Soil Science helps find archaeological sites

Soil Research journal’s top 10

The Huon Valley atures fe at the Hobart Soil Science Conference 2012

Profile is the quarterly n ewsletter of Soil Science Australia Issue 168 | March 2012

Editor’s note Hello again,

In time for this issue the CSIRO has increased the discount offered to members of Soil Science

Australia to 20%. Details w about ho to laim c the discount are on . page 26 Soil Science Australia and Profile Information 3 President’s Report ______4 You might notice in this issue that ASSSI has gone AWOL from Profile? We are now using the name Articles ______6 Soil Science Australia uniformly throughout the Archaeology and soil science...... 6 magazine. From tailings to soil? ...... 9 Top of Soil the Research Pops ...... 10 We are in need of articles for the next issue of ASSAY – the National acid sulfate soils newsletter 11 Profile, so nyone a with any ideas or submissions Soils of the World ...... 12 please get in touch with me at Tasmanian soil science conference field trip ...... 13 [email protected] Members ______15 I’ve enjoyed the articles from Robert van de Graaf Obituary – Bill Emerson ...... 15 in this and the previous issue as examples of 2012 Soil Science Australia Awards ...... 16 creative practical application of soil science New members ...... 17 principles. It’s my t view tha there is room in Support for tudents s to attend events ...... 17 Profile for anecdotal stories of applied soil science CPSS ______18 as well as research findings, so if you have been CPSS Program evolving to meet new demands ..... 18 involved in any interesting work please consider New CPSS Board for 2012...... 19 sharing your stories with us. Making the CPSS OPD powerful Diary a tool in Also, we have an enquiry about which are the best career development ...... 21 hand augers. Could anyone with experience Accreditations ...... 22 and/or an opinion let me know their views and I Branch Reports ______23 will compile something for the next issue. Queensland ...... 23 Submissions for the next issue need to be in by 31 South Australia ...... 25 May 2012. Events ______27 Best wishes, Contacts ______30 Soil Research – latest issue ______31 Stephanie Alt, Volume 50 Number 1 2012 ...... 31 Profile editor

Cover: Geologist Adrian Slee standing on the north Back cover: This issues’s soil of the om world is fr the bank of the Huon River at Slees Cutting, where Yelarbon Desert, on the QLD/NSW border in layered sandy aeolian deposits associated with southern inland Queensland. Photo: Andrew Biggs. dunes have been dated 34 ka BP, and overlie Article page 12. bouldery ver ri gravels and glacial moraines. The Huon Valley features in one of the tours of the 2012 Australian and New Zealand Soils Conference in Hobart, December this Photo: year. P.D. McIntosh Article page 13 .

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 2 OF 32

SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA AND PROFILE INFORMATION

Soil Science Australia and Profile Information Soil Science Australia is the he name that t Australian ety Soci of Soil Science Inc. uses for public activities. The Society was founded in 1955 to work towards the advancement of soil science in the professional academic and technical fields. It comprises a Federal Council and seven : branches New South Wales, Queensland, Riverina, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Liability of members is limited. ABN: 96 080 783 106 Website: http://www.soilscienceaustralia.org

SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA OBJECTIVES Ÿ To promote the field il of so science Ÿ To further the expertise in soil science of members Ÿ To be a forum for discussion on soil science Ÿ To increase government and community awareness of soil science Ÿ To liaise and cooperate with other support organisations in of mutual interests Ÿ To encourage research and extension in soil science Ÿ To promote wise management of the soil resource throughout Australia

MEMBERSHIP For all Soil Science Australia membership and CPSS application and renewal enquiries go to www.soilscienceaustralia.org or contact Linda Bennison at [email protected], phone 03 5635 2370.

FEDERAL COUNCIL MINUTES Federal Council meetings are housed on our web site under the Members log in portal.

Profile CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions to Profile are welcome. Please email the contributions to editor at [email protected]. Send photos as separate attachments. Please suggest a caption for each photo and provide the name of photographer. Profile is published in March, June, September and December. Contributions n need to be i by the end of the month preceding the issue.

ADVERTISING Advertising in Profile is welcome but must be relevant to some aspect of soil science. Rates including ( GST) for advertising are full page half $264, page $121, quarter page $44, back cover full page $330. Brief information about conferences, courses and scholarships is published free. For advertising enquiries, contact the editor at [email protected].

