Exploring the physical and chemical parameters of soils which set primary conditions for life on Earth
Soil Science – Soil Matrix Group
school of earth and environment
faculty of science
Soil matrix characterisation Ì mineralogical Ì chemical Ì physical
Physical and chemical properties of soils set primary conditions for life on Earth!
From microscale to macroscale ‘understanding the weathering story written in nature’
Australian soils have been developed and shaped over millions of years. Analyzing their development provides important information for future risks on soils.
UWA Soil Matrix Group investigates weathering processes over various time- and spatial scales.
Thin section analysis to describe soil structure.
1cm
Variations of clay, carbon and iron oxides with depth in a soil profile.
Clay mineralogy analysis using x-ray diffraction analysis.
NMR-analysis for soil carbon characterisation.
black carbon
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Mapping element distributions in soils using synchroton and electron microprobe techniques.
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Soil hydrology in natural, agricultural and mining contexts
Soil-geophysics and non-invasive subsoil information
UWA Soil Matrix Group uses on site and remote sensing methods to identify local hydrological conditions and continental-scale droughts.
UWA Soil Matrix Group uses non-invasive geophysical methods to portray the ‘invisible’ subsurface soils.
Preferential water flow on sandy soils – Albany, WA.
Remote sensing of soil moisture using the GRACE satellites.
3D-sedimentary pattern to determin preferential water flow, depth and direction of root growth.
4D-infiltration experiment during a rainfall event. Displayed are changes of electric resistivity over time.
Ground penetrating radar.
The University of Western Australia | 03
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Soil ScienceSchool of Earth and EnvironmentFaculty of ScienceThe University of Western AustraliaM087, 35 Stirling HighwayCrawley WA 6009, Australia
Asst/Prof Gavan McGrathTel: +61 8 6488 3735Email: [email protected]
Asst/Prof. Matthias LeopoldTel: +61 8 6488 2769Email: [email protected]
A/Prof. Andrew RateTel: +61 8 6488 2500Email: [email protected]
see.uwa.edu.au
Students discussing soil properties in the field.