Pedology & Mineralogy
Pedology and mineralogy research projects involve the study of the basic factors and interactions involved in the formation and weathering of soils. Our work studying and characterizing the physical and chemical properties of soils found throughout Kansas informs industry decisions statewide. The research team also studies the environmental mineralogy of nutrient and trace elements. Much of our work is done in cooperation with colleagues at other universities throughout the US and internationally. We are also a key cooperator with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
See Photo: Clay films take thousands of years to accumulate on ped faces.
Research programs include:
- Clay mineral weathering
- Development and uses of soil survey geographic databases
- Dynamic soil properties, both directly and indirectly affected by humans
- Effects of irrigation and other management factors on the genesis and morphology of soils
- Environmental applications of soil mineralogy
- Genesis and micromorphology of soils
- Speciation of secondary minerals and related solid phases for understanding environmental fate of elements
- The relationship of environmental factors and soil physical properties in soil quality
- Use of satellite imagery and geographic information systems for soil survey
- Utilization of soils as building materials and for the treatment of wastewater
Soil Characterization Laboratory:
- The Kansas State University Soil Characterization Laboratory provides physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses of soils including particle size analysis, total carbon content, cation exchange capacity measurements, soil salinity analysis, and mineralogy of clays.