ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 68 Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 12 Interactive Classroom: 16 Total: 100
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Areas: Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: Sin docencia (Extinguida)
Enrolment: No Matriculable | 1st year (Yes)
Study and knowledge of this subject is central in the curriculum of an Environmental Scientist because it provides the basic knowledge which allows the implementation of different technologies to soil management and treatment and, especially, to developing protection, reclamation and decontamination procedures for contaminated/degraded soils. The general objective of the subject is that students acquire skills to understand the role of soil in environmental quality and interpret the soil information necessary for soil ma management.
Specifically, it is intended that students understand: i) soil functions, as well as soil classification/evaluation, ii) global soil threats and its influence on environmental quality and food safety and iii) soil properties/processes/dynamics and their relationship with natural environment. This subject links with “Soil Pollution and Degradation" and "Soil and Residue Laboratory" subjects of the "Soil Recovery and Waste Management" module. The subject approach is eminently practical, without forgetting the theoretical basis that is necessary for designing specific solutions to each type of problem and environment.
The contents developed in the course are contemplated succinctly in the descriptor of the subject matter included in the master's degree in Environmental Engineering:
"Geochemical cycles. Soil factors, components and processes. Soil Classification and evaluation. Soil functions and threats. Productive and environmental planning of soil resources. Soil as a carbon sink "
These contents will be developed along the following topics in which the program has been divided:
I. THE NATURE OF THE SOIL
1. Concept of soil. The soil as a system. Productive and environmental functions of the soil. Soil and plant nutrition. The soil as a regulator of surface biogeochemical cycles. The soil as a pollution buffer. Soil as a carbon sink. Threats. The European Soil Protection Strategy.
2. Soil organisation. From the pedosphere to the microstructure Pedion, profile and horizons. Nomenclature of soil horizons
II. SOIL COMPONENTS.
1. The mineral fraction: origin, composition, properties. Crystalline and non-crystalline components of the fine mineral fraction. Study methods.
2. The organic fraction: origin, composition, properties. Transformations of organic matter, mineralization and humification. Stabilization processes of organic matter in the soil. Functions of the organic matter in the soil. Organo-mineral complexes. Study methods.
3. The fluid phases. Soil water. The soil atmosphere.
4. Soil biota
III. SOIL PROPERTIES
1. Physical properties. Colour. Texture. Structure. Real and apparent density. Porosity. Permeability. Temperature.
2. Physical-chemical properties. Fundamentals of soil reactivity. Dissolution-precipitation reactions Surface interactions: ion exchange and ion retention Acid-base reactions: pH and acidity of the soil Natural and induced acidity. Soil buffering capacity. Oxidation-reduction processes. Concept of Eh. Eh-pH diagrams. Salinity and alkalinity.
SOIL FORMATION: FACTORS AND PROCESSES
1. Soil formation factors. Influence of environmental factors on formation and soil characteristics: parent material, climate, relief, organisms and time. Human influence.
2. Pedogenesis processes. Weathering, embrowning and reddening. Decomposition of organic matter: humification and mineralization. Reductive conditions and alternating oxidation-reduction conditions. Maturation. Pedoturbation. Eluviation and illuviation of clay. Podzolization. Secondary accumulation of silica, gypsum and calcium carbonate Salinization and sodicity. Formation of dense and cemented horizons.
V. CLASSIFICATION, TYPOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF SOILS
1. The classification of soils. Principles and problems. Historical evolution of soil classification. Types of soil classifications.
2. Modern classifications. World Reference Base of the Soil Resource (FAO, IUSS, ISRIC). Soil Taxonomy (USDA).
3. The Soil Resource World Reference Base. Structure and rules of use. Horizons, properties and diagnostic materials. Reference groups and second level units.
4. Reference groups of the World Soil Resource Database. Description, distribution, management and use.
Basic bibliography
- DRIESSEN PM, DECKERS, JA. SPAARGAREN, OC AND NACHTERGAELE FO (Eds.). 2001. Lecture Notes on the Major Soils of the World. World Soil Resources Reports 94. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Reference ETSE: Not available. Can be downloaded at:
http://www.isric.org/Isric/Webdocs/Docs/Major_Soils_of_the_World/start… ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/wsrr94e.pdf
- IUSS Working Group WRB. 2015. World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015 International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. FAO, Rome. http://www.fao.org/3/i3794en/I3794en.pdf
Reference ETSE: Not available. Can be downloaded at:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/a0510s/a0510s00.HTM
• PORTA, J., LÓPEZ-ACEVEDO, M., POCH, R.M. 2008. Introducción a la Edafología. Uso y protección del suelo. Mundi-Prensa.
