Credit hours: 1-2 (Only first time students participating in the week long field trip required for the competition can be registered for two credit hours. In subsequent years, students participating in the regional competition trip can register for one credit hour. Students not participating in the regional competition trip can register for one credit hour, and they will be required to do extra homework and field assignments (20%) to meet the course requirements.)

Instructor: Dr. A.D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

Textbook: Handbook for Collegiate Soils Contest in the Southeastern Region. 1996. Karathanasis et al., University of Kentucky.

Other references: Designated soil survey reports and Soil Taxonomy keys.

Lecture/Discussion Periods: 1 hour a week (TBA) and/or 2-3 hours a week (TBA) field exercises. (Course concludes on October 25)

(1) General rules for Collegiate Soil Judging in the Southeastern Region

(2) Scorecard interpretations

(3) Regional Morphology of State and Southeastern Region Soils

(4) Soil Profile Properties and Interpretations of State and Southeastern Region Soils

(5) Site Characteristics of State and Southeastern Region Soils

(6) Soil Classification of State and Southeastern Region Soils

Lab Periods: (2-3 hours/week - TBA)

(1) Soil profile and landscape evaluations in the field.

(2) One-week field trip (October 7-11) to Clemson University, which is hosting the Soil Judging competition this year to represent the Univ. of KY in the regional competition.  During this trip, we will study designated soils in the area and compete against other collegiate soil judging  teams from the Southeastern region.

Homework Assignments: Exercise problems on soil morphological descriptions, interpretations, and classifications of selected soils in the area of the competition

(1) To provide practical experience on field evaluations of important soil properties impacting soil use and management interpretations

(2) To prepare the students for regional soil judging competition.

1. A = 90-100, B = 80-89.9, C = 70-79.9, D =60-69.9, E = 50-59.9, F < 50

2. One comprehensive test will be given the week before regional competition

3. Final Grade: Field evaluations 40%; homework assignments 20% (40% for students not participating in the contest); Test 20%; Competition Score 20%

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Credit hours: 1 (Students taking this course are required to participate in the national competition trip.)

Instructor: Dr. A.D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

Textbook: Handbook for National Collegiate Soils Contest (provided by the school hosting the competition).

Other references: Designated soil survey reports and Soil Taxonomy keys.

Lecture/Discussion Periods: 1 hour a week (TBA) or 2-3 hours a week (TBA) field exercises. (The course concludes on April 30).

(1) General rules for National Collegiate Soil Judging

(2) National scorecard interpretations

(3) Area geology

(4) Morphology of soils in the region hosting the national competition

(5) Site and Soil Characteristics

(6) Soil Classification

Lab Periods: (2-3 hours/week - TBA)

(1) Soil profile and landscape evaluations in the field.

(2) One-week field trip in the middle of April to the institution hosting the contest each year to represent UK (if qualified) at the national competition. During these trips, we study designated soils in the area and compete against the best soil judging college teams (qualified through regional contests) in the nation.

Homework Assignments: Exercise problems on soil morphological descriptions, interpretations, and classifications of       selected soils of the region hosting the national competition.

(1) To provide advanced training on field evaluations of important soil properties impacting soil use and management interpretations under various climatic and physiographic regimes

(2) To prepare the students for national soil judging competition.

1. A = 90-100, B = 80-89.9, C = 70-79.9, D =60-69.9, E = 50-59.9, F < 50

2. One comprehensive test will be given the week before the national competition

3. Final Grade: Field evaluations 40%; Homework assignments 20%; Test 20%; Competition Score 20%

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Instructor: Dr. A. D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

(1) Department of the Army: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. Washington, D.C.

(2) Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Colet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. FWS/DBS-79/31. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington,D.C.

(3) Tiner, R.W. Jr. 1988. Field Guide to Nontidal Wetland Identification. Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources. Annapolis, MD.

(4) Reed, P.B. Jr. 1988. National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands: Kentucky. NERC-88/18.17, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.

(5) U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. Soil Survey Division Staff, Handbook No. 18, Washington, D.C.

(6) U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1991. Hydric Soils of the United States. Soil Conservation Service. Misc. Publ. 1491, Washington, D.C.

(7) Lyon, J.G. 1993. Practical Handbook for Wetland Identification and Delineation. 157 p. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.

(8) Mitsch, W.J. and J.G. Gosselink. 1993. Wetlands. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York City, N.Y. 722 p.

(9) Tiner, R. W.  1999.  Wetland Indicators.  A guide to wetland identification, delineation, classification, and mapping.  Lewis Publ., Boca Raton, FL.  392 p.

