Course code LauZ6112
Credit points 7.50
Soil Chemistry
Total Hours in Course200
Number of hours for lectures24
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes56
Date of course confirmation22.03.2011
Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science
Course developer
Aldis Kārkliņš
Dr. habil. agr.
Course abstract
Soil components – phases and their elemental composition. Salts, their solubility and occurrence in soils. Soil solid and liquid phase. Exchange phenomena: processes, characterization and interactions. Soil reaction. Chemical compounds of the main elements in soil: transformation, dynamics, influence on soil properties.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Students will get an extended knowledge about theoretical and practical aspects of soil chemistry and obtain skills for practical its realization in different agronomical disciplines. As result students will be competent in soil chemistry as well as to prepare professional and scientific publications.
Compulsory reading
1. Borggaard O. Soil chemistry in a pedological context. – Copenhagen: Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 1996. – 145 p.
2. Tan Kim H. Principles of soil chemistry. 3rd ed. – New York, Basel, Hong Kong: Marcel Dekker, 1998. – 521 p.
3. Methods of Soils Analysis. Part 3. Chemical methods. / Ed. by J. M. Bigham. Madison: SSSA, 1996. – 1390 p.
4. Soil Chemistry. A basic elements / Ed. by G.H.Bolt and M.G.M. Bruggenwert. – Amsterdam, Oxford, New York: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, 1978. – 281 p.
Further reading
1. Gemste I. Augsnes organiskā viela intensīvas zemkopības apstākļos.– Rīga: Zinātne, 1991. – 109 lpp.
2. Добровольский Г. В., Никимин Е. Д. (2006) Экология почв. Москва: МГУ, Наука. 362 с.
3. Stinkule A., Kļaviņš M. (2000) Ģeoķīmijas pamati. Rīga. 255 lpp.