Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics

An abridged, student-oriented edition of Hillel's earlier published Environmental Soil Physics, Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics is a more succinct elucidation of the physical principles and processes governing the behavior of soil and the vital role it plays in both natural and managed ecosystems. The textbook is self-contained and self-explanatory, with numerous illustrations and sample problems. Based on sound fundamental theory, the textbook leads to a practical consideration of soil as a living system in nature and illustrates the influences of human activity upon soil structure and function. Students, as well as other readers, will better understand the importance of soils and the pivotal possition they occupy with respect to careful and knowledgeable conservation.

• Written in an engaging and clear style, posing and resolving issues relevant to the terrestrial environment
• Explores the gamut of the interactions among the phases in the soil and the dynamic interconnection of the soil with the subterranean and atmospheric domains
• Reveals the salient ideas, approaches, and methods of environmental soil physics
• Includes numerous illustrative exercises, which are explicitly solved
• Designed to serve for classroom and laboratory instruction, for self-study, and for reference
• Oriented toward practical problems in ecology, field-scale hydrology, agronomy, and civil engineering
• Differs from earlier texts in its wider scope and holistic environmental conception

Students in soil chemistry and physics, as well as other environmental disciplines.

Preface Part I: Basic Relationships

1. Soil Physics and Soil Physical Characteristics
2. Water Properties in Relation to Porous Media Part II: The Solid Phase
3. Particle Sizes, Shapes, and Specific Surface
4. Clay, the Colloidal Component
5. Soil Structure and Aggregation Part III: The Liquid Phase
6. Water Content and Potential in the Soil
7. Water Flow in Saturated Soil
8. Water Flow in Unsaturated Soil
9. Solute Movement and Soil Salinity Part IV: The Gaseous Phase
10. Gas Content and Composition in the Soil
11. Gas Movement and Exchange with the Atmosphere Part V: Composite Phenomena
12. Temperature and Heat Flow in the Soil
13. Stress, Strain, and Strength of Soil Bodies Part VI: The Field Water Cycle14. Water Entry into Soil
14. Surface Runoff and Water Erosion
15. Redistribution and Retention of Water in Soil
16. Groundwater Drainage and Pollution
17. Evaporation from Bare Soil and Wind Erosion Part VII: Soil-Plant-Water Relations
18. Plant Uptake of Soil Moisture
19. Water Balance and Energy Balance in the Field
20. Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency Bibliography
    Index