Pedology | Henri Spaltenstein

Without soil, the biomass carried by the land would be one hundredth of what it currently is. Pedology studies the soil, the processes that take place in it, and its evolution. Some concepts used in pedology are difficult to grasp. Examples:- In pedology, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ are basic cations, and they have basic properties in pedology. In chemistry, basic cations do not exist - K+ and Na+ are alkali cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+ are alkaline earth cations. How to understand a theory that uses concepts attributed to chemistry, but that chemistry does not know?- In geology, some rocks are called basic, like basalt - others are called acidic, like granite. A soil on a basic rock is basic because the rock is basic - a soil on an acidic rock is acidic because the rock is acidic. But there are basic soils on acidic rocks and acidic soils on basic rocks. Is there a coherent theory for all cases?- If we crush a granite (acid rock), the debris is placed in distilled water, the pH is measured: it is basic. How to understand this?- An important parameter of the soil is biological activity. Is a soil acidic? It's due to biological activity. Is another soil not acidic? It's due to biological activity. How to understand this?This book resolves the difficulties mentioned above, based on basic knowledge of chemistry, geology, and biology. It has been prepared for students in pedology and environmental studies. It sheds light on certain processes that are not addressed in any other work and should facilitate the use of specialized treatises.