Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils, 3rd Edition: New International Edition

With an emphasis on the fundamentals, this book explores the important world of soils and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Fully updated in this edition, it includes the latest information on soil colloids; nutrient cycles and soil fertility; and soils and chemical pollution. This edition is filled with hundreds of new figures and photos and continues to use examples from many fields, including agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. Taking an ecological approach, it emphasizes how the soil system is interconnected and the principles behind each soil concept. Updated information in this edition includes: Engineering properties of soilsExpanded treatment of soil quality, soil degradation and soil resilienceA new section on septic tank drain fieldsExpanded section on irrigation managementA new section on wetlands and their poorly aerated soils

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Soils Around Us
Chapter 2. Formation Of Soils From Parent Materials
Chapter 3. Soil Classification
Chapter 4. Soil Architecture And Physical Properties
Chapter 5. Soil Water: Characteristics And Behavior
Chapter 6. Soil And The Hydrologic Cycle
Chapter 7. Soil Aeration And Temperature
Chapter 8. The Colloidal Fraction: Seat Of Soil Chemical And Physical Activity
Chapter 9. Soil Acidity, Alkalinity, Aridity, And Salinity
Chapter 10. Organisms And Ecology Of The Soil
Chapter 11. Soil Organic Matter
Chapter 12. Nutrient Cycles And Soil Fertility
Chapter 13. Practical Nutrient Management
Chapter 14. Soil Erosion And Its Control
Chapter 15. Soils And Chemical Pollution
Appendix: World Reference Base, Canadian, and Australian Soil Classification Systems
Appendix: SI Units, Conversion Factors, Periodic Table of the Elements, and Plant Names