Tracer Techniques in Soil and Plant Studies

                                                        

List of Courses of the Board of Study

Course No	Course Title	Credits
First Semester
SS 5101	Fundamentals of Soil Science	1
SS 5102	Physical Properties and Processes in Soils	2
SS 5103	Mineralogical and Chemical Properties of Soils	3
SS 5104	Plant Nutrition	2
SS 5105	Introduction to Tropical Soils	1
SS 5106	Environmental Pollution and Control	2
SS 5107	Formation and Characteristics of Tropical Soils	2
SS 5108	Soil Ecosystems and Their Functions	2
SS 5109	Microbial Ecology	3
SS 5110	Environmental Soil Physics	3
SS 5111	Environmental Soil Chemistry	3
SS 5112	Soil Plant - Water Systems	3
SS 5113	Environmental Microbiology	2
SS 5151	Management of Soil Organic Matter	2
SS 5152	Analytical Techniques in Soil, Plant, Water & Fertilizer	3
SS 5153	Soil Morphology and Classification	2
SS 5154	Plant- Microbe Interaction	2
SS 5155	Management of Tropical Soils	3
SS 5156	Water quality and Environment	2
SS 5198	Directed Study	2
SS 5199	Seminar	1
SS 6101	Tracer Techniques in Soil and Plant Studies	2
Second Semester
SS 5201	Soil Fertility and Fertilizers	3
SS 5202	Advanced Plant Nutrition	2
SS 5203	Degradation and Conservation of Soils	2
SS 5204	Soils of Sri Lanka	1
SS 5208	Field Characterization of Soils	2
SS 5209	Land Use Planning	2
SS 5210	Environmental Microbiology	2
SS 5251	Organic Pollutants and Environment	2
SS 5252	Environmental impact of inorganic pollutants and radio- nuclides	3
SS 5253	Solid waste and environment	2
SS 5254	Environmental Biotechnology	2
SS 6201	Techniques for Efficient Plant Nutrient Management	2
SS 6202	Environmental Mineralogy	2
SS 6203	Land Use and environment	1
SS 6204	Remediation of Contaminated Soil and Water	2
SS 6205	Advanced Instrumentation in environmental research	2
SS 6206	Soil Environmental Modeling	2

List of Courses

 

Course No	Course Title	Credits	Option
First Semester
SS 5101	Fundamentals of Soil Science	2	Compulsory
SS 5110	Environmental Soil Physics	3	Compulsory
SS 5111	Environmental Soil Chemistry	3	Compulsory
SS 5113	Environmental Microbiology	2	Compulsory
SS 5152	Techniques in soil plant, water & fertilizer analysis.	3	Compulsory
SS 5198	Directed Study	2	Compulsory
SS 5199	Seminar	1	Compulsory
SS 5109	Microbial Ecology	3	Elective
SS 6101	Tracer techniques in soil and plant studies	2	Elective
AE 5107	Water quality and Environment	2	Elective
AE 5152	Environmental Impact Assessment	2	Elective
Second Semester
SS 5251	Organic Pollutants and Environment	2	Compulsory
SS 5252	Environmental impact of inorganic pollutants and  radio-nuclides	3	Compulsory
SS 6203	Land use and environment	1	Compulsory
SS 6204	Remediation of contaminated soil and water	2	Compulsory
SS 5204	Soils of Sri Lanka	1	Compulsory
SS 5254	Environmental Biotechnology	2	Elective
SS 5253	Solid waste and environment	2	Elective
SS 6202	Environmental Mineralogy	2	Elective
SS 6205	Advanced instrumentation in environmental research	2	Elective
SS 6206	Soil Environmental Modeling	2	Elective
ST 6202	Design and analysis of experiments	2	Elective
CS 5212	Scientific writing and proposal formulation	2	Elective

COURSE CAPSULES OF THE BOARD OF STUDY IN SOIL SCIENCE

Courses Offered in the First Semester

            Fundamentals of Soil Science (2)

            Soil formation. Physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, Soil as a medium for plant        growth, Soil as a sink and source of Environmental pollutants

            SS 5102. Physical Properties and Processes in Soils (2)

            Physical properties of soils. Mass volume relationships. Soil rheology and trafficability. Soil       water. Measurements of water status in soil. Flow of water in soil. Water and energy balance.     Tillage and soil structure management. Soil strength. Soil temperature. Heat and gas flow.

            SS 5103. Mineralogical and Chemical Properties of Soils (3)

            Basic chemical, structural and crystallographic concepts. Classification, structure, surface            chemistry, genesis, weathering, identification and distribution of soil minerals. Influence of            minerals on soil properties. Mineralogy of Sri Lankan soils. Nature and properties of organic       constituents, chelates and clay humus complexes. Ionic distribution on colloids. Flocculation and dispersion of soil colloids. Adsorption / Desorption of ions and ion exchange in soils. Soil   acidity, alkalinity, salinity and sodicity. Reactions of submerged soils and redox phenomena.