Other References: Field Guides and Designated Articles from Scientific Journals, Book Chapters, and Technical Reports.

*Lecture/discussion Periods: 5 hours/week, T,R 3:00-5:30 P.M. Room N8 (August 28-October 17)

*Laboratory and Field Exercises: TBA

I. Wetland Concepts and Definitions

II. Major Types, Functions, and Values

III. Technical Criteria for Wetland Identification and Delineation

                A. Hydrophytic Vegetation

                                        (1) Plant Adaptations for Wetlands

                                        (2) Plant Indicator Status Categories

                                        (3) Indicators of Hydrophytic Vegetation

                                        (4) Vegetation Strata

                                        (5) Selection of Dominant Species

IV. Wetland Delineation Methods

                    B. Onsite Determinations

V. Disturbed and Problem Area Wetlands

VI.  Wetland Functional Assessment Methods

VII.  Wetland Restoration and Mitigation Approaches

Field and Lab Exercises: There will be 2 laboratory exercises involving plant and soil identification and classification, 3-4 field trips involving wetland identification and delineation, and a final comprehensive field exercise on wetland identification and delineation for which a technical report is required, written (typed) according to specific guidelines. The report is due on October 17.  In addition, about 7-8 homework assignments (typed) and quizzes will be given during the semester addressing important aspects of wetland identification and delineation.

(1) Present technical criteria and field indicators for hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology (CE 1987 Manual). (2) Describe methods (with examples) used for wetland identification and delineation. (3) Provide field training in wetland identification and delineation utilizing documentation and analysis of field collected data, and (4) Discuss current wetland issues related to their functional assessment, management and restoration.

(1) A = > 89; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = < 60

(2) One test will be given on September 19. The final exam is scheduled for October 17.

(3) Final Grade: 25% for the test; 30% for final exam; 25% for field, lab work; and final report; 20% for homework assignments and quizzes.

*Lecture, lab, field exercise, and test participation is mandatory.

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Instructor: Dr. A. D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

(1) Hammer. D.A. (ed.) 1989. Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: Municipal, Industrial and Agricultural. Lewis Publ., Chelsea, MI. 831 p.

(2) Reed, S.C. 1988. Natural Systems for Wastewater Treatment. Water Pollution Control Federation, Alexandria, VA. 270 p.

(3) Reed, S.C., E.J. Middlebrook, and R.W. Crites. 1988. Natural Systems for Waste Management and Treatment. McGraw-Hill, New York City, N.Y. 308 p.

(4) Cooper. P.F. and B.C. Findlater. 1990. Constructed Wetlands in Water Pollution Control. Pergamon Press, New York City, N.Y. 605 p.

(5) Moshiri, G.A. 1993. Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement. Lewis Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI. 632 p.

(6) Kadlec, R.H. and R.L. Knight. 1996. Treatment Wetlands. Lewis Publishers, New York, N.Y. 893 p.

*Lecture/Discussion Periods: 5 hours/week, T, R 3:00-5:40 P.M. Room N-8 (October 22-December 12)

*Lab and Field Exercises: TBA

1. To introduce important aspects of the function of natural and constructed wetlands as water purifiers.
2. To emphasize the principles and mechanism of the purification process and discuss design, construction, operation, and management criteria for efficient usage.
3. To demonstrate case studies involving mining, agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater treatment applications and provide experience in dealing with wetland projects.

I. Wetlands Ecosystems as Natural Water Purifiers

II.  Field Trips

                    Logan Aluminum and AMD (acid-mine drainage) Wetlands        (October 29, whole day trip)

                    Domestic Wastewater Wetlands                                             (October 31, class-time trip)

III. Wetland Chemistry and Mechanisms of Water Purification

IV. Design, Construction and Operation of Constructed Wetlands

V. Wastewater Treatment Applications

                    A. Coal-mine drainage

VI. Case Studies Wetland Project Assignment                                            (Dr. Sikora)          

Field Trips: Two field trips (one full day and one during class) will be organized to wetland sites constructed to treat acid mine drainage, industrial, and domestic wastewater.

Exercises: Approximately 6 homework assignments/quizzed addressing important aspects of constructed wetland applications.  All homework assignment should be typed.

Grading:

(1) A = > 89; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = < 60

(2) One test will be given on November 14.  The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 3:30 P.M.

(3) Final Grade: 25% for the take home exam; 30% for final exam; 20% for field trip participation and report; 25% for homework assignments and quizzes.

*Lecture, lab, field exercise, and test participation is mandatory.

