Laboratory of Soil Science
Laboratory of Soil Science
Director: VasileiosAntoniadis, Professor
Degree in Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
PhD in Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, The University of Reading, UK
Research
- Study of soil amendments for the enhancement of soil retention capacity for inorganic pollutants (heavy metals) and the improvement of the dynamics of plant nutrients in soil.
- Use of adsorptive materials (natural and synthesized) as soil amendments for the amelioration of contaminated soils. Study of the use of such adsorptive materials for lower plant absorption of heavy metals.
- Soil phosphorus availability and determination of plant available P in discrete soil units of Thessaly.
- Determination of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn) in soils, tobacco plants and irrigating water and drinking water in discrete soil units of Thessaly.
- Determination of K, Ca, Mg and N in soils, tobacco plants and irrigating water and drinking water in discrete soil units of Thessaly.
- Determination of B in soils, tobacco plants and irrigating water and drinking water in discrete soil units of Thessaly.
- The relation of parent materials and chemical properties of soils, effects of parent materials to the chemical parameters of Alfisols in Elassona and Tsaritsani area.
- The environmental effect of agricultural land uses on wetlands.
- The chemical and physical status of peat and the effects of meteorological conditions on the mineralization of organic matter in Philipous area.
- Hydroponics fertilization in horticulture plants.
- Determination of Se in soils, water and tobacco plants.
- Determination of F and Br in soils, water and tobacco plants.
- Determination of Nitrates and Nitrites and buffer capacity in irrigating water in Magnesia.
- Salinization and alkalization of the late Karla lake.
- Classification of irrigating water in rural areas of Trikala, West Pilion, Diminion, Gatzea, Agria and Lechonia.
- Determination of the chemical factors of silt and water from the biological cleaning system of the town of Arta.
- Soil mapping in Thessaly with Geographical information systems (GIS).
- Management and application of organic wastes to soil, such as sewage sludge and manures.
- Phytoremediation of Cr(VI)- and heavy metal-contaminated soils
Courses
Soil Science
1st year, 2nd semester
Contents
Lectures
- The description of soil
- Parent materials
- Weathering (physical, chemical, biological).
- Primary and clay minerals
- Soil physical properties.
- Soil organic matter.
- Soil chemical properties.
- Management principles of problem soils.
- Soil taxonomy principles
Practicals
- Soil sampling
- Soil pH
- Soil organic matter
- Particle size distribution analysis
- Electrical conductivity
- Calcium carbonate
Soil Fertility – Fertilisers – Plant Nutrition
3rd year, 5th semester
Contents
Lectures section
- Plant nutrients.
- Availability of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus
- Soil nitrogen
- Micronutrients and heavy metals: Ζn, Cu, Mn, Fe, B, Cd, Pb and Se.
- Estimations of nutrient availability to plants
- The use and practice of fertilizers
- Problems concerning soil fertility and fertilizers
Practicals section
Extraction and analysis of:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Exchangeable cations Κ, Ca, Mg, and Na
- Cation micronutrients Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe
– Boron
Pollution, Amelioration and Management of Degraded Soils (elective course)
3rd year, 6th semester
Contents
Lectures section
- Soil contamination (definitions, industrial, municipal and agricultural wastes, ways of applying them to soil, heavy metals, organic contaminants)
- Problem soils (description of genesis, detrimental effects, reclamation methods). Problem soils include: Salt-affected, acidic and eroded soils.
Practicals section
- Methods of reclaiming acidic soils
- Analysis and evaluation of irrigation water
MSc post-graduate courses
Soil Fertility-Plant Nutrition
Management of Degraded Soils