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE DUE MARCH 31 MEMBERSHIP If you have not SUBSCRIPTIONS yet paid your DUE fees for 2011 please make late NOW If you have not yet payments paid ASAP your fees for 2012 please go to www.soilscienceaustralia.com.au/index.php/paymentsClick here to pay subs now

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 3 OF 32

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President’s Report Richard MacEwan, CPSS-­‐3 New Society Officers The New Year has brought changes in the CPSS board with the departure of all previous board members and appointment of Steve Raine (QLD) as the new chair and Annie McNeill (SA), Rob Loch, and Bob Paterson (NSW) as board members. Thanks are owed to Cam as Grant who h done an excellent job as the board chair for the last two years; thanks also to our long-­‐standing board members Larry White, David McKenzie, Pam Hazleton and Stuart MacNish who have all given up much of their time to ensure smooth running of the accreditation scheme. Please read Steve’s article on the CPSS scheme and the new board on . page 18 We also have a new treasurer for Botta Federal Council. Cath (VIC) has replaced Jack Holland (RIV). Thanks to Jack for his work as treasurer for the last three years. Soil RD&E strategy Political progress is being made on a proposal ectoral for a cross s RD&E soils strategy. Ian Thompson, chair of the soils task group reporting to the Primary Industries Standing Council (PISC) has requested representation on the soils RDE reference group from the society, particularly to represent consultancies. ngsworth Ian Holli has been recommended as our representative. He will report to CPSS board and Federal Council. I encourage anyone interested in this to advise nnison. our EO, Linda Be An email list of members who wish to participate in the rocess consultative p will be created to allow communications via Ian Hollingsworth. Australian Soil Information Symposium Arrangements for the have been humming along and r the program is on ou website. This event is very significant for soil science in Australia and the timely as it occurs after the meeting of the PISC (on March 23rd) at which the cross-­‐sectoral Soil RD&E strategy proposal will be considered. Society Patron The soil information symposium will be the first society event to be attended by her excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC, governor of Queensland ng since agreei to be patron of the society. In discussion with her office for about the protocols this event I received encouragement for us to engage more with her excellency, in particular the Queensland branch should consider opportunities se to u the Patron for the public face of the society. Calendar Production of an ‘Australian Soils’ calendar has ed been coordinat and managed by Rebecca Lines-­‐Kelly for the last three years. Rebecca is his unable to commit t for the 2013 calendar but is prepared to liaise with ed the designer who prepar the original template. Someone is needed to take on the task of collating photographs, running the selection process and taking a major role in soliciting the texts and editing the calendar. Is this something that we want to produce this year? Are you the person for the job?

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

IUSS inter-­‐congress meeting I hope to attend -­‐ the inter congress meeting of the International Union of Soil Sciences in the first week of June to participate in council meetings and learn more about the operations of the IUSS. Australia has always had through a role in the union representation of Australians as divisional chairs or -­‐ co chairs and on working groups. Currently we have the past president (Roger Swift), retary the deputy sec general (Alex McBratney), 2 -­‐ sub divisional chairs (Stephen Cattle and Jock Churchman) and one working group chair (Leigh Sullivan). re Agenda items a still being accepted for this meeting and should be sent to Alfred [email protected] Hartemink ( ). Fellowship membership proposal We acknowledge excellence in the society ut by giving o awards and medals (get your nominations in now for this year’s round), but perhaps edge we should also acknowl leadership and excellence in soil science by having a ‘Fellow’ status. This has been discussed in the society previously (see Soils ve News in the archi for issues 78 and 79 in 1989) but was defeated when put to a vote by ls 231 for and 80 against (Soi News 83, 1990). By the time of the next AGM in December I expect to have a proposal for Fellowship of the society, to put to the e vote again, so pleas let your voice be heard. Robert White is investigating how this kindred works in some societies. WCSS surplus funds The highly successful 19th World Congress generated a surplus over budget of $124,000. Graham Price has agreed to chair a sub committee for Federal Council to consider the best management of these funds. Several ideas were put forward by the organising committee and these will form the starting point for Graham’s committee.