Reference ETSE: Not available at ETSE. ATS82, ATS13, ATS82A (Biology), TS449, ATS13A (Pharmacy)
Complementary bibliography
• EUROPEAN SOIL BUREAU NEWORK. 2005. Soil Atlas of Europe. European Comission, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Louxemburg.
Reference ETSE: Not available. Can be downloaded at:
http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/projects/soil_atlas/Download.cfm
• FAO. 2009. Guidelines for soil description. 4th edición. FAO, Roma, 2006. ISBN: without ISBN
Reference ETSE: Not available. Can be downloaded at:
http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0541e.pdf
• MACÍAS, F. & CALVO, R. 2001. Atlas de Galicia. Solos. Consellería de Presidencia, Xunta de Galicia.
• Porta Casanellas, J. López Acevedo, M. Agenda de campo de suelos: información de suelos para la agricultura y el medio ambiente. Mundi Prensa, 2005. ISBN: 84- 8476- 231- 9
Reference ETSE: A230 5, 5A, 5B
• Soil Survey Staff. 2014. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 12th ed. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC. USDA-NCRS, 2014. ISBN: without ISBN.
Reference ETSE: Not available. Can be downloaded at:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/class/tax…
WEB SITES
• FAO: http://www.fao.org
• ISRIC (International Soil Reference and Information Centre), Wageningen, The Netherlands: http://www.isric.org
• Sociedad Española de la Ciencia del Suelo: http://www.secs.com.es/
Student will acquire a set of generic skills which are desirable for an environmental scientist with soil knowledge to solving environmental problems.
Within the skills framework that was designed for the degree, in this subject we will perform more specifically the following:
Basic and General
• CB6 - To acquire and understand knowledge that contribute to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a context of research.
• CB7 - That the students can apply the acquired knowledge and capacity of resolution of problems in environments new or little known inside more wide contexts (or multidisciplinary) related to the area of study
• CB8 - That the students are capable of integrating knowledge and to face the complexity of formulating judgments from an information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social responsibilities and ethics linked to the application of those knowledge and judgments.
• CB9 - That the students will be able to communicate their conclusions and knowledge to public specialized and not specialized in a clear way and without ambiguities
• CB10 - That the students acquire the skills of learning that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be to a great extent self-guided or autonomous.
• G01 - To identify and to enunciate environmental problems
Specific
• E14 – To understand their technologies, tools and techniques in the field of environmental engineering
• E23 – To design and calculate solutions of engineering to environmental problems
• E32 – To compare and select technical alternatives
• E33 – To identify emerging technologies
• E46 – To solve problems efficiently
Virtual Campus
In the three scenarios, the Virtual Campus of the USC will be used, through the Moodle application, as a communication tool with the students, offering them information about the teaching program throughout the course in the classroom and complementary materials for the study of the subject, encouraging the autonomous study of the student and the management of bibliographic sources in English. Also, the delivery of tasks performed by students, will be made using the Moodle platform.
At the beginning of the course, students will be provided with the following material in the virtual campus of the subject
TEACHING GUIDE: the approved teaching guide for the subject.
DETAILED PLANNING: a guide with the planning of activities
PRESENTATIONS: the presentations used by the teachers in the exhibition classes.
PRACTICAL CASES: material for the interpretation and classification of soils to be discussed in the seminars.
COMPLEMENTARY MATERIALS: videos, texts, scientific articles, links to websites with interesting contents, bulletins of questions, etc.
Scenario 1 (no restrictions on physical attendance)
Presential teaching (32 h)
- Expository and interactive classes: The classes will be carried out combining both the master class (exposition and discussion of topics) and in the form of seminars (carrying out of exercises) where the teacher will try to emphasize the most outstanding aspects of the program. It is important that students work on the material they have been given in order to promote teacher-student interaction. The assimilation of contents by students will be verified by means of questionnaires that will be given through the Virtual Classroom (the answers to the questionnaires will be part of the continuous evaluation).
