Know Soil, Know Life Glossary
This glossary is designed for more advanced explorations of soil science terms and words. The words and definitions are from the SSSA Book Know Soil Know Life.
Not finding a word? Try the advanced Glossary of Soil Science Terms. Too advanced? Check out the Young Scientists glossary for introductory words and definitions.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Biodiversity |
The degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Often used as a measure of health of an ecosystem. |
| Biological Nitrogen Fixation |
Conversion by prokaryotic microorganisms of molecular dinitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere to ammonia for organismal use. |
| Biomass |
Mass of living tissue. |
| Biome |
A large geographic region with similar environment and distinctive a plant and animal community. |
| Bioremediation |
The use of biological agents, such as bacteria or plants, to remove or neutralize contaminants from polluted soil or water. |
| Biosolids |
Sludge (municipal treatment plant solids) that has been further treated, tested, and determined to be safe for land application. |
| Biosphere |
The regions of the surface and atmosphere of the earth or other planet occupied by living organisms (the biota, or living organisms). |
| Bioturbation |
Mixing of the soil by organisms—worms, ants, moles, tree roots. |
| Black Blizzard |
A colloquial term for a dust-storm in the dust bowl of the south-central United States. |
| Brownfield |
Abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities or sites available for re-use or redevelopment. |
| Buffer |
Ability of the soil to replace ions in soil solution removed by plant uptake or other loss processes |
| Buffers (Buffer Strip) |
Strips of perennial plants, such as grasses, along borders of fields or water bodies. |
| Bulk Density |
The mass of dry soil per unit bulk volume. The value is expressed as megrams per cubic meter, Mg m-3. |
| Cairns |
Human-made pile or stack of stones set up as a landmark or memorial. |
| Capillarity |
Combination of the attractive forces between a water molecule and a surface (adhesion) and the attractive forces between water molecules (cohesion). |
