XVI International Botanical Congess

Historically, soil genesis has been attributed to the 5 soil forming factors (climate, time, biological activity, topography, and parent material). Recently, human activity has been introduced as the 6th factor. With an increasing number of post-industrial sites being reclaimed, chemical and physical processes governing the development of these soils and their relationship to soils that form naturally, are poorly understood. Differences and similarities exist between the processes of soil genesis under natural and altered conditions. Case studies will be presented. The impact of an active soil remediation project on soil chemical and physical development will be addressed. Field observations and lab results from Fe-Mn slag indicate similar mineral composition and degradation capacity for anthropogenic compounds when compared to mineral and natural soil systems.