A guide to soil analysis for chemists and environmental scientists Soil-so essential to life on earth-is one of the most complicated of materials. A complex mixture of inorganic and organic solids, liquids, and gases, soil presents a challenging material for analysis, especially for researchers who are not specialists in soil chemistry. This clear, broadly applicable reference provides chemists and environmental scientists with the background they need to analyze soil, interpret their findings, and develop new analytical methods for soil. Introduction to Soil Chemistry will also be valuable to the soil scientist confronting soil analyses that appear to be incorrect or do not work. Introduction to Soil Chemistry: Analysis and Instrumentation investigates the most important soil characteristics that impact analysis and the procedures, chemicals, and equipment used to determine the composition and quantity of soil constituents. It also discusses factors that interfere with accurate soil analysis. Chapters examine such topics as: * Large features-horizons, peds, soil color, and soil naming * Microscopic to atomic orbital description of soil chemical characteristics * Soil components in combination * The biological and organic components in soil * The soil solution and soil air * Electrical measurements, titration, and extraction * Spectroscopy and chromatography * Speciation This book is enhanced by numerous examples within the text, which provide the reader with a practical understanding of various analytical procedures, along with the pitfalls and interferences that may be encountered. Bibliographies and additional resources appear at the end of each chapter.

As the author states in his Preface, this book is written at a time when scientific and lay communities recognize that knowledge of environmental chemistry is fundamental in understanding and predicting the fate of pollutants in soils and waters, and in making sound decisions about remediation of contaminated soils. Environmental Soil Chemistry presents the fundamental concepts of soil science and applies them to environmentally significant reactions in soil. Clearly and concisely written for undergraduate and beginning graduate students of soil science, the book is likewise accessible to all students and professionals of environmental engineering and science. Chapters cover background information useful to students new to the discipline, including the chemistry of inorganic and organic soil components, soilacidity and salinity, and ion exchange and redox phenomena. However, discussion also extends to sorption/desorption, oxidation-reduction of metals and organic chemicals, rates of pollutant reactions as well as technologies for remediating contaminated soils. Supplementary reading lists, sample problems, and extensive tables and figures make this textbook accessible to readers. - Provides students with both sound contemporary training in the basics of soil chemistry and applications to real-world environmental concerns - Timely and comprehensive discussion of important concepts including: Sorption/desorption, Oxidation-reduction of metals and organics, Effects of acidic deposition and salinity on contaminant reactions - Boxed sections focus on sample problems and explanations of key terms and parameters - Extensive tables on elemental composition of soils, rocks and sediments, pesticide classes, inorganic minerals, and methods of decontaminating soils - Clearly written for all students and professionals in environmental science and environmental engineering as well as soil science

Soil is key to sustaining life—affecting air and water quality, the growth of plants and crops, and the health of the entire planet. Soil Chemistry 4e provides comprehensive coverage of the chemical interactions among organic and inorganic solids, air, water, microorganisms, and the plant roots in soil. The fourth edition of Soil Chemistry has been revised and updated throughout and provides a basic description of important research and fundamental knowledge in the field. The text covers chemical processes that occur in soils, including: distribution and species of nutrients and contaminants in soils; aqueous chemistry of soil solutions and mineral dissolution; oxidation and reduction reactions in soils; soil mineral formation processes and properties; the formation and reactivity of soil organic matter; surface chemistry and cation, anion, and organic compound adsorption reactions; modelling soil chemical reactions; and reactions in acid and salt affected soils. Although extensively revised with updated figures and tables, the fourth edition maintains the focus on introductory soil chemistry that has distinguished earlier editions. New chapters on properties of elements relevant to soil chemistry, and a chapter with special focus on soil surface characteristics have been added. Special Topics boxes are also included in the Fourth Edition that includes examples, noteworthy topics, and case studies. End of chapter questions are included as a resource for teaching.

Provides comprehensive coverage of the chemical interactions among organic and inorganic solids, air, water, microorganisms, and the plant roots in soil This book focuses on the species and reaction processes of chemicals in soils, with applications to environmental and agricultural issues. Topics range from discussion of fundamental chemical processes to review of properties and reactions of chemicals in the environment. This new edition contains more examples, more illustrations, more details of calculations, and reorganized material within the chapters, including nearly 100 new equations and 51 new figures. Each section also ends with an important concepts overview as well as new questions for readers to answer. Starting with an introduction to the subject, Soil Chemistry, 5th Edition offers in-depth coverage of properties of elements and molecules; characteristics of chemicals in soils; soil water chemistry; redox reactions in soils; mineralogy and weathering processes in soils; and chemistry of soil clays. The book also provides chapters that examine production and chemistry of soil organic matter; surface properties of soil colloids; adsorption processes in soils; measuring and predicting sorption processes in soils; soil acidity; and salt-affected soils. Provides a basic description of important research and fundamental knowledge in the field of soil chemistry Contains more than 200 references provided in figure and table captions and at the end of the chapters Extensively revised with updated figures and tables Soil Chemistry, 5th Edition is an excellent text for senior-level soil chemistry students.

The central role of soil chemistry in the ecosystem and other disciplines is becoming increasingly important. For example the effects of the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and accelerated use of pesticides, on soil fertility has been a focus of much high-level debate. This text begins by defining the relationship between soil chemistry and other fields such as plant science and pollution science. A detailed description of the components of soils follows, including inorganic, mineral and organic matter. The book addresses cogent issues such as soil fertility and soil pollution. In a concluding chapter, a review of future analytic advances in the study of soil chemistry is given, emphasising the importance of the soil chemist in equitable and sustainable land use and agricultural policy. The book is an ideal starting point for the student undertaking undergraduate study in the environmental and soil sciences.

Environmental Chemistry of Soils provides an understanding of soil chemical properties and processes at a fundamental scientific level.