Soil Scientist - Tasks and specialisations
Kaipūtaiao Oneone
Tasks & duties
Soil scientists may study some or all of the following:
- the nature of soils and what they are made of
- nutrient movement from soil into the atmosphere or water systems
- the biological, physical and chemical activity of soils
- greenhouse gas emissions from soils.
They may use this knowledge to develop new technologies, give advice and make recommendations on:
- how to best use land and preserve it for future use
- how to maintain soil quality
- how to restore damaged land
- how to alter soils to suit different plants
- irrigation, drainage and waste disposal
- investigate soil problems
- what types of fertiliser to use.
Soil scientists examine soils and look at ways to work the land sustainably
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Brent Clothier sets up solar panel to conduct a soil quality experiment
Specialisations
There is a vast range of specialisations soil scientists can work in including:
- agriculture
- horticulture
- the environment and climate change policy
- microbiology
- soil chemistry
- archaeology
- forensics
- irrigation
- infrasture and building
- foreign aid (helping developing nations with agriculture)
- fertiliser production
- another area of science.
Updated
March 2010