Soil Science Australia’s executive officer Linda Soil Science in Australia publication Bennison on our society stand at the NCCMA Following the Congress we produced soil forum. Note the new banner to the right. These banners are available for use at branch a special publication ‘Soil Science in events. Photo: Richard MacEwan Australia’. This was glossy a print publication that focussed on the organisation and execution of the Congress, costing around $15,000 to print and post to members and several hundred ‘stakeholders’. The Federal Executive have agreed to produce another special ion publicat before the end of this year. This would have a broader focus and be aimed at informing a more general audience, beyond the members of the society, about the scope of work carried out in soil science in Australia and profiling some significant themes. If you can feel that you give some time to help with providing or editing content please h get in touc with me or nison. Linda Ben We hope with to attract some advertising to offset some if of not all of the costs production. Vale W.W. (Bill) Emerson We lost a guished distin colleague on February th 6 and I have sent sympathies to his family on behalf of the An society. obituary by Richard Merry, Rob Fitzpatrick and Jock Churchman appears on page 15.

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ARTICLES | ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOIL SCIENCE

Articles Archaeology and soil science Robert van de , Graaff CPSS-­‐3 ( with input from David Rhodes of Heritage Insight).

Over the last two years I have been involved in some interesting applications of soil science and geomorphology to help archaeologists in their search for sites that contain many Aboriginal artefacts -­‐ from Pre Settlement times. Robert van de Graaf. The areas eastward from Berwick towards Pakenham are Photo: Linda Bennison part of a corridor along the Princes Hwy with rapidly changing land use as another “Growth Melbourne. Area” of Greater It is Government policy that these lands be investigated for potential iginal presence of Abor artefacts before wholesale excavation and filling destroy s. the richest site A local company, Heritage Insight Pty Ltd, ogical carries out archaeol surveys and excavations, ollecting c and recording artefacts. Heritage Insight d has used ol soil maps of the area in the hope of narrowing down the e sites where Aboriginal peopl would have preferred to camp and where they might e have left much evidenc of their tools and occupation. Ian Allan of Geocode Mapping and Analysis, a geographic information expert, and I pooled our experiences and started to look at the project areas, Green Hills and an area north of Henry Road, Pakenham, in terms of their geomorphology and topography. In this general area, there is much low lying, rather wet country and any uplands would provide permanently dry ground with good views over the surrounds, possibly useful in offering a variety of hunting and gathering environments. Green Hills was mapped as a granitic outcrop within a broad expanse of Quaternary alluvial silt, clay and sand (Figure 1). On the southern slopes there were a number -­‐ of well filled farm dams, notwithstanding years of drought. It was a peculiar feature of these dams that they were at least halfway up the slope and not in a drainage line (Figure 2). One of them had brackish water. It dawned upon us the dams were developed by the farmers where there was a hill side

Figure 1. Green Hills is located at the lower spring that probably runs all year occurrence of granite (Dg) round -­‐ surely an attribute of a good camp site. The brackish water may also have been an attraction in terms

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 6 OF 32

ARTICLES | ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOIL SCIENCE of its salt content. The hill top had the beginnings of laterite formation and probably was a good highly permeable area for rain infiltration. When there we checked the soil to see from where it came, liberating the sand fraction by washing out all fines under a tap it showed that all quartz and other hard grains were well must rounded, and therefore have been part of an old alluvium that covered the granite. Hills, At the base of Green the sand fraction liberated the same way had all highly angular sharp-­‐edged quartz, derived from the underlying granite. On the Green Hills property, archaeological excavation found that remains of past Aboriginal campsites occurred predominantly thin wi 200m of the waterholes, on both the hill and higher elevations of the floodplain. Some of the archaeological sites identified contained intact elements (deposits one of st artefacts). Analysis of the stratigraphic and spatial distribution of these efacts stone art has provided evidence of some activities that were occurring at Aboriginal campsites in the past. Although the soils appeared to be an older tric alluvium, radiome dating of a hearth associated with an archaeological site on the floodplain yielded a recent date of 1390+/-­‐ 37 BP (Wk 22626).

Figure 2 Hill slope dams (springs) are numbered a, b, c, and d, whereas e and f are dams in drainage lines. -­‐ Granite derived angular sand grains are found in dam b. SS stands for “soil scrapes” where trenches were or dug to look f artefacts.

