The Nature and Properties of Soils

by Brady, Nyle C.; Weil, Raymond C.

• ISBN13: 9780130167637
• ISBN10: 0130167630
• Edition: 13th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

For eighty years, The Nature and Properties of Soils has delivered a complete, current, and reliable introduction to the study of soils in a manner that is both fascinating and intellectually satisfying. Whether used as the core textbook for college courses introducing the fundamentals of soil science, or as a comprehensive reference on the professional soil scientist's bookshelf, the book is widely recognized as the authoritative source for all of the latest information related to this exciting field. In this same tradition of excellence, this new Thirteenth Edition has been completely updated and expanded to provide fresh and essential new coverage of topics critically important to the future role of soils in natural resource sciences, including wetlands, septic drain fields, salt-affected soils, bioremediation, soil ecology, nutrient and irrigation management, soil hydrology, and new orders in Soil Taxonomy. More specifically, this new volume represents significant expansion to include valuable information with regard to all of the following: the pedosphere concept subaqueous soils ethnopedology x-ray diffraction non-silicate colloids inner/outer sphere complexes nuclear contamination effective CEC lead contamination acid and non-acid cation saturation human-influenced acidity calcium and magnesium in plants/soils irrigation water quality biomolecule binding soil food web ecology forest nutrient management phosphorus site index indicators of soil quality proton balance approach to soil acidity Accompanying this book-and all new to this thirteenth edition-is a companion website containing many unique and engaging opportunities for further study. The URL is http://www.prenhall.com/brady .

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
The Soils Around Us	1	(30)
Functions of Soils in Our Ecosystem	2	(1)
Medium for Plant Growth	3	(3)
Regulator of Water Supplies	6	(1)
Recycler of Raw Materials	7	(1)
Habitat for Soil Organisms	7	(1)
Engineering Medium	8	(1)
Soil as Environmental Interface	9	(1)
Soil as a Natural Body	10	(1)
The Soil Profile and Its Layers (Horizons)	11	(4)
Topsoil and Subsoil	15	(2)
Soil: The Interface of Air, Minerals, Water, and Life	17	(1)
Mineral (Inorganic) Constituents of Soils	18	(2)
Soil Organic Matter	20	(1)
Soil Water: A Dynamic Solution	21	(2)
Soil Air: A Changing Mixture of Gases	23	(1)
Interaction of Four Components to Supply Plant Nutrients	24	(2)
Nutrient uptake by Plant Roots	26	(1)
Soil Quality Degradation, and Resilience	27	(2)
Conclusion	29	(2)
Study Questions	29	(1)
References	30	(1)
Formation of Soils from Parent Materials	31	(44)
Weathering of Rocks and Minerals	31	(5)
Physical Weathering (Disintegration)	36	(1)
Biogeochemical Weathering	36	(3)
Factors Influencing Soil Formation	39	(1)
Parent Materials	40	(2)
Residual Parent Material	42	(1)
Colluvial Debris	42	(1)
Alluvial Stream Deposits	42	(3)
Marine Sediments	45	(1)
Parent Materials Transported by Glacial Ice and Meltwaters	46	(3)
Parent Materials Transported by Wind	49	(3)
Organic Deposits	52	(2)
Climate	54	(1)
Biota: Living Organisms	54	(7)
Topography	61	(1)
Time	62	(2)
Four Basic Processes of Soil Formation	64	(5)
The Soil Profile	69	(4)
Conclusion	73	(2)
Study Questions	73	(1)
References	74	(1)
Soil Classification	75	(46)
Concept of Individual Soils	76	(3)
Comprehensive Classification System: Soil Taxonomy	79	(5)
Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy	84	(2)
Soil Orders	86	(2)
Entisols (Recent: Little If Any Profile Development)	88	(4)
Inceptisols (Few Diagnostic Features: Inception of B Horizon)	92	(1)
Andisols (Volcanic Ash Soils)	93	(1)
Gelisols (Permafrost and Frost Churning)	94	(2)
Histisols (Organic Soils without Permafrost)	96	(2)
Aridisols (Dry Soils)	98	(2)
Vertisols (Dark, Swelling and Cracking Clays)	100	(3)
Mollisols (Dark, Soft Soils of Grasslands)	103	(2)
