I came across an interesting story from NPR today, entitled “The Old And Mysterious Practice Of Eating Dirt, Revealed“. It’s about the ancient practice of eating soil (or mineral deposits), often called Geophagy. I’ve heard about this practice in a few of the soil science classes I’ve taken over the years, and in a “WorldContinue reading “Soil Science in the News: Eating Dirt”
Category Archives: In The News
Citizen (Soil) Science: Predicting 17 Yr Cicada Arrival
The 17 year cicada (genus Magicicada) will emerge on the American east coast again this year in just a few days. As nymphs (grubs) they feed on the xylem fluid of deciduous tree roots. The xylem in plants is basically the tubes through which water and nutrients flow as it moves from the roots to theContinue reading “Citizen (Soil) Science: Predicting 17 Yr Cicada Arrival”
Nature Geosciences: Rare Earth Scientists
I came across an interesting article recently in Nature Geoscience called “Rare Earth Scientists” that discussed how there is a large demand for scientists in the earth science fields, yet the availability of scientists is falling short. Here are some interesting parts of the article: As a result of these emerging job opportunities for geoscientists,Continue reading “Nature Geosciences: Rare Earth Scientists”
Soil Science In The News: “The Dust Bowl” by Ken Burns
PBS is currently broadcasting “The Dust Bowl” documentary film series by Ken Burns. It’s a series of movies about one of the most tragic environmental disasters to ever face the United States. The description of the films on PBS’s website reads: THE DUST BOWL chronicles the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history, in which the frenzied wheatContinue reading “Soil Science In The News: “The Dust Bowl” by Ken Burns”
Unlocking Ancient Maya Secrets With Modern Soil Science
When I see an interesting story involving soil science in the news, I like to post them here for my reading audience. One story I’ve seen in a variety of places is about a research article posted in the Soil Science Society of American Journal entitled Upland and Lowland Soil Resources of the Ancient Maya atContinue reading “Unlocking Ancient Maya Secrets With Modern Soil Science”
Earthworm Invasion: Good or Bad for Soil
I came across a news article put out by the BBC. It was entitled Earthworm Invasion: Aliens Causing More Harm Than Good? by Jeremy Coles and Matt Walker. It is an interesting article, and an interesting soil science topic. I recommend going and reading that article first, then come on back to ColbyDigsSoil to read the restContinue reading “Earthworm Invasion: Good or Bad for Soil”
Soil Science In The News: Mars Science Laboratory
You may have heard about the successful landing of NASA’s Curiosity Rover on Mars this morning. The Curiosity Rover, also known as the “Mars Science Laboratory” (MSL) is the latest of several unmanned missions to the red planet to study its formation, and the possibility that it could, or previously has supported life. The landingContinue reading “Soil Science In The News: Mars Science Laboratory”
Soil and Water Stewardship Week
This is just a quick post for today. June 29 through May 6 is Soil and Water Stewardship Week, as declared by the governors of Iowa (my home state) and Oklahoma in their respective states. The Conservation Blogger (the blog brought to you by the Soil and Water Conservation Society) had a great post onContinue reading “Soil and Water Stewardship Week”
Soil Science on the Late Show
When I’m not trudging around in a swamp, mixing up chemicals in a lab, writing something on a computer, or partaking in one of my many hobbies, I enjoy my fair share of TV. Last night I was staying up later than I should and was watching The Late Show with David Letterman. His guestContinue reading “Soil Science on the Late Show”
Colby Digs Soil 