SOQ-30306 Soil Quality
Vak
Studiepunten 6.00
| Onderwijstype | Contacturen |
| One day excursion | 8 |
| Lectures | 28 |
| Practical extensively supervised | 30 |
| Tutorial | 15 |
| Self-study |
Language of instruction:
English
Assumed knowledge on:
Introductory level course on Ecology (for instance NCP-10306), Soil Science (for instance SOQ-10306 and SOQ-20806) and Soil Chemistry (SOQ-20306) or Soil Pollution and Soil Protection (SOQ-21306). For more details of assumed knowledge see Study Guide, available at the subdepartment of Soil Quality.
Continuation courses:
Speciation and Transport (SOQ-31306), Nutrient management (SOQ-31806), Thesis Soil Quality
Contents:
The dynamics of nutrients and contaminants within the terrestrial ecosystem including the groundwater and their relationship with soil biota are explained and related to actual environmental issues such as mobility, bioavailability, soil quality assessment, soil remediation, and nature restoration. Soil quality aspects are discussed with a focus on nature, agriculture and the environment. Actual environmental issues regarding nutrients (in surplus as well as limiting supplies) and contaminants are presented and explained. Soil quality standards are discussed in relation to chemical o.a. compound behaviour, risk assessment protocols, and fertilizer recommendations. An outline is given of the policy legislation.
Aims:
Knowledge of and insight in actual (inter)national policy issues and standards related to soil quality, particular in relation to nutrient and contaminant mobility and availability. Practical and modelling experience in relation to scientific and practical issues of soil quality. Basic skills to operate as scientist or policymaker within the field of soil quality.
Activities:
The lectures provide students with basic knowledge. During a day-excursion interactions between the various actors within the field are demonstrated in a real-life case. In the practical a selection of techniques used in soil chemical and biological research is demonstrated and applied. In the tutorials datasets and computer simulation models are used to illustrate their pros and cons in policymaking and hands-on exercises will be used to show their contribution to deskstudies.
Examination:
Written exams of the lecture textbook, report on the practical course and tutorials, participation in excursion.
Literature:
Reader Soil Quality (7303121) and Practical manual Soil Quality (7303221).