Alfisols (Argillic or Natric Horizon, Medium to High Bases)	105	(2)
Ultisols (Argillic Horizon, Low Bases)	107	(2)
Spodosols (Acid, Sandy Forest Soils, Low Bases)	109	(1)
Oxisols (Oxic Horizon, Highly Weathered)	110	(1)
Lower-Level Categories in Soil Taxonomy	111	(7)
Conclusion	118	(3)
Study Questions	119	(1)
References	119	(2)
Soil Architecture and Physical Properties	121	(55)
Soil Color	122	(1)
Soil Texture (Size Distribution of Soil Particles)	123	(4)
Soil Textural Classes	127	(6)
Structure of Mineral Soils	133	(3)
Soil Density	136	(11)
Pore Space of Mineral Soils	147	(5)
Formation and Stabilization of Soil Aggregates	152	(8)
Tillage and Structural Management of Soils	160	(5)
Soil Properties Relevant to Engineering Uses	165	(7)
Conclusion	172	(4)
Study Questions	173	(1)
References	174	(2)
Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior	176	(43)
Structure and Related Properties of Water	177	(3)
Capillary Fundamentals and Soil Water	180	(3)
Soil Water Energy Concepts	183	(4)
Soil Water Content and Soil Water Potential	187	(8)
The Flow of Liquid Water in Soil	195	(5)
Infiltration and Percolation	200	(4)
Water Vapor Movement in Soils	204	(1)
Qualitative Description of Soil Wetness	205	(5)
Factors Affecting Amount of Plant-Available Soil Water	210	(3)
Mechanisms by Which Plants Are Supplied with Water	213	(2)
Conclusion	215	(4)
Study Questions	216	(1)
References	217	(2)
Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle	219	(53)
The Global Hydrologic Cycle	220	(2)
Fate of Precipitation and Irrigation Water	222	(6)
The Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum	228	(5)
Efficiency of Water Use	233	(2)
Control of Evapotranspiration (ET)	235	(1)
Control of Surface Evaporation (E)	236	(4)
Liquid Losses of Water from the Soil	240	(3)
Percolation and Groundwaters	243	(4)
Enhancing Soil Drainage	247	(11)
Septic Tank Drain Fields	258	(3)
Irrigation Principles and Practices	261	(8)
Conclusion	269	(3)
Study Questions	270	(1)
References	271	(1)
Soil Aeration and Temperature	272	(44)
Soil Aeration-The Process	273	(1)
Means of Characterizing Soil Aeration	274	(3)
Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Potential	277	(3)
Factors Affecting Soil Aeration	280	(3)
Ecological Effects of Soil Aeration	283	(3)
Aeration in Relation to Soil and Plant Management	286	(1)
Wetlands and Their Poorly Aerated Soils	287	(7)
Processes Affected by Soil Temperature	294	(7)
Absorption and Loss of Solar Energy	301	(4)
Thermal Properties of Soils	305	(4)
Soil Temperature Control	309	(4)
Conclusion	313	(3)
Study Questions	313	(1)
References	314	(2)
Soil Colloids: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity	316	(47)
General Properties and Types of Soil Colloids	317	(4)
Fundamentals of Layer Silicate Clay Structure	321	(3)
Mineralogical Organization of Silicate Clays	324	(5)
Structural Characteristics of Nonsilicate Colloids	329	(4)
Genesis and Geographic Distribution of Soil Colloids	333	(3)
Sources of Charges on Soil Colloids	336	(3)
Adsorption of Cations and Anions	339	(2)
Cation Exchange Reactions	341	(4)
Cation Exchange Capacity	345	(4)
Exchangeable Cations in Field Soil	349	(3)
Anion Exchange	352	(2)
Sorption of Pesticides and Groundwater Contamination	354	(1)
Binding of Biomolecules to Clay and Humus	355	(2)
Physical Implications of Swelling-Type Clays	357	(1)
Environmental Uses of Swelling-Type Clays	358	(1)
Conclusion	359	(4)
Study Questions	360	(1)
References	361	(2)
Soil Acidity	363	(49)
The Process of Soil Acidification	364	(5)
Role of Aluminum in Soil Acidity	369	(1)
Pools of Soil Acidity	369	(5)
Buffering of pH in Soils	374	(3)
Determination of Soil pH	377	(3)
Human-Influenced Soil Acidification	380	(7)
Biological Effects of Soil pH	387	(7)
Raising Soil pH by Liming	394	(6)
Alternative Ways to Ameliorate the III Effects of Soil Acidity	400	(3)
Lowering Soil pH	403	(1)
Calcium and Magnesium as Plant Nutrients	404	(4)
Conclusion	408	(4)
Study Questions	409	(1)
References	410	(2)
Soils of Dry Regions: Alkalinity, Salinity, and Sodicity	412	(37)
