Protocol eTraining
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Update: The Pedosphere training modules are now web-based and are available for all to access. The other web-based sphere modules will be available in April 2024.
Pedosphere (Soil)
As of 2021: Please note that the email address for the GLOBE Community Support team has changed, but this change has not been reflected in the eTraining slides. For questions regarding eTraining module content, email globehelp@ucar.edu.
This module provides an overview of the protocols of the GLOBE Pedosphere Investigation. It also explains how to define soil study sites for both Soil Moisture and Temperature and for Soil Characterization. After completing it, you will be prepared to learn any soil measurement protocols.
Learn how to collect soil temperature measurements in the field using a calibrated soil thermometer.
Take your soil moisture investigation techniques to the next level! Build upon your knowledge of gravimetric soil moisture and bulk density procedures to also account for volumetric soil moisture content. Plan your investigation based on when NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite will overfly your soil investigation site.
Supporting Material:
In this virtual lab experience, you simulate measuring soil moisture and soil bulk density following the GLOBE protocol for SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) soil moisture and bulk density measurements.
Learn how to collect soil samples from the field, then determine the soil water content by calculating the difference between the wet sample mass and the dry sample mass. You will be able to relate soil moisture measurement to the physical and chemical properties of the soil. In this instance, gravimetric means determining the amount of moisture in the soil by weight.
This module provides step-by-step instructions on how to characterize soil by its structure, color, consistency, texture and abundance of roots, rocks and carbonates. First, learn how to select, expose and define a Soil Characterization protocol study site. Then, review how field samples of soil are collected and characterized.
Supporting Material:
This supplementary module includes instructions for collecting samples from your soil profile so that you can conduct lab analyses back in your classroom or laboratory.
Learn how to collect soil samples from the field using a container with a known volume. Then, build on soil analysis procedures from the Soil Moisture (Gravimetric) and Soil Characterization protocols to determine the mass and volume of dry soil, as well as the mass and volume of rocks. Use these values to calculate "soil bulk density," which is a measure of how tightly packed the soil is.
Learn how to build your own soil infiltrometer using metal rings and determine the rate at which water soaks into the ground as a function of time. Build upon your knowledge of gravimetric soil moisture collection and analysis techniques to determine the saturated soil water content.
Learn how to construct and install a frost tube. Review the steps for using this device to determine how deep the soil freezes (known as the frost depth) during the cold months.