Soil Agriculture Toxicology Review Soil Importance Function Medium

Soil, Agriculture, Toxicology Review

Soil � Importance? � Function � Medium for plant growth, nutrient recycling, filters water, Habitat for bacteria, microbes, fungi, insects, animals � How formed � What is humus? � Breakdown of rocks/minerals from below � Deposition of organic matter from above � What factors influence formation and/or properties � Parent material � Climate � Topography � Organisms � Time

Soil � Particle size � sand, silt, clay �Soil Triangle � Which soil type is best for farming �Loam: 40/40/20 �What does color indicate � Chemical & Physical Qualities /properties: Chemical Physical p. H Porosity/permeability Nutrients: N, P, K Texture/feel Organic matter (humus) Composition: % sand, silt, clay Salinity (Salinization) Erosion Ion exchange capacity Compaction Heavy metals Profile analysis: depth of horizons Trace elements Color

Soil Profiles: Describe each horizon/layer Leaching Downward movement of water carrying dissolved minerals & organic matter

Soil Biomes �Describe soil in following biomes � Desert � Grassland/Praire � Tropical Rainforest � Taiga/Coniferous/Boreal/Evergreen forest � Deciduous/Temperate Forest

Hunger �Causes �Strategies to combat �Golden Rice �Main sources of calories worldwide �Increasing meat consumption �Maximize calories � Trophic level �Feed lots & Aquaculture � Benefits / problems

Agriculture � Describe, benefits, problems � Traditional / Subsistence farming � Industrial / Conventional farming � Organic Farming � Genetic diversity � Seed banks � Green Revolution � GMO � Pros / cons � Irrigation � Types, problems � Salinization � waterlog

Conservation �Conservation practices � Contour, terracing, strip, shelterbelt, cover crop, no till, polyculture, intercropping, agro forestry, crop rotation, buffer zones �Erosion �Desertification �Fertilizers � Organic / synthetic

Pest management � Pesticides � Benefits / problems � Resistance � Pesticide treadmill � Bioaccumlation / biomagnification � IPM � Describe / Goal � Rachel Carson � DDT � EPA � US Laws � FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act) � FFDCA (Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act) � FQPA (Food Quality Protection Act) � Stockholm Convention � Dirty dozen

Hazards �Biological � Infectious diseases: � Species barrier • AIDS: tribesmen eating bush meat (chimps) • Mad Cow: feeding sheep parts to cows • Lyme disease - ticks • Hantavirus – mice/rats • swine/bird flu

Hazards �Chemical � Mutagens, carcinogens, teratogens, neurotoxins � Endocrine disrupters: BPA (bisphenol A, phthalates) �“Gender Benders” � Bhopal, India

Hazards �Cultural � smoking, poor diet, unsafe sex, drugs, unsafe working conditions, and poverty.

Toxicology �LD 50 �Risk – 75% Disease � Developed �cultural � Developing �Infectious � Overall �Poverty �Toxicity factors � Dose � Exposure � Genes / Sensitivity � Fat Soluble � Persistence � Children risk factor � Eat/breathe/drink more per body weight � Put stuff in mouth � Immature immune system � Antibiotic resistance � Synergistic / antagonistic

RISK ANALYSIS – World – cause of death

RISK ANALYSIS – US – cause of death

Probability of death in the US

Actual cause of death in the US Suicide

Reduce Disease �Both infectious & cultural � Reduce poverty � Slow pop growth � Improved nutrition � Reduce pollution: air/water/soil � Reduce overuse of antibiotics � Vaccinations � Clean water � Hand washing/hygiene