Penn State Soil Characterization Lab
Soil is an integral part of ecosystem function. There are 29 million acres (11,735,884 hectares) of soil in Pennsylvania supporting: wetlands; forest lands; agricultural lands; urban lands; homes, businesses, and roads; our drinking and wastewater filtration. Without soil, these activities and functions would be much more difficult and in some cases even impossible, for soil is as precious to our lives as the very blood in our bodies.
Research in the Soil Characterization Laboratory focuses on people’s use of landscapes and the accompanying changes in soil function across the larger ecosystem the soil supports. Dr. Drohan’s research group addresses basic science questions, but also demonstrates how this new knowledge can be applied to improve land management and ecosystem stability.
Soil Characterization Lab News
October 26, 2022
Penn State Soil Judging Team places 3rd at regional tourney; headed to nationals
Penn State’s student Soil Judging Team recently captured third place overall in a regional competition to qualify for the national championships next spring.
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March 23, 2022
New Grant: Innovative strategies to manage Philadelphia’s soils
A team of Penn State researchers will develop recommendations and protocols for the testing and management of soils for safe production of garden and food crops in urban settings, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
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January 20, 2022
MS students Emily Lesher and Sam Bayuzick graduate!
Both students accomplished an incredibly hard feat, especially given they were in graduate school during COVID.
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October 9, 2021
Lab members Elka Hoelsken and Abby Owens featured in Penn State news
This past summer, Hoelsken worked as an undergraduate researcher with Abigail Owens, a graduate student in soil science. Owens is studying the effect of Penn State’s Living Filter and wastewater practices on local soil. They searched for iron concentrations and depletions in the soil and bedrock that might interrupt the supply of groundwater.
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