- Field practice: if possible, a field practice will be carried out oriented to the interpretation of the formation factors, morphology, properties and processes of pedogenesis of different types of soils in Galicia.
Group Tutorship
A group tutoring session will be held to solve problems and doubts of the students.
Individual Tutorials
Individualized tutorials: these will be carried out in the teacher's office and/or through the MS Teams platform.
Scenario 2 (partial restrictions on physical attendance)
Presential and/or telematic teaching (32 h)
- Expository and interactive classes: if the number of students enrolled in the subject and the classrooms available allow it, the classes will be face-to-face. If this is not possible, the students will be divided into two groups that will alternate in attendance so that when one group is in class the other will follow through by video conference.
- Field practice: if possible, a field practice will be carried out oriented to the interpretation of formation factors, morphology, properties and processes of pedogenesis of different types of soils
Group Tutorship
A group tutoring will be carried out oriented to the resolution of problems and doubts of the students in presential way or through the MS Teams platform.
Individualized tutoring
Will be done through the MS Teams platform.
Scenario 3 (closure of the facilities)
Telematic teaching (32 h)
- Expository and interactive classes: Teams sessions will be used through which the approved calendar will be followed and where the daily contact with the students will always be promoted combining the different resources (explanations of the teaching staff, visualization of videos, discussion sessions, web resources...)
- Field practice: if possible, teachers will guide students in a virtual tour oriented to the interpretation of formation factors, morphology, properties and processes of pedogenesis of different types of soils in Galicia.
Group Tutorship: A group tutorship will be carried out oriented to the resolution of problems and doubts of the students through the MS Teams platform.
Individualized tutoring: will be done through the MS Teams platform.
Continuous Evaluation (CE)
The Master in Environmental Engineering establishes that the minimum weighting of the EC is 50%, with the remaining 50% corresponding to a final test.
In this subject, this weighting will be used for the EC (50%).
Scenario 1 (no restrictions on physical attendance)
The rating will be the weighted average of the performance in the parts where the performance is evaluated: continuous assessment questionnaires, teamwork and examination.
Continuous Assessment Activities
The Continuous Evaluation includes the monitoring of the following activities:
- Follow-up questionnaires: Short questionnaires to be carried out throughout the course on an individual basis. Weighting: 25%. Telematic mode.
- Teamwork: Students will have to carry out teamwork oriented to the application of the knowledge acquired throughout the course. It will consist of the interpretation, evaluation and classification of soils. Weighting: 25%. Telematic mode
Final exam (presential)
- 50% weighting. In order to pass the course, students must obtain a minimum score of 4 (out of 10) in the final exam.
The consideration of "not presented" will be given if no evaluation activity is attended. If the minimum mark is not reached in the final exam, the final mark will be that of the exam.
Those who have to go to the second opportunity will keep the grades obtained by the continuous assessment. If the teamwork has not been carried out, the examination will include a practical section.
Grade distribution Method
Continuous evaluation 50%
- Continuous Evaluation 25% Telematic, asynchronous
- Teamwork 25% Telematic, asynchronous
Final exam 50% Presential
Scenario 2 (partial restrictions on physical attendance)
In this scenario we would try to take the final exam in person. In this way the evaluation would be carried out in the same way as in scenario 1.
Grade distribution Method
Continuous evaluation 50%
- Continuous Evaluation 25% Telematic, asynchronous
- Teamwork 25% Telematic, asynchronous
Final exam 50% Presential
Scenario 3 (facility closure)
In this scenario the entire evaluation would be telematic.
Grade distribution Method
Continuous evaluation 50%
- Continuous Evaluation 25% Telematic, asynchronous
- Teamwork 25% Telematic, asynchronous
Final exam 50% Telematic, synchronous
Competence evaluation
Competence evaluation
G01 CB6 CB7 CB8 CB9 CB10 E14 E23 E32 E33 E46
Lectures
X X X X X X X
Seminars (discussion and problem solving)
X X X X X
Group tutoring and teamwork
X X X X X
Questionnaires and exams
X X X X X X X
"In the case of fraudulent exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the Evaluation of Students' Academic Performance and the Revision of Grades shall apply".
