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ELEMENTS OF GEOPEDOLOGY

CODE 95290
ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022
CREDITS
  • 2 cfu during the 2nd year of 9916 SCIENZE AMBIENTALI E NATURALI (L-32) - GENOVA
  • 2 cfu during the 2nd year of 10589 CONSERVAZIONE E GESTIONE DELLA NATURA(LM-60) - GENOVA
  • SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR GEO/04
    TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
  • SEMESTER 1° Semester
    TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

    OVERVIEW

    Pedology studies the soil characteristics,classification and formation processes.The soil is the system that sustains our life, as well as an essential element of the landscape.The course provides the investigation tools for the interpretation of the soil also as source of information to document and reconstruct the climatic variations during Quaternary.

    AIMS AND CONTENT

    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The course aims to provide the basic knowledge to understand the soil formation processes through the examination of its composition, organization and characteristics, in order to describe and interpret the soils correctly.

    AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

    Attendance and participation in the planned educational activities (lectures and laboratory activities) will allow the student to acquire the necessary knowledge to deal with pedological survey and classify a soil.

    Specifically, the student will be able to:

    1.      know the descriptive techniques of a soil profile
    2.      interpret the main horizons physico-chemical properties and deduce the formation processes
    3.      know how to distinguish the main soil groups
    4.      learn about the main applications of pedology

    PREREQUISITES

    The student must not have acquired specific preliminary knowledge. Attendance at "Mineralogy" and "Geomorphology" courses is recommended

    TEACHING METHODS

    The course is articulated in lectures conducted by the teacher. During the first semester, the lessons will be possibly held "face to face", while still ensuring the use of lessons even at a distance, by video recording, synchronous or asynchronous. All face-to-face activities will be carried out in compliance with the limits of capacity of the classrooms / laboratories and of the distance, foreseen by the current legislation following the emergency COVID19. Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for any updates due to changes in the health situation and Epidemiological.

    SYLLABUS/CONTENT

    The soil as an interface between the biosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere

    • Definitions of soil.
    • Soil constituents: minerals and organic; water in the soil.

    The pedological profile

    • The soil profile and its differentiation in horizons.
    • Organic horizons and mineral horizons: characteristics and nomenclature.
    • Profile description on the field.

    Pedogenesis: processes and factors

    • Physical and chemical weathering of the rocks.
    • General processes of soil evolution.
    • The fundamental processes of pedogenesis.
    • The factors of soil evolution.

    Soil classification and mapping

     

    RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

    ll slides used during the lessons and other educational material will be available on aul @ web. In general, the notes taken
    during the lessons and the material on aul @ web are sufficient for the preparation of the exam.
    The books below are suggested as supporting texts.

    Introduction to the topic:

    • Cremaschi M. (2000). Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari. [capitolo “Pedologia”]

    Italian texts:

    • Certini C. e Ugolini F.C. (2010). Basi di Pedologia. Edagricole, Milano (consigliato)
    • Giordano A. (1999). Pedologia. UTET, Torino.
    • McRae S.G. (1991). Pedologia Pratica. Zanichelli, Bologna

    TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

    Exam Board

    IVANO RELLINI (President)

    MARCO FERRARI (President Substitute)

    LESSONS

    LESSONS START

    29 september 2021

    EXAMS

    EXAM DESCRIPTION

    The exam consists of an oral test with questions asked by the teacher on topics covered during the course. Please refer to the specific AulaWeb application for any updates due to changes in the health situation and Epidemiological.

    ASSESSMENT METHODS

    The oral test will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge, the ability to link different topics. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.

    Exam schedule

    Date Time Location Type Notes
    20/01/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    20/01/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale
    10/02/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    10/02/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale
    16/06/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    16/06/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale
    05/07/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    05/07/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale
    21/07/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    21/07/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale
    08/09/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale Portare la scheda riordinata del profilo di suolo dell'escursione
    08/09/2022 10:00 GENOVA Orale

    FURTHER INFORMATION

    Regular attendance at lectures a is strongly recommended.