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ARTICLES | ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOIL SCIENCE

At the Henry Road site, we found the best re areas for artefacts we on the crest of an old alluvial fan running down towards the south. Walking across the fan I was struck by the very shallow, but continuous grassed “spoon drain” that ran along most of its length. It took a couple of hours of discussion with Ian Allan, who kept prodding me about this (Why would a farmer need a spoon drain along the crest of an elongated sloping land form?), before I hit upon the idea that this spoon drain was the final vestige of the old stream that built the fan, but had now slipped off it to a deep valley along the west. Checking the aerial c photo with ontours superimposed afterwards, the old stream is very clear, as well as t a few wet spots tha are or were probably useful soaks or springs during Aboriginal occupation. Radiometric dating of one charcoal sample at 600mm yielded a date of 2,255 -­‐ +/ 41 BP (Wk27299) and a second charcoal sample at 700-­‐800mm was dated to -­‐ 3,183 +/ 30 BP (Wk27300). Deposits of stone artefacts were found in the alluvial fan from the surface to a depth of 1100mm, in sand overlying a ferruginous clay layer. Investigations are still underway to determine whether the stone artefacts om are derived fr successive episodes of occupation by Aboriginal people or whether the observed distribution is the product of natural processes, such as bioturbidity. s However, the date obtained from the sand deposits are consistent with the types of stone technology represented in the assemblage at that depth. 3131 3030 3131 2929

2828

3030 3030 2727

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2626 2828

2727 2626

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0 100 200 metres

The blue line represents the elevated stream channel that follows the spine of the old fan. Springs or soaks emerge to the left. Note also the white line that follows the spine of a secondary fan on the right which may be a cattle track.

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 8 OF 32

ARTICLES | FROM TAILINGS TO L? SOI

From tailings to soil? Talitha Santini, PhD candidate (Soil Science), UWA Talitha Santini submitted her PhD thesis in March 2012; and is currently continuing her research in bauxite residue remediation in a postdoctoral capacity at McMaster University, Canada, in collaboration with UWA. Talitha was awarded Best Student Presentation at 2011 the WA Soil Science Conference

‘Cap and store’ approaches to tailings management are increasingly being replaced by in situ remediation initiatives, in which plant cover is established directly in the tailings material. In situ remediation involves changing tailings properties (e.g. pH, EC) from very low (pH 1-­‐3) or very gh hi (pH 9-­‐13, EC >4 mS/cm) values -­‐ to plant tolerable values, by way of applied treatments and weathering. cit Pedogenesis is impli in in situ remediation strategies because establishment of s plant cover i usually the end goal. Identification of processes and thresholds controlling soil formation on tailings deposits is essential to achieving in rapid situ remediation and establishment of plant cover. In the case of bauxite residue, the major barriers are to plant growth the high pH and salinity of fresh residue, followed by lack of biological activity, organic matter and available plant macro-­‐ and micronutrients, and a massive, apedal structure which causes waterlogging and limits root penetration. As part of my PhD project investigating soil xite formation in bau residue deposits, I sampled four bauxite residue field sites (Linden, Guyana; Corpus Christi, Texas; Bauxite, Arkansas; and Sao Luis, Brazil) to investigate uence the potential infl of initial residue properties, age, applied treatments e.g. ( sewage udge, sl pyritic mine spoil, green waste), and climate upon the weathering and trajectories pedogenetic processes occurring within the residue deposits. Chemical (pH, EC, titratable alkalinity, extractable/exchangeable plant nutrients, total elements), mineralogical (XRD, amorphous Fe/Al/Si/Mn oxides) and physical (particle yses size) anal were performed to evaluate the extent of soil formation under the s various treatment at each site. `At the recent WA Soils Conference, I presented results from the Texas field site, which was closed in 1967 and had sewage sludge, sewage sludge + tree/lawn waste, sewage sludge + clay soil, dredge spoil and shale-­‐rich topsoil applied as treatments during the last 20 years. A good vegetation cover is present over most site of the , with development of a crumb-­‐like to blocky structure near the surface under some treatments (and gravelly concretions under others). Significant differences in a variety of soil as properties such pH, EC, alkalinity, organic C, total N, and cation exchange capacity with depth are indicative of horizon development and support visual observations of soil formation. Sewage sludge appears to be a key ingredient in reducing pH and building up carbon and nitrogen in the Texas field site. Differences in the chemical and mineralogical ties proper of the bauxite residue in response to applied treatments suggests that thresholds and feedback loops in soil formation can be targeted to accelerate in situ remediation of bauxite residue and other tailings materials. Such targeted approaches would minimise time and money required l for successfu remediation, and ensure a satisfactory outcome for industry and stakeholders. Top: A rumb c to blocky structure under Acknowledgements: Financial support for this work was provided Australia by Alcoa of and sewage sludge treatment. Above: A patch of BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Pty. Ltd., a Minerals arch and Energy Rese Institute of gravel developed from untreated barren Western Australia scholarship, and a Geoffrey Kennedy graduate UWA Post Research mud. Photos: Talitha Santini Travel Award.

