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701-0501-00L 3 Credits BSC D-USYS , D-BAUG , D-CHAB

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Pedosphere

Pedosphäre

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Ruben Kretzschmar

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:47:31

Abstract

Introduction to the formation and properties of soils as a function of parent rock, landscape position, climate, and soil organisms. Complex relationships between soil forming processes, physical and chemical soil properties, soil biota, and ecological soil properties are explained and illustrated by numerous examples.

Objective

Understanding of soils as integral parts of ecosystems, development and distribution of soils as a function of environmental factors, and processes leading to soil degradation.

Content

Definition of the pedosphere, soil functions, rocks as parent materials, minerals and weathering, soil organisms, soil organic matter, soil formation, principles of soil classification, global soil regions, physical soil properties and functions, chemical soil properties and functions, soil fertility, land use and soil degradation.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Polybook

Literature

- Scheffer/Schachtschabel - Soil Science, Springer, Heidelberg, 2016. - Brady N.C. and Weil, R.R. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 14th ed. Prentice Hall, 2007.

General Information

Language: German
Levels: BSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 90 minutes
Aids: Keine. Ein Hilfsblatt wird an der Prüfung zur Verfügung gestellt.
Digital: The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Pedosphäre	Thu 10:15-12:00 (HG G 3)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Environmental Engineering Bachelor
- 5. Semester
  - Elective Blocks
    - Elective Block: Soil Protection
Environmental Sciences Bachelor (Students can choose between one Bachelor thesis of 10KP or two Bachelor theses of 5KP each. In principle, all professors and lecturers involved in the teaching of the Environmental Sciences degree programme are entitled to supervise a Bachelor's thesis (BA). BA in the area of social sciences and humanities can only be supervised by lecturers who teach in this area. The same applies to BA in the field of natural sciences and technology. If the thesis is supervised by a person who does not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme or who does not have ETH lecturer status, then the student has to fill in the "Form for supervisors of a Bachelor thesis who do not teach in the Environmental Sciences degree programme" Link)
- Basic Courses II
  - Examination Blocks
    - Examination Block 2
Agricultural Sciences Bachelor
- Basic Courses (Second Year)
  - Examination Block
Interdisciplinary Sciences Bachelor
- Physical-Chemical Direction
  - 3. Semester (Physical-Chemical Direction)
    - Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)