Course detail

Soil Chemistry

FCH-MA_ENG8Acad. year: 2025/2026

Chemical processes of soil development, Mobilization and precipitation of soil components, Sorption, ion exchange, Sesquioxides, soil redox processes and their role for mobilization and immobilization of nutrients and pollutants, Relation between speciation, bioavailability, toxicity and mobilization, Discussion of the current status and experiences in the laboratory exercises, Case-oriented investigation of a location for contaminants and soil chemical parameters, Methods of soil chemical analysis, contaminant analysis including planning, sampling, sample preparation, enrichment, purification, Techniques of sequential extraction for inorganic and organic compounds, instrumental analysis and sum parameters, Advanced knowledge of chromatography and spectrometry, Evaluation of analysis results in the ecologic and legislative context.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Vojtěch Enev, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection (ÚCHTOŽP)

Entry knowledge

basics of general and analytical chemistry

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

written test, for E is necessary to answer at least 50% of questions
none

Aims

The students know and understand the soil chemical processes and their relevance for soil quality, soil development, as well as for the transport, bioavailability and toxicity of contaminants. The knowledge of instrumental analysis is deepened. The students are able to plan and perform a soil chemical analysis (nutrients, soil parameters and contaminants) and to evaluate and judge the analysis result in the ecological context as well as in the context of current environmental laws.

The students know and understand the soil chemical processes and their relevance for soil quality, soil development, as well as for the transport, bioavailability and toxicity of contaminants.
The knowledge of instrumental analysis is deepened.
The students are able to plan and perform a soil chemical analysis (nutrients, soil parameters and contaminants).
Students are able to evaluate and judge the analysis result in the ecological context.
Students have basic knowledge on current environmental laws.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Alfred R. Conklin Jr. (2005): Introduction to Soil Chemistry. Wiley (EN)
Appelo, C.A. J., Postma, D. (1994): Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. Balkema, Rotterdam (EN)
Foth, H.D. (1990) Fundamentals of soil science. Wiley. (EN)
György F. (1999) Soil Chemistry: Processes and Constituents. Akadémiai Kiadó. (EN)
Sparks, D.L. (2008) Environmental soil chemistry. Acad. Press. (EN)

Type of course unit

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Vojtěch Enev, Ph.D.

Laboratory exercise

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Vojtěch Enev, Ph.D.

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Vojtěch Enev, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Chemical processes of soil development.
Mobilization and precipitation of soil components.
Sorption, ion exchange.
Sesquioxides, soil redox processes and their role for mobilization and immobilization of nutrients and pollutants.
Relation between speciation, bioavailability, toxicity and mobilization.
Discussion of the current status and experiences in the laboratory exercises.
Case-oriented investigation of a location for contaminants and soil chemical parameters.
Methods of soil chemical analysis, contaminant analysis including planning, sampling, sample preparation, enrichment, purification.
Techniques of sequential extraction for inorganic and organic compounds, instrumental analysis and sum parameters.
Advanced knowledge of chromatography and spectrometry.
Evaluation of analysis results in the ecologic and legislative context.