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ARTICLES | TOP OF THE SOIL ARCH RESE POPS

Top of Soil the Research Pops Stephanie Alt

Have you ever wondered what the soil ty science communi thinks are the most important issues and emerging research information? Do the most read research papers help us guess what The these are? journal Soil Research (formerly Australian Journal of Soil Science) collects statistics on which papers are most frequently downloaded. The top ten papers over hree the last t years, by individual download were: 1. An investigation into the reactions of il biochar in so Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(7) -­‐ Published 28 September 2010 S. D. Joseph, -­‐ M. Camps Arbestain, Y. Lin, P. Munroe, . C. H. Chia, J Hook, L. van Zwieten, S. Kimber, A. Cowie, B. P. Singh, J. Lehmann, Smernik N. Foidl, R. J. and J. E. Amonette 2. Agronomic values of greenwaste biochar ndment as a soil ame Australian Journal of Soil Research 45(8) -­‐ Published 7 December 2007 K. Y. Chan, L. Van Zwieten, I. Meszaros, A. Downie and S. Joseph 3. Characterisation and evaluation of biochars pplication for their a as soil a amendment Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(7) -­‐ Published 28 September 2010 Balwant Singh, Bhupinder Pal Singh and Annette L. Cowie 4. Soil microbial biomass—Interpretation and consideration for soil monitoring Soil Research 49(4) -­‐ Published 19 May 2011 V. Gonzalez-­‐Quiñones, E. A. Stockdale, N. C. Banning, e, F. C. Hoyl Y. Sawada, A. D. Wherrett, D. L. Jones and D. V. Murphy 5. Use and understanding of organic amendments alian in Austr agriculture: a review Soil Research 49(1) -­‐ Published 4 February 2011 J. R. Quilty and S. R. Cattle 6. Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-­‐term experiments Soil Research 49(4) -­‐ Published 19 May 2011 K. Y. Chan, M. K. Conyers, G. D. Li, A. K. R. Helyar, G. Poile, Oates and I. M. Barchia 7. Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments Australian Journal of Soil Research -­‐ 46(5) Published 5 August 2008 K. Y. Chan, L. Van Zwieten, I. Meszaros, A. Downie and S. Joseph 8. Nitrous oxide emission from Australian lands agricultural and mitigation options: a review Australian Journal of Soil Research Published 41(2) 8 April 2003 Ram C. Dalal, Weijin Wang, G. Philip Robertson and William J. Parton 9. The role of biochar in modifying the environmental fate, bioavailability, and efficacy of pesticides in soils: a review Australian Journal of Soil Research -­‐ 48(7) Published 28 September 2010 Rai S. Kookana 10. Chemical and structural properties of carbonaceous cts produ obtained by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation of corn stover Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(7) -­‐ Published 28 September 2010 A. B. Fuertes, M. Camps Arbestain, M. -­‐ Sevilla, J. A. Maciá Agulló, S. Fiol, R. López, R. J. Smernik, W. P. Aitkenhead, F. Arce and F. Macías Congratulations to these authors. A list of papers included in the most recent issue of Soil Research is on page 31.

