Soils and the environment : an introduction / Alan Wild.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 277-280) and index.

1. Introduction: soil in a natural and man-made environment. 1.1. Some definitions. 1.2. Soil as a component of ecosystems. 1.3. Soils through geological time. 1.4. Soils and man. 1.5. Soils and pollution -- A. Soil properties and processes. 2. The soil components. 2.2. Texture and structure. 2.3. Bulk density and pore space. 2.4. Soil water. 2.5. The soil solution. 2.6. Soil air. 2.7. Mineral components. 2.8. Organic components. 2.9. Chemical elements in soil. 2.10. Interactions between soil components. 3. Development of soils. 3.2. Rocks and rock weathering. 3.3. The products of weathering. 3.4. Additions and decomposition of organic matter. 3.5. Processes of soil formation. 3.6. Soil-forming factors. 3.7. Soil classification. 4. Sorptive properties of soils. 4.1. Electrically charged surfaces. 4.2. Exchangeable cations and canon exchange capacity. 4.3. The diffuse layer. 4.4. Characteristics of cation exchange. 4.5. Selectivity of cation adsorption. 4.6. Anion retention.

4.7. Adsorption of organic molecules. 4.8. Sorption of gases. 5. Organisms and soil processes. 5.2. Organic materials: sources and decomposition. 5.3. Soil fauna. 5.4. Soil microorganisms. 5.5. Biological nitrogen fixation. 5.6. Ammonification and nitrification. 5.7. Denitrification. 5.8. Oxidation and reduction. 6. Movement of water, air, solutes and heat in soil. 6.2. Principles. 6.3. Movement of water. 6.4. Infiltration and percolation of water. 6.5. Evaporation of water from soil. 6.6. Transpiration by plants. 6.7. Diffusion of gases. 6.8. Movement of solutes. 6.9. Soil temperature and movement of heat -- B. Soils in relation to the environment. 7. Soil as a medium for plant growth. 7.2. Plant development and growth. 7.3. Restrictions to root growth. 7.4. Requirement of plants for water. 7.5. Requirement of plants for nutrients. 7.6. The rhizosphere. 7.7. Mycorrhizas. 7.8. Nutrients in natural ecosystems. 8. Soil conditions and crop production. 8.2. Cultivations. 8.3. Provision of nutrients.

8.4. Fertilizer use. 8.5. Individual fertilizers. 8.6. Organic matter and organic manures. 8.7. Nutrient balances. 8.8. Water. 8.9. Crop production in low-rainfall regions. 8.10. Irrigation. 9. Soil acidification. 9.2. pH and buffering. 9.3. Soil pH and buffer capacity. 9.4. Percentage base saturation. 9.5. Processes of soil acidification. 9.6. Effects of soil acidity on plants. 9.7. Acid rain. 9.8. Acidification of ecosystems. 9.9. Environmental effects. 10. Heavy metals and radionuclides in soil. 10.2. Heavy metals: definition. 10.3. Hazardous elements in soils. 10.4. Accumulation in plants. 10.5. Four hazardous elements: Cd, Pb, Zn, F. 10.6. Treatment of contaminated land. 10.7. Radionuclides. 10.8. Radionuclides in the environment. 10.9. Radionuclides in soil. 11. Soils, the atmosphere, global warming and ozone depletion. 11.2. The atmosphere: physical properties. 11.3. The atmosphere: chemical properties. 11.4. Radiative heating. 11.5. Radiatively active gases. 11.6. Carbon dioxide. 11.7. Methane.

11.8. Nitrous oxide and nitric oxide. 11.9. Other gases. 11.10. Changes of the global climate. 11.11. Effects of global warming on soils. 12. Soil erosion and conservation. 12.2. Natural erosion. 12.3. The environmental problem. 12.4. Erosion by water. 12.5. Erosion by wind. 12.6. Physical principles. 12.7. Causes of accelerated erosion. 12.5. Soil conservation. 13. Soils in the environment: problems and solutions. 13.2. Nitrate. its sources and as a health hazard. 13.3. Eutrophication of surface waters. 13.4. Pesticides. 13.5. Degradation of soil. 13.6. Drought. 13.7. Attaining higher crop yields. 13.8. Organic farming. 13.9. Sustaining soil fertility. 13.10. Making the best use of soils.