Soil geology

Watersheds, also known as drainage basins, define a natural context for the study of relationships among soils, geology, terrestrial ecosystems, and the hydrologic system because water and sediment travel downslope under the influence of gravity. This material is a continuation of some of what was presented in Chapter 6. 

Kurz A, Derry LA, Chadwick OA, Alfano MJ (2000) Refractory element mobility in volcanic soils. Geology 28 683-686... 

Remediation is a process of restoration. In order to conduct remedial activities, we must first understand both the process which generated the contaminants, the contaminant chemistry, the soil geology, the site hydrology, and the nature and kind of interactions between the soil, water, and the contaminants. In this brief exposition, weTl discuss a couple of different types of sites and see the limits of remediation technology. 

The chemistry of Alpine lakes is the result of numerous physical, chemical and biological reactions occurring in the catchment. These are influenced by many parameters like deposition, catchment area and slope, watershed surface type (vegetation, bare rock), soil, geology and temperature. 

Site boundaries are determined by the land ownership, current and past land use, and by natural site characteristics (topography, soils, geology, hydrology, and biota). Site boundaries are also set by the extent of the contamination, as determined by exploratory sampling. 

Meunier J. C., Colin F., and Alarcon C. (1999) Biogenic storage of silica in soils. Geology 27, 835-838. 

Fookes, P.G. (Ed.). 1997. Tropical Residual Soils. Geological Society, London. 

A comprehensive study of uranium transfer from soil to plants, animals, and man in the food chain was published (Anke et al. 2009). The uranium content in vegetation in Germany was found to be much lower than in soil and the amount varied considerably between different types of soil and this was reflected in the concentration in plants and mineral waters. Table 3.5 shows the relative uranium content in flora in different types of soil (geological variation) in different geographical locations in Germany. 

Transportation Research Record No. 1288, Soils, Geology and Foundations. Geotechnical Engineering, 41-46. 

A considerable body of Hterature has been pubHshed on the distribution and detection methods of mbidium ia geological formations, the oceans, soils, iadustrial particulate emissions, and steUar/iatersteUar formations (2). 

The final composition of stream water is the product of the weathering reactions and related processes outlined above. However, the chemical processes are influenced and controlled by an intricate combination of environmental factors that are characteristic for each drainage system. Therefore, the composition of the bedrock in an area and the residual material left at the surface as soil and subsoil exert a strong influence on the chemical composition of mnoff from the area. The reactions of water with this material are the ultimate geological control and are the source of soluble weathering products. 

Water balance calculations aided by geology and soil data... 

Sources of tliis information include site descriptions mid data from the preliminary assessment (PA), site inspection (SI), and remedial investigation (RI) reports. Other sources include local soil sur eys, wetland maps, aerial photographs, and reports by the National Oceanograpliic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and tlie U.S. Geological Sur ey (USGS). One cmi also consult with appropriate tecluiical e.xperts (e.g., hydrogeologists, air modelers) as needed to cluuacterize tlie site. 

Migration 244. Accumulation 245. Structural Geology 246. Traps 251. Basic Engineering Rock Properties 254, Basic Etigineering Soil Properties 266. 

Geological surveys require the services of analytical chemists to determine the composition of the numerous rock and soil samples collected in the field. A particular instance of such an exercise is the qualitative and quantitative examination of the samples of moon rock brought back to Earth in 1969 by the first American astronauts to land on the moon. 

In developing and applying the erosional-depositional system, careful consideration was given to the environmental factors which influence the potential for erosion, transport and deposition climate, topography, geology and soils, as well as human activity. 

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