            Kinetics of soil chemical reactions.

            SS 5104. Plant Nutrition (2)

            Occurrence and availability of plant nutrients and beneficial elements in soil. Mechanisms of           nutrient absorption,  translocation and excretion. Functions of nutrients in plants. Deficiencies        and toxicities of nutrients in plants and their diagnosis. Managing nutrient imbalances.

           

            SS 5105  Introduction to tropical soils (1)

            Tropical environment: climates and moisture regimes, Soils of tropics; fertility, productivity,   and sustainability. Compare and contrast tropical and temperate soils

           

            SS 5106. Environmental Pollution and Control (2)

            Pre-requisite: SS 5103

            Sources of pollutants and contaminants; fertilizers, pesticides, solid wastes, sewage sludge,            toxic metals, metalloids, soluble salts, radio-nuclides, soil sediments and atmospheric    depositions. Transformation, mobility and persistence of pesticides, toxic metals, metalloids and           other organic and inorganic pollutants in soil environment. Impact of pollutants on ecosystem    health; eutrophication, siltation of reservoirs, pollution of groundwater, soil and air, narrowing         of soil biodiversity. Remediation of contaminated soil and water bodies. Regulatory measures and policies to control pollution.

            SS 5107. Formation and Characteristics of Topical Soils (2)

            Pre-requisite: SS 5102 and SS 5103

            Tropical environment and the soils of the tropical belt. Management of tropical soils.  Differences between tropical and temperate soils. Sustainability and productivity of tropical           soils.

            SS 5108. Soil Ecosystems and their functions (2)

            Population ecology , structure, dynamics and interactions. Food webs, Biogeochemical cycles          and flow of energy. Primary production. Community succession and disturbances. Biodiversity    and soil productivity. Soil quality and sustainability. Ecosystm conservation.

            SS 5109. Microbial Ecology (3)

            Microbial Evolution. Microorganisms in their natural habitats-air, water and soil. Spatial             heterogeneity and temporal variability of microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial habitats.     Respond of soil and aquatic microorganisms to environmental perturbations. Adaptations to             extreme environmental conditions and to host. Microbial interactions, communities and      ecosystems. Techniques in microbial ecology, enrichment, isolation and characterization. Ecological theories in microbial ecology - Neo Darwinism vs. Communities, Diversity vs.   Stability.

            SS 5110. Environmental Soil Physics (3)

             Prerequisite: SS 5102

            Soil as a product of environment, Environmental Significance of Soil Texture, Structure,        Density and Porosity, Soil moisture constants and consistency. Soil air quality. Significance of          environmental factors on soil temperature. Saturated and unsaturated flow of water and their   effects on the environment. Solute movement with special emphasis on transport of       contaminants. Relationship of soil groups with the Environment. Spatial and temporal   variability of soils and their environmental impact. Application of geo-statistics in studying the             spatial structure.

            SS 5111. Environmental Soil Chemistry (3)

             Prerequisite: SS 5103

            Review of chemical principles. Application of thermodynamics to soil systems; mineral/solid phase solubility, precipitation, sorption, complexation, ion exchange equilibria. Activity-ratio        diagrams for describing chemical equilibria in soil systems. Advanced techniques used for solid and solution phase speciation including hands-on experience with geochemical speciation       models. Application of chemical kinetics to soil reactions. Oxidation-Reduction reactions and   their environmental significance. Sources, reactions, transport, fate and bioavailability of      chemical species in soils. Predicting fate of contaminants and pollutants using mathematical            modeling. Significance of soil chemistry on food, water, and air quality.

            SS 5112. Soil-Plant-Water Systems (3)

            Course to be taken only by NRM students Soil, their properties and functions. Soil resources of    Sri Lanka. Nutritional aspects of plants. Fertilizers, organic manures, crop residues, their uses     and effects on environment. Soil management and conservation. Soil degradation and          desertification. Pollution of natural resources soil, water and air.

            SS 5113.  Environmental Microbiology  (2)

            Microbiology of biogeochemical cycles. Enzymes in the soil environment; interactions with         colloids, inhibition and kinetics. Microorganisms as a sink and source of environmental        pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Biotransformation and biodegradation of     environmental pollutants. Bioaccumulation and food chain contamination of heavy metal and          xenobiotics. Principles of biological treatments.

           

            SS 5151. Management of Soil Organic Matter (2)

            Organic and inorganic phases of soil: Chemical composition and characterization of soil organic     matter. Role of soil organic matter in improving soil fertility. Composting techniques. Use of      organic materials in agriculture; compost, green manure, crop residues, farm yard manure etc.         Concepts of organic and biodynamic farming systems.