Causes of Alkalinity: High Soil pH	413	(2)
Characteristics and Problems of Alkaline Soils	415	(4)
Development of Salt-Affected Soils	419	(3)
Measuring Salinity and Sodicity	422	(4)
Classes of Salt Affected Soils	426	(4)
Growth of Plants on Salt-Affected Soils	430	(4)
Water-Quality Considerations for Irrigation	434	(2)
Reclamation of Saline Soils	436	(5)
Reclamation of Saline-Sodic and Sodic Soils	441	(4)
Management of Reclaimed Soils	445	(1)
Conclusion	445	(4)
Study Questions	446	(1)
References	447	(2)
Organisms and Ecology of the Soil	449	(49)
The Diversity of Organisms in the Soil	450	(2)
Organisms in Action	452	(5)
Organism Abundance, Biomass, and Metabolic Activity	457	(2)
Earthworms	459	(4)
Ants and Termites	463	(3)
Soil Microanimals	466	(4)
Roots of Higher Plants	470	(3)
Soil Algae	473	(1)
Soil Fungi	473	(8)
Soil Bacteria	481	(1)
Soil Actinomycetes	482	(1)
Conditions Affecting the Growth of Soil Microorganisms	483	(1)
Beneficial Effects of Soil Organisms	484	(3)
Soil Organisms and Damage to Higher Plants	487	(3)
Ecological Relationships Among Soil Organisms	490	(3)
Genetically Engineered Microorganisms	493	(2)
Conclusion	495	(3)
Study Questions	495	(1)
References	495	(3)
Soil Organic Matter	498	(45)
The Global Carbon Cycle	498	(3)
The Process of Decomposition in Soils	501	(4)
Factors Controlling Rates of Decomposition and Mineralization	505	(7)
Humus: Genesis and Nature	512	(3)
Composts and Composting	515	(3)
Direct Influences of Organic Matter on Plant Growth	518	(1)
Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Properties and the Environment	519	(2)
Management of Amount and Quality of Soil Organic Matter	521	(3)
Carbon Balance in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System	524	(2)
Factors and Practices Influencing Soil Organic Matter Levels	526	(7)
Soils and the Greenhouse Effect	533	(4)
Organic Soils (Histosols)	537	(2)
Conclusion	539	(4)
Study Questions	540	(1)
References	541	(2)
Nitrogen and Sulfur Economy of Soils	543	(49)
Influence of Nitrogen on Plant Growth and Development	544	(2)
Origin and Distribution of Nitrogen	546	(1)
The Nitrogen Cycle	546	(1)
Immobilization and Mineralization	546	(3)
Soluble Organic Nitrogen	549	(1)
Ammonium Fixation by Clay Minerals	550	(1)
Ammonia Volatilization	551	(1)
Nitrification	552	(1)
The Nitrate Leaching Problem	553	(6)
Gaseous Losses by Denitrification	559	(5)
Biological Nitrogen Fixation	564	(2)
Symbiotic Fixation with Legumes	566	(4)
Symbiotic Fixation with Nonlegumes	570	(2)
Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation	572	(1)
Addition of Nitrogen to Soil in Precipitation	572	(1)
Reactions of Nitrogen Fertilizers	573	(1)
Practical Management of Soil Nitrogen in Agriculture	574	(1)
Importance of Sulfur	575	(3)
Natural Sources of Sulfur	578	(3)
The Sulfur Cycle	581	(2)
Behavior of Sulfur Compounds in Soils	583	(1)
Sulfur Oxidation and Reduction	584	(2)
Sulfur Retention and Exchange	586	(1)
Sulfur and Soil Fertility Maintenance	587	(2)
Conclusion	589	(3)
Study Questions	589	(1)
References	590	(2)
Soil Phosphorus and Potassium	592	(46)
Role of Phosphorus in Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility	593	(2)
Effects of Phosphorus on Environmental Quality	595	(6)
The Phosphorus Cycle	601	(3)
Organic Phosphorus in Soils	604	(2)
Inorganic Phosphorus in Soils	606	(3)
Solubility of Inorganic Phosphorus in Acid Soils	609	(3)
Inorganic Phosphorus Availability at High pH Values	612	(1)
Phosphorus-Fixation Capacity of Soils	613	(5)
Plant Genetics and Phosphorus Availability	618	(1)
Practical Control of Phosphorus in Soils	619	(2)
Potassium: Nature and Ecological Roles	621	(1)
Potassium in Plant and Animal Nutrition	622	(1)
The Potassium Cycle	623	(4)
The Potassium Problem in Soil Fertility	627	(2)
Forms and Availability of Potassium in Soils	629	(2)
Factors Affecting Potassium Fixation in Soils	631	(2)
Practical Aspects of Potassium Management	633	(1)
Conclusion	634	(4)
Study Questions	635	(1)
References	635	(3)
Micronutrients and Other Trace Elements	638	(31)