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Instructor: Dr. A.D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K Ag. Science-North

Textbooks:

(1) Handbook for Collegiate Soils Contest in the Southeastern Region. 1996/1999. Karathanasis et al., Univ. of Kentucky. (Required)   (http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/soiljudge/handbook/)

(2) Class notes and handouts

Prime references:

(1) Soil Survey Manual. 1993 USDA Handbook No. 18, Soil Survey Division Staff, Washington, D.C.

(2) Soil Genesis and Classification. 1997. (Fourth Edition) S.W. Buol, F.D. Hole, R.J. McCracken and R. J. Southard. Iowa State Univ. Press.

(3) Soils and the Environment. A guide to soil surveys and their applications. 1981. G.W. Olson. Chapman and Hall, New York.

(4) Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification. 1989. D.S. Fanning and M.C.B. Fanning. John Wiley and Sons, NY.

(5) Keys to Soil Taxonomy. 1992-1996. Soil Management Support Services. Technical Monograph No. 19. USDA, AID.

(6) Soil Taxonomy.  1999.  (2nd edition). Soil Survey Staff.  USDA-NRCS.  US Gov. Printing Office, Washington, DC.

Other references: Designated articles from scientific journals, book chapters, and technical reports

Lecture/Discussion Periods: Tuesday, Thursday,1:00-2:00 P.M., Room N-8, AGSN.

Course Objectives:

Course Contents

1. Introduction

2. Soil Morphology

3. Laboratory characterization of physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of soils important for soil use and management

4. Soil formation processes - Effects of lithology, landscape, climate, organisms, and time as factors of soil formation

5. Soil Classification - Importance of classifying soils

6. Soils of Kentucky

7. Soil Surveys and Soil Mapping

8. Soil use interpretations

Field and Lab Periods: ~10-12 (3 hours/week) Thursday 2:00-5:00 P.M.  Field trips to UK Farms, Room 11, Greenhouse Lab, Room N-8 AGSN.

Attendance:  Participation in class and field activities is mandatory except for justified causes after permission.  Each unexcused absence may result in a 5% grade point reduction.

Homework Assignments: Approximately 6-8 homework assignments addressing soil morphological descriptions, diagnostic horizon identifications, lab characterization, classification and soil use interpretation aspects.  Assignments turned after the due date, but before grading, may earn 50% credit.

Grading:

1. A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = <60

2. Two one hour tests will be given in early October and early November.

The Final exam is scheduled for  Tuesday, December 16, 1:00 P.M.

3. Final Grade: Tests and Final Exam, 20% each; Field, lab and homework exercises 20%, Soil mapping exercise and report 20%.

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SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN SOIL SCIENCE

PEDOLOGY/MINERALOGY RESEARCH METHODS

PLS 599

COURSE OUTLINE (Spring, 2003)

Credit Hours: 2

Instructor: Dr. A.D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

e-mail: akaratha@uky.edu     Phone: 859-257-5925

Textbook: Not Required

1) Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. 1996.  USDA-NRCS National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.

2)  Methods of Soil Analysis:  Part 1.  Physical and Mineralogical Methods.  2nd ed.  1986.  A. Klute (ed.)  ASA-SSSA, Madison, WI.

3)  Quantitative Methods in Soil Mineralolgy. 1994.  J. E. Ammonette and L.W. Zelazny (eds.)  SSSA Miscellaneous Special Publication.  SSSA, Madison, WI.

4)  Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3: Chemical Methods.  1996.  D. L. Sparks (ed.)  SSSA Book Series #5, Madison, WI.

5)  Designated articles from Scientific Journals, Book Chapters and Technical Reports.

