| Module Identifier |
BSM2010 |
| Module Title |
SOIL PHYSICS AND SITE ASSESSMENT |
| Academic Year |
2002/2003 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr John Scullion |
| Semester |
Semester 1 |
| Other staff |
William A Adams |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 16 Hours 16 x 1 hour lectures |
| |
Practical | 12 Hours 4 x 3 hours |
| Assessment |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours examination | 70% |
| |
Semester Assessment | pracxtical Practical Exercise: | 30% |
Learning outcomes
Students completing the module should i) understand basic concepts of soil physics as they relate to water relations,
mechanical properties and temperature, ii) be familiar with related management techniques, iii) be capable of applying
systems for soil and land evaluation.
Aims
To familiarise students with principles of soil physics and the management of soil physical properties.
To introduce procedures for land and soil evaluation.
Content
The course covers soil constituents and their effect on physical properties. Topics include particle size distribution,
variations in soil texture-structure as it influences aeration/water supply; the development and degradation of structure
in soils. Hydraulic conductivity and moisture potentials, temperature and heat fluxes in soils. Soil management practices
described include field drainage, irrigation, cultivation, soil handling properties and soil compaction/degradation/
stability.
The course finishes with a consideration of land and soil classification systems in the contect of mineral planning development.
Fieldwork and CAL sessions will provide experience of land and soil evaluation procedure. Laboratory practicals will
introduce problems of sample analysis and data handling.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Avery, B.W..
Soil survey methods : a review/technical monographs. Soil Survey and Land Research Centre : 18
Cairney, T.. (1995)
The re-use of contaiminated land. Wiley & Sons, Chichester
Marshall, T.J., Holmes, J.W. & Rose, C.W..
Soil Physics. Third. Cambridge University Press