[1] A model is presented here to explain the generation of surface material on Mars using chemical, magnetic, and spectroscopic data from Mars and geologic analogs from terrestrial sites. One basic premise is that the dust/soil units are not derived exclusively from local rocks, but are rather a product of global, and possibly remote, weathering processes. Another assumption in this model is th...

An understanding of soil fragmentation during aggregate breakdown is useful in studies of erosion, tillage and traffic. Modelling efforts in soil fragmentation has largely focussed on characterisation of the size and mass distribution of aggregates using fractal approach and less on the nature and magnitude of the applied energy that produces fragmentation. In this paper, we report a model of s...

Colloid release and deposition in soils and sorption of inorganic and organic pollutants to soil colloids are strongly influenced by the composition and chemical heterogeneity of colloidal soil particles. To investigate the chemical heterogeneity of organic soil colloids at the particle scale, we used synchrotron scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and C-1s near-edge X-ray absorption ...

Abstract. In this paper we derive a model for the diffusion of strongly sorbed solutes in soil taking into account diffusion within both the soil fluid phase and the soil particles. The model takes into account the effect of solutes being bound to soil particle surfaces by a reversible nonlinear reaction. Effective macroscale equations for the solute movement in the soil are derived using homog...

Background: Cattle manure (CM) is the most common organic fertilizer used by farmers. However, its usually slow decomposition leads to the use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, experiments on nano- and micro-sized particles of CM were conducted to evaluate the possibility of accelerating its decomposition in soil. Methods: The effects of a sole application of CM in different sizes (nano-, mi...

Understanding of soil processes is essential for addressing the global issues of food security, disease transmission and climate change. However, techniques for observing soil biology are lacking. We present a heterogeneous, porous, transparent substrate for in situ 3D imaging of living plants and root-associated microorganisms using particles of the transparent polymer, Nafion, and a solution ...