1. The soil as a natural resource: Concept, definitions, factors and formation processes.
2. The study of the soil at field and laboratory.
3. Inorganic and organic soil components.
4. The soil water regime.
5. Mineralogical, physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and their environmental implications.
6. Soil classification systems: Soil Taxonomy.
7. Soil use and misuse and soil quality evaluation.
8. Main processes of soil degradation: physical, chemical, biological.
9. management and conservation of degraded soils.
10. Soil pollution: origin, types of pollutants and current directives.
11. Remediation technologies of polluted soils.
Teaching methods:
Field trip: The study of the soil in situ. Identification to soil degradation and pollution processes. Analysis of a case study.
Laboratory ativity:
Soil characterization: organic matter, pH and salinity and sodicity.
Examination:
Evaluation of teorethical and practical knowledge of the course by means of a global test of muultiple or brief answer (80%)and delivery of a report on the two practical works carried out (10%+10%). Each part must be approved separately.