Soils all over the Earth’s surface are rigorously tested and managed. But what about soils that are down in the murky depths?
Soils all over the Earth’s surface are rigorously tested and managed. But what about soils that are down in the murky depths? Although not traditional soils, underwater soils have value and function. Some scientists are working to get them the recognition and research they deserve.
One of these scientists is Mark Stolt from the University of Rhode Island. He and his team are working to sample and map underwater soils.
“Considering that nearly half of the United States population lives within coastal counties, these soils impact many of their lives relative to commercial, recreational, and transportation activities,” he explains. “Soil maps provide a mechanism to manage these areas and make fundamental use and management decisions that affect people every day. Unlike land, you can’t put a price on underwater soils.”
Underwater soils are affected by human activities such as dredging, aquaculture, and restoration, all of which affects water quality. In dredging, layers of the underwater soil are removed to make room—for example, to allow the bottom of a ship to pass. That soil has to go somewhere. If put on land the effects can be unknown.
Read more at American Society of Agronomy
Image: Taking a soil core from underwater soil is a bit trickier than soil that's on the surface. Scientists have to utilize boats and plunge the sampling equipment through water and down into the soil. (Credit: Mark Stolt)