I.   LECTURE / DISCUSSION PERIODS (1 hour/week): R, 1:20-2:20 PM, Room A 5, AGSN

II.  LAB PERIODS (2 hours/week):  R, 2:30 - 4:20 PM, Rooms N-131 and N-133 AGSN

        A.  Physicochemical Pretreatment for Solid Phase Characterization  (4 sessions)

                1.  Sample assignment and preparation

                2.  Organic matter oxidation

                3.  Free Fe-oxide removal

                4.  Clay fractionation

                5.  Mg- and K- clay slide preparation

                6.  Ca-clay saturation

        B.  Mineralogical Characterization (4 sessions)

                1.  XRD of Mg- and K-clay fractions

                2.  XRD of sand and silt fractions

                3.  TGA of clay fractions

                4.  Mineral quantification

        C.  Total Elemental Analysis of the Clay Fraction (4 sessions)

                1.  LiBO₂ fusion of Ca-clays

                2.  Analysis for Si, Al, Fe, K, Na, Ca, etc. by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

                3.  Elemental allocation to mineral structures

                4.  Structural formula estimation of variable 2:1 minerals

                5.  Analysis for Fe of the Fe-oxide extracts for phase A

        D.  Mineral Stability and Soil Solution Equilibria (2 sessions)

                   1.  Soil solution composition assignments

                   2.  Calculation of mineral solubility equations

                   3.  Development of mineral stability diagrams

        E.  Optical Microscopy Analysis (Demonstration)  (1 session)

                    1.  Petrographic microscopy - mineral identification

                    2.  Thin-section micromorphology (preparation and description of soil thin sections).

Each student will be assigned 1 soil sample to be analyzed according to the above procedures.  A final report, including analytical data and interpretations on the assigned sample will be prepared and submitted at the end of the semester.  It will include phases A, B, C and D of the lab schedule.

III.  COURSE OBJECTIVES

            1.  To introduce basic laboratory methodology concepts applied to Pedology and Mineralogy investigations.

            2.   To provide hands on experience on using current analytical research protocols for solid and solution phase         characterizations and making pedological and mineralogical interpretations.

IV.  GRADING

                1.  A > 89; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F < 60.

                2. One test will be given March 13.  The final exam is scheduled for May 6, 8:00 A.M.

                3.  Final Grade:  Test = 20%; Final Exam = 30%; Lab work and final report =50%.

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Instructor: Dr. A.D. Karathanasis Office: N-122K, Ag. Science-North

Textbook: Not Required

1) Pedogenesis and Soil Taxonomy. 1983. L.P. Wilding, N.E. Smeck, and G.F. Hall (eds) Vols. 1: Concepts and Interactions and II: Soil Orders. Elsevier, N.Y.

2) The Physical Chemistry and Mineralogy of Soils. 1977. C.E. Marshall. Vol. II. Soils in Place. J. Wiley & Sons. N.Y.

3) Soils and Geomorphology. 1984. P.W. Birkeland. Oxford University Press, N.Y.

4) Aquatic Chemistry. 1996. W. Stumm and J.J. Morgan. 3rd. ed. Wiley-Interscience, N.Y.

5) Minerals in Soil Environments. 1989. J.B. Dixon & S.B. Weed (eds). 2nd ed. Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Madison, Wisconsin.

Other References: Designated articles from Scientific Journals, Book Chapters, and Technical Reports.

I. LECTURE OR DISCUSSION PERIODS (3 hours/week): T,R, 2:00-3:15 PM, Room A 5, AGSN

1. Introduction

2. Development of Pedological Concepts

3. Factors of soil formation

4. Physicochemical processes of Pedogenesis

5. Quantification of Soil Development

6. Modeling Soil Genesis

II. LAB PERIODS (2-3 hours/week):. R, 3:15-5:20 PM, Room A 6 or N-121, AGSN

            1. Physicochemical characterization (solid and solution phase).

            2. Mineralogical characterization (XRD and thermal analyses).

            3. Mineral-solution equilibria.

            4. Thin section micromorphology.

Each student will be assigned 2 soil samples to be analyzed according to the above procedures. A final report, including analytical data and pedological interpretations on the assigned samples will be prepared and submitted at the end of the semester. It will include five separate sections corresponding to the A, ...E phases of the lab schedule.

    (1) Sample preparation- Clay fractionation - Organic matter destruction - Free Fe-oxide removal

    (2) Mg-clay, K-clay slide preparation - Ca-clay saturation

    (1) LiBO2 fusion of clays, glass disk preparation

    (2) Analysis for Si, Al, Mg, Fe, K, Na, Ca, etc. by EDAX or AA

    (3) Discussion of data

    (1) XRD and Thermal Analysis

    (2) Mineral quantification

    (3) Elemental analysis of K for mica quantification

    (4) Elemental analysis of Fe in CBD extracts

    (5) Discussion of data

    (1) Soil solution extraction

    (2) Ionic composition determination

    (3) Ion activity calculations

    (4) Mineral stability equilibria formulations

    (5) Discussion of data

    (1) Petrographic microscopy - mineral identification

    (2) Thin section micromorphology - preparation and description of soil thin sections

    (3) Index mineral determinations

    (4) Discussion of data

        1. To introduce basic pedological concepts applied to soil genesis and classification studies.

        2. To demonstrate physicochemical and mineralogical principles involved in qualitative and quantitative evaluation of pedogenic processes.

        3. To suggest current research approaches and familiarize the students with methodology applied to pedological investigations.

        1. A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69

        2. Three one hour tests will be given in February, March, and April.

        The Final Exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 3:30 P.M.

        3. Final Grade: 3 Tests = 15% each; Final exam = 20%; Lab and homework = 35%.

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