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ARTICLES | ASSAY – THE NATIONAL ACID SULFATE SOILS NEWSLETTER

ASSAY – the National acid sulfate soils newsletter Simon Walsh & Chrisy Clay

Since its first issue was published back in ASSAY March 1993, has provided a regular and reliable conduit for knowledge-­‐sharing between the members national of the acid sulfate soils ASS ( ) community. This makes ASSAY possibly the longest running NRM newsletter in the country. ASSAY was initially printed as a -­‐ one page, double sided A4 update for the north coast of NSW. ASSAY has since grown to a comprehensive electronic newsletter that is freely distributed each quarter, to over 1200 readers nd across the nation a overseas. Subscribers are linked by their common interest ate in acid sulf soils and they include scientists, farmers, fishermen, local council staff, policymakers, developers, land managers, government agencies, students and . engineers One of the unique features of ASS t as an issue is tha it can impact on so many people from quite different backgrounds across the nation. This diversity heightens the importance of a communication tool that provides information pitched at an appropriate level with often highly technical aspects discussed in a user-­‐friendly way. ASSAY allows and encourages its readers to others benefit from each experiences, by both celebrating the successes and learning from common pitfalls. Little was known about ASS as an issue prior to a landmark fish kill event in the Tweed River in 1987. Since its inception ASSAY has continued to report on the significant advances that have been made in the ASS field: coordination, communication, funding, research, mapping, remediation, and industry involvement. As our understanding of acid sulfate soils has improved, so has our knowledge of where the soils can be found. Initially, acid sulfate soils were thought to be confined to the coastal regions of northern NSW. They are now known to exist right around Australia, including at high elevations (800 metres in Tasmania) and well inland from the coast -­‐ (Murray Darling Basin). Jarosite (formed by the oxidation of iron sulfides) has even been found on Mars! Now going into its nineteenth year of production, ASSAY continues to be the country’s primary source of accessible Orange iron staining ong al a NSW information on acid sulfate soils. ASSAY has north coast waterway. survived numerous departmental Photo: Chrisy Clay amalgamations and has successfully secured resources from various funding programs to ensure its continuity. ASSAY went electronic in December ng 2009, enabli cheaper production costs, easier distribution, plus facilitating the greater use of colour images, graphs and diagrams. The costs of producing ASSAY are now shared partnership in an equitable between the Federal, State and Territory governments. 60 Nearly issues have been published, the most recent 40 of which are electronically now available . To subscribe to ASSAY, please contact: [email protected]

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ARTICLES | SOILS OF THE WORLD

Soils of the World This is a very unusual soil on our own continent. The Yelarbon Desert is on the QLD/NSW border in southern inland Queensland, between Inglewood and Goondiwindi. It is a large area (~40 km2) of alluvia that has been affected by long-­‐term natural upwelling of Great Artesian Basin groundwater. Due to the water high being in Sodium bicarbonate the soils have become extremely alkaline and c. extremely sodi The highest pH measured to date is 11.3 and the 100%. highest ESP approaches The area is severely degraded from both natural downcutting and over-­‐grazing. It is home to a range of unique ncluding flora i Melaleuca densispicata and the eastern-­‐most occurrence of spinifex Triodia ( spp) in southern Queensland. Thanks to Andrew Biggs, CPSS-­‐3.

The Yelarbon Desert in Southern Queensland. ew Photo: Andr Biggs

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ARTICLES | HOBART AUS & NZ SOIL SCIENCE CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP

Hobart Aus & NZ soil science conference field trip Mt Wellington & Huon Valley – SOIL STRATIGRAPHY and LANDSCAPE HISTORY Dr Peter McIntosh and Dr , Richard Doyle CPSS-­‐3

This field trip will examine the soil profiles, soil stratigraphy of and landscape history the Huon Valley and Mt Wellington areas. The tour will be led by Dr Peter McIntosh (Forest Practices Authority), and Dr Richard Doyle (University of Tasmania). The trip will start on Mt Wellington, the 1200 m dolerite peak which also provides impressive views of beautiful Hobart, before moving south to Huonville, Cradoc Hill and the native forest areas of the Arve Valley. The tour will conclude at a Quaternary site conveniently sited at the Home Hill winery, where we will have a meal and can sample the local wines. On Mt Wellington we will see not only the effect of deep weathering, but also boulder movement under periglacial conditions. Some boulder fields have been dated by cosmogenic dating techniques. We will discuss periglacial processes and the significance and age of red weathering. We then move south to the Huon estuary, to examine a possible Last Interglacial palaeosol at Woodstock, terrace gravels deposited in the penultimate Dolerite ‘talus’ is a widespread soil parent glacial (or earlier), sodic soils, and material in Tasmania, formed by slope alluvial fans. At Cradoc Hill is a deep instability. Forester Terry Ware inspects accumulation of sediment dated c. two dolerite talus layers, one very 27 000 ka BP, initially thought to be bouldery, possibly relating to freeze-­‐thaw aeolian but now interpreted to be conditions during the late Last Glacial, and in part alluvial with colluvial a strongly weathered lower layer additions. This raises the question probably formed in the early Last Glacial, or earlier. Photo: P.D. McIntosh of what were the climatic PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 13 OF 32

