JORD310 Soil Pollution and Sustainability

To safeguard the soil function also for future generations, sustainable use must be in focus. This is because soil is central for many ecosystem services on which society depends, and therefore one of the most important natural resources we as humans manage. This managerial responsibility involves knowledge of how human activity affects soil as an ecosystem and the course therefore covers the following relevant topics: Metals: sources, modeling of speciation in soil, dispersal, bioavailability, effects on plants and microorganisms, tolerance limits, remediation. Organic chemicals: behavior of organic chemicals in the environment with a focus on risk, degradation, and soil/water remediation. Climate change and terrestrial carbon: focus on climatic and terrestrial factors that control photosynthesis and the importance of respiration for carbon in soil. Transport of contaminants: identification and modeling of different pathways in the watershed, best management options to reduce environmental pollution. Soil acidification and greenhouse gas emissions: due to increased deposition of nitrogen and sulfur Each topic: 10 hours (4 hours lecture, 4 hours work in groups under supervision, 2 hours presentation and discussion of scientific publications).