The subject has a workload equivalent to 4 ECTS which are distributed as shown in the table. The attendance hours indicate the number of hours of classes of the subject, through the different activities that are carried out, the factor indicates the estimation of hours that the student has to dedicate per hour of activity, being the hours of autonomous work a computation of the product of the factor by the activities and total the workload that each activity implies.
Distribution of the training activity in ECTS
Activity Presential
(hours) Factor Work load (students)
(hours) ECTS
Lectures 16,0 2,0 32,0 1,9
Seminars 14,0 2,2 31,0 1,8
Group tutoring 2,0 1,0 2,0 0,2
Total 32,0 65,0 4,0
It is recommended that students have basic knowledge in general chemistry, biology and geology and/or biogeochemistry, which are important to pass the subject
Attendance and active participation in teaching activities.
In order to encourage participation in classes, we recommend the implementation of activities that arise along the course and, in particular, to work with the information provided through the Virtual Campus, before lectures and interactive activities.
Use of specialized literature, not only textbooks, but of research articles and popular science.
Distribute personal work (study, work performing, readings, etc.) throughout the semester.
Recommendations for telematic teaching
- According to the rules of telematic assessment, a microphone and camera are required for telematic examinations, and these devices improve interaction with the teacher.
- Improve informational and digital skills with the resources available at the USC.
Contingency plan
a) Teaching methodology
Scenario 2 (partial restrictions on physical attendance)
Presential and/or telematic teaching (32 h)
- Expository and interactive classes: if the number of students enrolled in the subject and the classrooms available allow it, the classes will be face-to-face. If this is not possible, the students will be divided into two groups that will alternate in attendance so that when one group is in class the other will follow through by video conference.
- Field practice: if possible, a field practice will be carried out oriented to the interpretation of formation factors, morphology, properties and processes of pedogenesis of different types of soils
Group Tutorship
A group tutoring will be carried out oriented to the resolution of problems and doubts of the students in presential way or through the MS Teams platform.
Individualized tutoring
Will be done through the MS Teams platform.
Scenario 3 (closure of the facilities)
Telematic teaching (32 h)
- Expository and interactive classes: Teams sessions will be used through which the approved calendar will be followed and where the daily contact with the students will always be promoted combining the different resources (explanations of the teaching staff, visualization of videos, discussion sessions, web resources...)
- Field practice: if possible, teachers will guide students in a virtual tour oriented to the interpretation of formation factors, morphology, properties and processes of pedogenesis of different types of soils in Galicia.
Group Tutorship
A group tutorship will be carried out oriented to the resolution of problems and doubts of the students through the MS Teams platform.
Individualized tutoring
Will be done through the MS Teams platform.
b) Evaluation system
Scenario 2 (partial restrictions on physical attendance)
In this scenario we would try to take the final exam in person. In this way the evaluation would be carried out in the same way as in scenario 1.
Grade distribution Method
Continuous evaluation 50%
- Continuous Evaluation 25% Telematic, asynchronous
- Teamwork 25% Telematic, asynchronous
Final exam 50% Presential
Scenario 3 (facility closure)
In this scenario the entire evaluation would be telematic.
Grade distribution Method
Continuous evaluation 50%
- Continuous Evaluation 25% Telematic, asynchronous
- Teamwork 25% Telematic, asynchronous
Final exam 50% Telematic, synchronous
Communication channels with students
MS Teams: in the classroom of the subject, individual conversations for personalized tutoring.
Virtual classroom
E-mail (only the USC e-mail)
Maria Del Carmen Monterroso Martinez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881813288
- carmela.monterroso [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Eduardo Garcia-Rodeja Gayoso
- Department
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Area
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Phone
- 881813287
- eduardo.garcia-rodeja [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom A8 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom A8 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Classroom A8 |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish, Galician | Classroom A8 |
| 05.27.2021 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 05.27.2021 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A6 |
| 05.27.2021 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 05.27.2021 09:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 07.06.2021 16:00-19:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 07.06.2021 16:00-19:30 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |