September 27: The Lithosphere - Soils, I, lecture material (pdf-file)

Reading assignment for September 29: Chapter 4 - The Lithosphere

September 29: The Lithosphere - Soils, II, lecture material, extra (pdf)

Reading assigments:

1. Reread Chapter 4 from the textbook
2. The listed link from the class overhead inlcuding the links 2.-12. on the list on top of that page !

Homeworks assigments (to be handed in on Thursday, 6th October):

1. Explain the main reason why some soils do not have a significant A (leached) horizon, while others do.  2 pts
   
2. List the effects that SOM has on soil properties.  3 pts
   
3. Choose a soil near your home and do the "finger test" to determine its texture, then find a soil map of Texas and compare your finding to the listed soil for this area.  2 pts
   
4. Water availability in soil is very important for plant growth and nutrient uptake and turnover. The relevant hydrologic parameter used by soil scientists is Water Filled Pore Space (WFPS). Find the definition/formula to calculate WFPS. What parameters need to be measured for the calculation? How is WFPS related to soil texture and SOM? 3 pts