            SS 5152. Techniques in Soil, Plant, Water and Fertilizer analysis (3)

            Principles of volumetry, gravimetry, colorimetry, tubidimetry, neflometry, flurometry,      flamephotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry and potentiometry analytical techniques.             Sampling and sample preparation for analysis. Errors in analysis. Quality assurance and quality         control. Determination of basic soil properties. Extraction of soil nutrients. Analysis of soil,            plant, water and fertilizers for elements.

            SS 5153. Soil Morphology and Classification (2)

            Soil forming processes. Soil morphology. Soil profile description. Soil survey. Historical        background of soil classification. Systems of soil classification; FAO classification and soil            taxonomy. Soils of Sri Lanka and their classification. Classification of rice growing soils.

            SS 5154. Plant-Microbe Interactions (2)

            Nature of phyllosphere and rhizosphere. Diversity of phyllosphere and rhizosphere              microorganisms. Signal  transduction and host specificity. Di-nitrogen fixation. Mycorrhizae. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Plant growth regulators, phytotoxins and allelo-       chemicals. Plant-microbe interactions and ecosystem stability.

            SS 5155. Management of Tropical Soils (3)

            Soils of the tropical belt, their formation, characteristics and classification; Differences between   tropical and temperate-zone soils; Soil development and land use in the tropics; Sustainability      and productivity of tropical soils; Management of tropical soils; Problem soils of the tropics,    their properties and management; Soil degradation under tropical conditions; Soil conservation             and rehabilitation of degraded soils in the tropics.

            SS 5156. Water quality and Environment

            Significance of water for global sustainability, Properties of water and forms in nature, Global             water availability in qualitative and quantitative terms, Water cycle, Uses (common and     specific) and quality requirements, Measurements and monitoring water quality parameters,       Sources and causes of water pollution, Ground water quality, Influence of land management on      water quality, Social and economic dimensions of water pollution, Mitigation of water pollution, Purification methods, Responsibilities and ignorance of water users.

            SS 5198. Directed Study (2)

            Candidate should carry out an independent research project on a topic related to degree program          as recommended by the advisor. The minimum period of Project will be 3 months.

            SS 5199. Seminar (1)

            SS 6101. Tracer Techniques in Soil and Plant Studies (2)

            Basic principles of radioactivity, its detection and measurement. Hazards of radioactivity and        safety measures. Radioactive waste management. Atomic energy regulations. Tracer     methodology, mass spectrometry, photo spectrometry and auto radiography in ion uptake, root          activity, root distribution and soil organic matter investigations. Studies on fertilizer efficiency.         Use of stable isotopes in studying C and N dynamics in soils. Use of isotopes in assessing soil         erosion and fate of nutrients and pesticides.

7.11.3.2 Courses Offered in the Second Semester:

            SS 5201. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers (3)

            Pre-requisite: SS 5104 and SS 5105

            Factors affecting plant growth. Historical background of fertility management. Soil fertility           parameters and interpretations. Assessment of soil fertility. Sustainable management of soil    fertility. Fertility based crop selection. Basic aspects of fertilizers, manure and amendments.      Manufacture and standards of chemical fertilizers. Types of fertilizers. Formulation of fertilizer mixtures. Composting. Biofertilisers. Amendments to improve soil fertility. Efficient use of           fertilizers. Organic farming. Fertilizer recommendations.

            SS 5202. Advanced Plant Nutrition (2)

            Prerequisite : SS 5104

            Status of nutrients in plant tissues. Plant water relationship. Physiological pathways of nutrients.    Nutrient interactions in plant and soil. Relationships between nutrients and pest and diseases.       Nutrition and yield responses and yield quality. Nutrient stressed conditions in plants and         adaptations.

            SS 5203. Degradation and Conservation of Tropical Soils (2)

            Types and nature of soil degradation. Soil degradation under tropical conditions. Soil erosion.   Mystification, Stalinization, nutrient depletion and imbalance in agricultural soils. Soil        subsidence, compaction, desertification etc. Rehabilitation of degraded soils. Mechanical and          agronomic conservation measures with special reference to Sri Lanka. Legal aspects of soil   conservation.

            SS 5204. Soils of Sri Lanka

            Agro-ecological regions, Soil and their distribution, Potentials and limitations for agriculture,     Environmental concerns

            SS 5208. Field Characterization of Soils (2)

            Site / location description. Identification and relevance of soil horizons / layers, rocks and        stones. Estimation of mottles, stones, organic matter, particle size classes, soil water.       Description of structure and aggregate stability, packing density, consistence, root abundance and level of erosion. Determination of carbonates, soil reaction, salinity and nutrient status.             Sampling equipment, commercial and self prepared field soil kits, indicator plants. Overall      fertility assessment.

