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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2006; v. 266; p. 183-190;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2006.266.01.16
© 2006 Geological Society of London

Perspectives on the relationship between soil science and geology

F. C. Ugolini1 & B. P. Warkentin2

1 University of Florence, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Florence, Italy (e-mail: fugolini{at}unifi.it)
2 Oregon State University, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Soil science came into its own only in the 20th century. Before this, the study of soils was dominated by geologists, agronomists and chemists. It was Dokuchaev in 1886, who recognized soil as a physical entity with properties acquired from the impact of soil-forming factors, among which the geological substrate was only one. This vision resulted in the establishment of a new discipline, called pedology. With time, geologists began to appreciate soil in a pedological context. In fact, palaeosols in particular have been utilized to interpret the stratigraphy of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and Quaternary deposits. Also, palaeosols have been used for correlating unconsolidated sediments, faults and neotectonics, or for the relative dating of deposits or surfaces. Weathering is a field where soil chemists have interacted with geochemists to evaluate chemical denudation and landscape evolution. Geological engineering in terms of water storage, pollutant transport, and critical load, in addition to location, design and construction of roads, is another area of interaction between soil researchers and geologists. The exploration of the planets of the solar system is a field which has assembled soil chemists and geochemists to collect, analyse and interpret data sent by space vehicles. Future interactions between geology and soil science will occur on issues such as: water in the vadose zone; risks due to Earth movements; and functions of soils in ecosystems. We predict and also welcome more communication between the two disciplines, as solutions to some of these problems are demanded by society.





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