
3.2.1.2 Anion exchange .............................................................................. 73
3.2.2 Soil pH (Soil reaction) ...................................................................... 74
3.2.2.1 How the soil pH is established ....................................................... 76
3.2.2.2 The causes and consequences of soil acidity ................................. 76
3.2.2.2.1 Processes poducting H+ ions in soils .......................................... 77
3.2.2.2.2 Loss of base cations from the soil ............................................... 78
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr44__JJuullyy__2200..iinndddd 88 0088..0088..22001177 2233::3355::1166
9
3.2.2.2.3 pH variation in soils with depth .................................................. 78
3.2.2.3 Soil pH buff ering ............................................................................ 78
3.2.2.4 Why soil pH is important ............................................................... 80
3.2.3 Redox dynamics in soils ................................................................... 80
3.3 Biological properties of soils ............................................................... 82
4 Soil formation (Pedogenesis) .......................................................83
4.1 Factors of soil formation ...................................................................... 83
4.1.1 Parent material (parent rock) of soils ................................................ 84
4.1.1.1 Chemical and mineral composition of parent material .................. 84
4.1.1.2 Structure and particle size of parent material ................................ 85
4.1.2 Climate .............................................................................................. 85
4.1.2.1 Temperature eff ect on soil formation ............................................. 86
4.1.2.2 Water (as agent of soil formation) .................................................. 86
4.1.2.3 Overall characterization of the climate .......................................... 86
4.1.3 Relief and gravity .............................................................................. 87
4.1.4 Biota (vegetation, animals, microorganisms) ................................... 88
4.1.5 The human impact on soils ............................................................... 89
4.1.6 Interaction of the soil-forming factors over time .............................. 90
4.2 Processes of soil formation .................................................................. 91
4.2.1 Transformation processes .................................................................. 91
4.2.2 Translocation processes .................................................................... 91
4.2.2.1 Salt, gypsum and carbonate transport ............................................ 91
4.2.2.2 Clay migration ............................................................................... 92
4.2.2.3 Transport of organic substances ..................................................... 92
4.2.2.4 Si, Al, Fe and Mn transport ............................................................ 92
4.2.2.5 Turbation (mixing processes) ......................................................... 94
4.2.2.6 Surface transport of soil material ................................................... 95
4.3 The soil profi le ..................................................................................... 95
4.3.1 Soil properties ................................................................................... 95
4.3.2 Soil horizons ..................................................................................... 96
4.3.3 Horizon combinations and soil groups ............................................. 99
4.4 Soil sequences ...................................................................................... 99
5 Soil Classifi cation ......................................................................... 101
5.1 Soil classifi cation systems .................................................................... 101
5.1.1 Factor systems ................................................................................... 101
5.1.2 Property-based systems ..................................................................... 102
5.1.3 Combined systems ............................................................................ 103
5.1.4 The International Soil Classifi cation System WRB .......................... 103
5.2 The major soils of the world ................................................................. 104
5.2.1 Soils with initial to intermediate soil formation ............................... 105
bblluumm__KKoorrrreekkttuurr44__JJuullyy__2200..iinndddd 99 0088..0088..22001177 2233::3355::1177