            SS 5209. Land Use Planning (2)

            Basic concepts of land use planning. Land suitability evaluation. Land classification. Present            and past land use planning in Sri Lanka. Present land use and land cover mapping. Remote             sensing and GIS. Economic and social aspects related to land use. Crop requirements.         Watershed approach in land use planning. Land suitability for different crops, pasture and    forestry sector. Implementing land use plans.

            SS 5210. Environmental Microbiology (2)

            Microbiology of biogeochemical cycles. Microorganisms as a sink and source of environmental            pollutants. Microorganisms in wetlands and their impact on environmental pollution and control. Biotransformation, biodegradation, bioaugmentation of environmental pollutants. Bioaccumulation and food chain contamination of heavy metals and xenobiotics. Use of          biosensors and bioindicators in ecotoxicity monitoring. Biological treatment of solid and liquid           waste. Impact of soil and aquatic microorganisms on human health.

            SS 5251. Organic Pollutants and Environment (2)

            Prerequisite: SS 5103 and SS 5105

            Nature of organic pollutants. Fate of organic pollutants in soil and water: retention,              transformation, catabolic pathways: metabolites, enzymes and genes, leaching and             volatilization. Fate of hydrocarbons in soil and water. Toxicity of organic pollutants with an            emphasis on pesticides. Impact of organic pollutants on ecosystem. Risk Assessment.

            SS 5252. Environmental impact of inorganic pollutants and radio-nuclides (3)

            Prerequisite: SS 5103

            Soil and air pollution by fertilizers. Sources of toxic metals and metalloids. Contamination of       water sources use for domestic purposes and irrigation. Eutrophication. Speciation of metals in        soil and water. Biogeochemical behaviour of inorganic pollutants. Impact of toxic metals and      metalloids on plants, microorganisms and animals. Radionuclides; Sources of radionuclides:        Fallout radionuclides deposited on soils. Transfer to crops and migration to groundwater.    Decontamination of groundwater.

            SS 5253. Solid Waste and environment (2)

            Common types and composition of solid wastes. Contamination of soil and water with waste.      Immediate impacts on physical, biological and chemical properties of soils. Transformation of      wastes. Accumulation and residual effects on soils. Risks of translocation. Capacity of soils to     buffer adverse impacts. Overall effects on soil health. Appropriate application methods, rates         and environmental law. Social responsibility and attitudes.

            SS 5254. Environmental Biotechnology (2)

            Trends in the development of soil biotechnology, Technology and ecology of genetically      engineered microorganisms. Soil microorganisms as biofertilizers, biopesticides and agents of    bioremediation; potentials and limitations, Commercialization and legal aspects. Case Studies.

           

            SS 6201. Techniques for Efficient Plant Nutrient Management (2)

            Prerequisite: SS 5201 and SS 5103

            Land preparation, Fertilizer/amendments application techniques including fertigation. Integrated            plant nutrient management in agriculture. Crop specific nutrient supply with special emphasis           on horticulture and floriculture crops. Media preparation and nutrient management in protected   agriculture; soil less cultures/ hydroponics.

            SS 6202. Environmental Mineralogy

            Minerals in soil environments, Geochemical-biological cycle of toxic elements, Bedrock          geochemistry and stability of secondary phases, Soil-solution-mineral interaction, Properties of       soil mineral surfaces.

            SS 6203. Land Use and Environment (1)

            Land use. Land use systems in Sri Lanka. Impact of urbanization on land use. Assessment of            land use. Measures to control misuse of lands.

            SS 6204. Remediation of Contaminated Soil and Water (2)

            Sources and environmental consequences of hazardous inorganic and organic toxicants.        Remediation of soil and water. In-situ, and ex-situ methods of remediation of contaminated soils. Physical, chemical and biological remediation techniques; their potentials and limitations.     Some case studies describing use of these different techniques to solve real world, soil/water           pollution problems, and their success and failures. Application of different remediation             techniques under Sri Lankan conditions.

            SS 6205. Advanced Instrumentation in Environmental Research (2)

            Electron microprobe analysis, Infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction techniques, X-ray   fluorescence   spectrometry, Chromatography, GC-MS,  Isotopic analytical techniques,  Electro-  chemical techniques, Techniques used for solid- and solution-phase chemical speciations with      sample studies, ICP-AFS / MS.

            SS 6206.  Soil Environmental Modeling (2)

            Concepts and processes of modeling, Soil water interactions, formulations of models and     solution techniques; Verification and calibration, Chemical speciation models, redox and      adsorption models, Application of water flow and solute transport models, Use of software         codes such as VMINTEQ, MODFLOW, PEST, MT3DMS, QSAR, LEACHEM etc. Simulation   models for biochemical processes and bacterial growth.