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SENR

School of Environment and Natural Resources

CFAES
SENR Graduate Specialization in Soil Sciences
Soil Science

Soil Science

The field of Soil Science applies biology and microbial ecology, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology, hydrology, mineralogy, mathematics, nutrition, toxicology, and physics.  Soil Science examines the formation, distribution, function and management of soils to understand, sustain, and improve the environment. Soil is a key component of natural, agricultural, and wildland ecosystems that sustains all global processes.

A diverse range of research tools are implemented, such as geospatial analysis, computer modeling, microscopy, spectroscopy, bioassays, molecular biology, and other advanced field and lab technology for soil investigation. Soil scientists provide expertise in food production and safety, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, ecological restoration, beneficial recycling of byproducts, and land use planning.  The soil scientists in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) investigate issues such as carbon sequestration, recycling of nutrients, restoration of contaminated soils, and assimilation of waste products.

Active Graduate Advisors:

Nicholas Basta
Matt Davies
Scott Demyan
Richard Dick
Rachel Gabor
Jeffory A. Hattey
Ryan Haden
Rattan Lal
Brian Lower
Steven Lower
Steve Lyon
Brian Slater


Recent Theses and Dissertations (available on OhioLink*)

K. Benson MS Assessment of Soil Quality Parameters of Long-Term Biosolids Amended Urban Soils and Dredge Blends
T. Brehm MS

Evaluating the effects of underground pipeline installation on soil and crop characteristics throughout Ohio, USA

M. Bright PhD The Role of Shrub Agroforestry Systems in Increasing Food Security for the West African Sahel
T. Burgos-Hernandez PhD

Investigating Soil Quality and Carbon Balance for Ohio State University Soils

Charles, C. MS

The Impact of Early Season Drought on Host Millet Physiology and its Microbial Community in a Growth Chamber Study

F. Clarke MS

Effects of Biofuel Crops on Soil Physical and Hydrological Properties on a Miamian Soil in Central Ohio

P. Cordero Irizarry MS

Soil Carbon as A Soil Quality Indicator of A Fruit Orchard In Puerto Rico

A. Dacras MS

Prediction of Phytoavailability and Bioaccessibility of As, Cd, and Pb by using Soil Properties or Soil Extraction Methods

C. Delay MS NITROGEN DYNAMICS AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITES OF SHRUB-MILLET SYSTEMS IN SENEGAL
T. Doohan MS

Drivers of Soil Organic Matter Stabilization across Ohio

S. Doyle MS Relationships Between Cropping Practices, Soil Quality, and Maize (Zea mays L) Yield in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
J. Dunn MS Single Molecule Characterization of Peptide/Hematite Binding
A. Dyck MS

50 years of change: Quantifying soil C stability under long-term tillage and cropping systems in Ohio

Gonzalez-Maldonado, N.

MS Evaluating the Effects of Long-Term No-Till and Crop Rotations in Soil Health and Corn Productivity
L. Hendricks MS

Soil Bioavailability of Aminomethylphosphonic Acid: A Metabolite of Glyphosate

P. Cordero Irizarry

MS

Soil Carbon as A Soil Quality Indicator of A Fruit Orchard In Puerto Rico

E. Kurth PhD Three field studies to examine cropping management effects on: runoff quantity and quality; soil water content and temperature; and selected soil quality indicators
N. Lee MS Long Term Glyphosate Effects on Roundup Ready Soybean Rhizosphere Microorganisms

E. Maas

PhD

Uncertainties in Soil Model Projections

M. Mayer MS

Factors Affecting the Bioaccessibility of Pb in Soils Amended with Phosphate: A Meta-analysis and Bench-scale Study

H. Peller PhD

Soil fertility, agroecology, and social change in southern Belize

J. Pugliese MS Above- and Belowground Response to Managing Kernza (Thinopyrum intermedium) as a Dual-Use Crop for Forage and Grain
P. Ranjan PhD Institutions, Property Rights, and Innovations in Agricultural Drainage: Insights from the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio
D. Tomashefski MS An Erodibility Assessment of Central Ohio Cropland Soils
C. Turner MS Soil chemical properties dynamics in glacial moraines across a chronosequence: Breiðamerkurjokull outwash plane, Iceland
A. Vascik MS Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems
J. Wade PhD Soil Health and Nutrient Dynamics in Agroecosystems of the Midwestern US
A. Zearley MS Incorporating Diet into In Vitro Bioaccessibility Assays to Improve Prediction of Bioavailability of Soil Pb in Birds and Humans

*OhioLink articles available to OSU students, faculty, and staff
**Students advised by SENR faculty in other OSU graduate programs