Soil formed under sagebrush in Kelly, WY.

Overview. Soils are crucial to the health of our planet. As ecosystems, soils support terrestrial plant life and the other life, including, ourselves, that depend on it. Soil are important sinks of carbon, playing an important role in the regulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate. Soil chemical processes also are important for the regulation of nutrient and toxic element concentrations in the environment. At Dartmouth Earth Sciences, we have a number of faculty that examine the biological and chemical processes that occur in soil systems. For example, Dr. Bostick examines the fundamental chemical and biogeochemical processes that occur in soils, including adsorption, redox processes, and mineral weathering and precipitation. These processes are vital to the regulation of nutrient and contaminant concentrations. Dr. Drs. Renshaw and Feng examine the connection betrween these chemical processes and solute transport. Dr. Feng also examines nutrient cycling in soil organic matter, primarily using theoretical and iostopic approaches. Professors Bostick also has active research into chemical weathering. Others (Friedland, Virginia) examine these processes at larger, ecosystem scales. More information on these and other research projects can be obtained from the sites below.