Deficiency Versus Toxicity	639	(1)
Role of the Micronutrients	640	(2)
Source of Micronutrients	642	(2)
General Conditions Conducive to Trace Element Deficiency/Toxicity	644	(2)
Factors Influencing the Availability of the Trace Element Cations	646	(5)
Organic Compounds as Chelates	651	(3)
Factors Influencing the Availability of the Trace Element Anions	654	(6)
Need for Nutrient Balance	660	(2)
Trace Element Cleanup and Metal Hyperaccumulators	662	(1)
Soil Management and Micronutrient Needs	662	(4)
Conclusion	666	(3)
Study Questions	667	(1)
References	667	(2)
Practical Nutrient Management	669	(71)
Goals of Nutrient Management	670	(3)
Environmental Quality	673	(11)
Nutrient Resources and Cycles	684	(6)
Recycling Nutrients through Animal Manures	690	(6)
Industrial and Municipal By-Products	696	(5)
Practical Utilization of Organic Nutrient Sources	701	(2)
Inorganic Commercial Fertilizers	703	(7)
Fertilizer Application Methods	710	(5)
Timing of Fertilizer Application	715	(1)
Diagnostic Tools and Methods	716	(4)
Soil Analysis	720	(5)
Site-Specific Nutrient Management	725	(2)
Site-Index Approach to Phosphorus Management	727	(6)
Broader Aspects of Fertilizer Practice	733	(3)
Conclusion	736	(4)
Study Questions	736	(1)
References	737	(3)
Soil Erosion and Its Control	740	(56)
Significance of Soil Erosion and Land Degradation	741	(4)
On-Site and Off-Site Effects of Accelerated Soil Erosion	745	(5)
Mechanics of Water Erosion	750	(3)
Models to Predict the Extent of Water-Induced Erosion	753	(1)
Factors Affecting Interrill and Rill Erosion	754	(9)
Conservation Tillage	763	(5)
Vegetative Barriers	768	(2)
Control of Gully Erosion and Mass Wasting	770	(2)
Control of Accelerated Erosion on Range and Forest Land	772	(3)
Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites	775	(4)
Wind Erosion: Importance and Factors Affecting It	779	(4)
Predicting and Controlling Wind Erosion	783	(4)
Land Capability Classification as a Guide to Conservation	787	(2)
Progress in Soil Conservation	789	(3)
Real Value of Soil Conservation	792	(1)
Conclusion	793	(3)
Study Questions	793	(1)
References	794	(2)
Soils and Chemical Pollution	796	(44)
Toxic Organic Chemicals	797	(3)
Kinds of Organic Contaminants	800	(1)
Behavior of Organic Chemicals in Soil	801	(7)
Effects of Pesticides on Soil Organisms	808	(2)
Remediation of Soils Contaminated with Organic Chemicals	810	(8)
Contamination with Toxic Inorganic Substances	818	(3)
Potential Hazards of Chemicals in Sewage Sludge	821	(2)
Reactions of Inorganic Contaminants in Soils	823	(2)
Prevention and Elimination of Inorganic Chemical Contamination	825	(2)
Landfills	827	(5)
Radionuclides in Soil	832	(2)
Radon Gas from Soils	834	(3)
Conclusion	837	(3)
Study Questions	837	(1)
References	837	(3)
Geographic Soils Information	840	(31)
Soil Spatial Variability in the Field	840	(5)
Techniques and Tools for Mapping Soils	845	(4)
Modern Technology for Soil Investigations	849	(1)
Remote Sensing Tools for Soils Investigations	850	(2)
Air Photos	852	(4)
Satellite Imagery	856	(3)
Soil Surveys	859	(2)
The County Soil Survey Report and Its Utilization	861	(2)
Geographic Information Systems	863	(3)
GIS, GPS, and Site-Specific Agriculture	866	(3)
Conclusion	869	(2)
Study Questions	869	(1)
References	869	(2)
Global Soil Quality as Affected by Human Activities	871	(32)
The Concept of Soil Quality/Soil Health	872	(4)
Soil Resistance and Resilience	876	(1)
Sustaining Biological Productivity	877	(1)
The Population Explosion	878	(1)
Intensified Agroecosystems-The Green Revolution	879	(1)
Effects of Intensified Agroecosystems on Soil Quality or Health	880	(4)
Forced Production Intensification	884	(3)
Prospects for the Future	887	(3)
Modified Intensive Agroecosystems	890	(3)
Improving Low Yielding Agricultural Systems	893	(1)
Improving Soil Quality in sub-Saharan Africa	893	(6)
Improving Soil Quality in Asia and Latin America	899	(1)
Conclusion	900	(3)
Study Questions	900	(1)
References	901	(2)
Appendix A Canadian and FAO Soil Classification Systems	903	(4)
