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
June 16, 2025
Field Tested: Students Gain Leadership and Land Management Skills in the Southwest
Penn State and New Mexico State University students participated in a groundbreaking field course, Landscapes and Land Management of the Greater Southwestern USA, funded by a SAFES Engaged Scholarship and Experiential Learning grant. The program combined classroom instruction with a 10-day expedition across the Southwest, where students gained hands-on experience in soil science, ecosystem management, and outdoor leadership. Working alongside federal land managers, tribal communities, and leading scientists, students deepened their understanding of environmental challenges and cultural contexts. The course not only enhanced student skills and career readiness but also benefited external stakeholders through knowledge exchange, mentorship, and future workforce development.
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April 24, 2025
Study Maps the Soil and Hydrological Legacy of Historic Irish Raised Beds
Geopedological survey reveals centuries-old cultivation systems still shaping soils and microhabitats in northwestern Ireland.
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October 28, 2024
Study Identifies Mid-Atlantic Region Hotspot for Infant Botulism, Links to Soil Types
A new study has found that a 17-county area in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States has a significantly higher incidence of infant botulism (IB) than the rest of the country, and the study also links this higher incidence to specific soil types. The research, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, highlights a concerning health disparity and points to potential environmental factors contributing to the disease.
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September 1, 2024
SOILS PhD Student's Research Highlights Cadmium Contamination in Cacao Farms and Proposes Management Strategies
PhD student Daniel Guarin from Penn State has published groundbreaking research addressing cadmium (Cd) contamination in cacao farms, a pressing issue for the global chocolate industry.
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