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
Steve Culman
Matt Davies
Scott Demyan
Richard Dick
Jeffory A. Hattey
Rattan Lal
Brian Lower
Steven Lower
Edward McCoy
Brian Slater
Christine Sprunger
Van Ryan Haden
Recent Theses and Dissertations (available on OhioLink*)
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M. Ann Varughese**
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MS
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Mulching and Tillage Effects on GHG Emissions and Properties of an Alfisol in Central Ohio
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| K. Benson |
MS |
Assessment of Soil Quality Parameters of Long-Term Biosolids Amended Urban Soils and Dredge Blends |
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T. Burgos-Hernandez
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MS
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Assessment of Effects of Long Term Tillage Practices on Soil Properties in Ohio |
| M. Bright |
PhD |
The Role of Shrub Agroforestry Systems in Increasing Food Security for the West African Sahel |
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D. Busalacchi
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MS
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Evaluation of Biosolids for Use in Ecological Restoration
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B. Campbell
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MS
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Carbon Budgets and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Two Long-Term Tillage and Crop Rotation Sites in Ohio
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| C. Delay |
MS |
NITROGEN DYNAMICS AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITES OF SHRUB-MILLET SYSTEMS IN SENEGAL |
| 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 |
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C. Dygert
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MS
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Setback Distance Effect of Mitigating Nutrient Transport from Surface Applied Liquid Dairy Manure on Frozen/Snow-Covered Soil
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C. Eastman
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MS
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Soil Physical Characteristics of an Aeric Ochraqualf Amended with Biochar
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D. Florence
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PhD
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Agronomic Land Management Effects on Soil Fertility and Grain Crop Productivity in Western Kenya and Ohio
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Gonzalez-Maldonado, N.
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MS |
Evaluating the Effects of Long-Term No-Till and Crop Rotations in Soil Health and Corn Productivity |
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D. Henry
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MS
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Nitrogen Contribution from Red Clover for Corn Following Wheat in Western Ohio
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M. Herman
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MS
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Laboratory Evaluation and Soil Test Phosphorus Trends in Ohio
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J. Kendall
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PhD
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Soil Microbial Ecology Associated with Disease Control of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerium in Cucumis sativus Cultivation
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P. Kolka-Jonsson
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MS
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Carbon Sequestration and Soil Development Under Mountain Birch (Betula Pubescens) in Restored Areas on Southern Iceland
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| 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 |
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M. Lane
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MS
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The Effect of Glyphosate on Soil Microbial Communities
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| N. Lee |
MS |
Long Term Glyphosate Effects on Roundup Ready Soybean Rhizosphere Microorganisms |
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B.H. Massawe
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PhD
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Digital Soil Mapping and GIS-based Land Evaluation for Rice Suitability in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania |
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J. Obrycki
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PhD
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Managing Soils For Environmental Science And Public Health Applications |
| 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 |
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T. Roy-Chowdhury
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PhD
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Carbon Flow Through Methanotrophs During Methane Oxidation Using 13C-PLFA Stable Isotope Probing
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S. Sekar
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MS
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The Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India
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A. Selhorst**
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PhD
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Carbon Sequestration by Home Lawn Turfgrass Development and Maintenance in Diverse Climatic Regions of the United States
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A. Sengupta
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PhD
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Studying Methanotrophic Bacterial Diversity in Ohio Soils Using High- Throughput Sequence Analysis
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J. Stinner**
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PhD
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Effects of Agroecosystem Management on Water Quality in Multiple Watersheds in 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 |
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J. Tvergyak
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MS
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Organic By-Product Materials as Soil Amendments
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| A. Vascik |
MS |
Physiographic Mapping of Ohio’s Soil Systems |
| J. Wade |
PhD |
Soil Health and Nutrient Dynamics in Agroecosystems of the Midwestern US |
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M. Walia
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PhD
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Gypsum and Carbon Amendment's Influence on Soil Properties, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
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| 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
