The Urban Soil Guide

Delve into the fascinating world of soil science with "The Urban Soil Guide," a comprehensive manual designed for everyone from science beginners to seasoned horticulturists. Whether you're an introductory science student, a passionate gardener, a landscape designer, or a professional horticulturist, this guide is tailored for you. Packed with a variety of hands-on activities, this guide makes learning soil science both accessible and enjoyable. From simple experiments that can be performed in your kitchen to more advanced techniques, it offers a practical approach to understanding soil. Written by a soil scientist, this guide bridges the gap between professional knowledge and amateur enthusiasm. The Urban Soil Guide is versatile enough to serve as a textbook in botanical gardens and university classes, while also being an invaluable resource for amateurs. Choose activities that match your interest and level of expertise. Embark on your journey to becoming a soil expert with The Urban Soil Guide - your hands-on companion in the world of soil science.

Dr. Anna Paltseva is an international urban soil scientist, esteemed for her expertise in urban soil contamination and remediation of urban gardens. She received her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, in 2019. After serving as an endowed assistant professor in Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette School of Geosciences for four years, Dr. Paltseva has taken up a new challenge as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Purdue University. Her mission remains steadfast: to educate communities about the importance of soil health for growing nutritious food, supporting healthy ecosystems, and safeguarding children from exposure to harmful heavy metals.
Throughout her career, Dr. Paltseva has been dedicated to teaching and has imparted her knowledge to a wide range of students at various prestigious institutions, including New York University, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, the renowed New York Botanical Garden, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. At Purdue University, she will continue this educational legacy, focusing on advancing the practice and understanding of sustainable urban agriculture.
Authoring and co-authoring over thirty manuscripts and book chapters, Dr. Paltseva's scholarly contributions are extensive. Her international presentations span several countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, China, Russia, Austria, and Germany. She has also served as the Chair for the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division at the Soil Science Society of America (2022-2024) and was honored with the esteemed 2023 Soil Science Education and Extension Award from the society.

Lab 1. How Do Soils Form? Examining Rocks, Minerals and the Products of Weathering under a Microscope.- Lab 2. What Is a Soil Profile?.- Lab 3. Why Do Soils Have Different Colors? Does Soil Smell?.- Lab 4. What Is Soil Texture?.- Lab 5. What Are Soil Structure And Consistence?.- Lab 6. What Is the Total Pore Space In the Soil?.- Lab 7. How Can Apparent Soil Water Retention Capacity Be Analyzed?.- Lab 8. What Is Permeability of Soil?.- Lab 9. How Does Water Percolate Through Soils?.- Lab 10. Build an Urban Erosion Model.- Lab 11. What Is Soil pH? How Is It Measured?.- Lab 12. Why Is Soil Salinity Important?.- Lab 13. How Do Cations Exchange In the Soil?.- Lab 14. How Can Carbonate Content Be Estimated?.- Lab 15. How Much of Trace Elements Are In Urban Soils?.- Lab 16. How Much of Nutrients Do Plants Need?.- Lab 17. How Much of Organic Matter and Humus Content Is In The Soil?.- Lab 18. Who Lives In the Soil?.- Lab 19. Using the Web Soil Survey for Various Applications.- Lab 20. Tell a Story about Your Soil from "A Worm's Eye View".