Appendix B SI Units, Conversion Factors, and Periodic Table of the Elements	907	(4)
Glossary	911	(26)
Index	937

Excerpts

Soil is one of our most important natural resources. It is at the heart of terrestrial ecology, and an understanding of the soil system is key to the success and environmental harmony of any human use of the land. This book is designed to help make your study of soils a fascinating and intellectually satisfying undertaking. We are confident that much of what you learn will be of enormous practical value in equipping you to meet the many natural-resource challenges of the 21st century. You will soon find that the soil provides many opportunities to see practical applications for principles from the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics. Our priority in this newest edition ofThe Nature and Properties of Soilsis to explain the fundamental principles of soil science in a manner that you will find relevant to your interests. Throughout, the text emphasizes the soil as a natural resource and highlights the many interactions between the soil and other components of forest, range, agricultural, wetland, and constructed ecosystems. We have sought to craft a book that will serve your needs well, whether you expect this to be your only formal exposure to soil science or you are embarking on a comprehensive soil science education. This new book is meant to provide both an exciting, accessible introduction to the fascinating world of soil science and a reliable, comprehensive reference for your professional bookshelf. Readers who have used earlier editions will notice that in order to serve these two functions, the number of pages in the book has increased with the last few editions. Most of this increase (nearly 80%) is attributable to the new photographs, diagrams, and special "boxes" that have made the text so much more engaging to use. About 20% of the increased length has been in the form of additional text, mainly devoted to expanded coverage of topics critically important to the future role of soils in natural-resource sciences, such as wetlands, septic drain fields, salt-affected soils, bioremediation, soil ecology, nutrient and irrigation management, soil hydrology, and new orders inSoil Taxonomy.In a few areas, we have had to reduce the detail to make room for new topics and information. In doing so we have carefully maintained the level of rigor and thoroughness so valued in previous editions. This edition includes new sections on the pedosphere concept, subaqueous soils, ethnopedology, x-ray diffraction, nonsilicate colloids, inner- and outer-sphere complexes, nuclear contamination, effective CEC, the proton-balance approach to soil acidity, acid and nonacid cation saturation, human-influenced acidity, Ca and Mg in plants and soils, irrigation water quality, biomolecule binding, soil food-web ecology, forest nutrient management, the phosphorus site index, lead contamination, indicators of soil quality, and many other topics of current interest in soil science. In response to their popularity in the previous two editions, we have also added many new boxes that present either fascinating examples and applications or technical details and calculations. These boxes bothhighlightmaterial of special interest and allow the logical thread of the regular text to flow smoothly without digression or interruption. Examples include the stories of hypoxia or oxygen depletion in nutrient-laden water bodies and of the amelioration of selenium pollution in wetlands. In addition to updating many references, we have added a new feature to this edition, a set of World Wide Web universal resource locators (URLs) set in the margins of the relevant chapter sections. These Web sites, developed by colleagues and organizations around the world, expand and elaborate on certain topics in ways that would not be possible in a printed book. We could not have done all this without the many valuable suggestions, ideas, and corrections sent to us by soil scientists, instructors, and student