ARTICLES | HOBART US A & NZ SOIL SCIENCE CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP

conditions that allowed a palaeosol to form in the middle of this sediment pile? In the Arve valley we will not only see some of the managed native forests in the Huon catchment but we will also see Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) sand dunes in an area at present receiving >1500 mm rainfall, and the oldest (>60000 ka BP) and deepest aeolian accumulation in Tasmania. At Home Hill we will inspect the curious layered fine screes (grèze litées?) with clay bands that accumulated in the LGM and which indicate very dry conditions in southeast Tasmania, down to present-­‐day sea level. Here we will discuss the broader connotations for the LGM climate of southeast Australia. The pleasant surroundings of the Home Hill vineyard will allow us to ruminate on weighty issues of stratigraphy, past climate and landscape history while enjoying a good meal and local wines. The Last Glacial Registration for the 2012 Joint climate was much Australian and New Zealand drier an th at present. Quartzose Conference Soil Solutions for Geologist Adrian Slee standing on the north dune sands dated Diverse Landscapes, 2 – 7 bank of the Huon River at Slees Cutting. 19 ka BP by December, Hobart, Tasmania, Photo: P.D. McIntosh thermoluminesce-­‐ is now open. nce occur in a region now receiving >1500 mm rainfall per year. P.D. Photo: www.soilscience2012.com McIntosh

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 14 OF 32

MEMBERS

Members Obituary – Bill Emerson Richard Merry1, Rob Fitzpatrick1,2 CPSS-­‐3, and Jock Churchman2 ( 1CSIRO Land and Water; 2The University of Adelaide)

Dr Bill Emerson, a distinguished soil scientist and Research Senior Principal Scientist in CSIRO, died in Adelaide on 5 February, 2012, aged 86. As well as being an internationally renowned soil scientist, Bill has been a friend and mentor to CSIRO staff for over 40 years (he retired in 1990, after 33 years on the staff and a further 12 years as honorary post-­‐retirement fellow). For his achievements in soil science, Bill was awarded the prestigious Prescott Medal of Soil ralian Science by the Aust Society of Soil Science in 1992 and an Honorary Life Membership of the Society in 2002. The South Australian Branch of the Society also honoured him in with a named lecture 2009. His scientific work over the years represents a major contribution to world soil science, agriculture, and also civil engineering, especially for understanding interparticle bonding in soils and clays in relation to water movement, aggregate stability and the effect of cations on clay dispersion. Bill’s work helped to provide answers to practical problems and evidence of this is the famous ‘Emerson dispersion test’ (Australian Standard 1289, C8.1, 1980), which grew from his work on simple tests to predict piping failure in farm dams. This test classifies soils and clays into eight classes based on the fracturing, swelling and dispersion of soil aggregates when immersed in water. Bill Emerson was born in Dr Bill Emmerson London in 1925. He was educated at Oxford University (BA in mathematics and physics, 1946) and London University (PhD 1953) and worked at the Rothamsted Experimental Station before relocating with his young family to the Division of Soils, CSIRO, in Adelaide elaide, in 1957. In Ad Bill joined the Soil Physics section of a laboratory that was replete with expertise in all aspects of soils and his work contributed to its recognition as a world leader in soil science for about 30 years into the 1980s. He spent periods in the USA 1961-­‐2 and 1970 and also contributed to an ACIAR project on rice-­‐growing soils in the Philippines. By hed 1957 he had publis three papers in the international science journal Just ‘Nature’. one paper in ‘Nature’ is a prestigious, and often unfulfilled, achievement h for any researc scientist. He published about 70 articles, mostly as journal papers and book chapters, and s wa senior

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 15 OF 32

MEMBERS author or sole author of most of them. papers The large number of that he authored alone reflected his unique way of working, apparently often carrying out simple experiments for a practical objective. He was a t true experimentalis and largely shunned the large expensive equipment (including sophisticated t computing) tha underpins much current research. His early research interest in applying e his knowledg of physics and mathematics to agriculture probably started in his youth while ive helping a relat grow onions. At Rothamsted and Cambridge in England his research included r explaining wate conduction by severed plant roots and why ned mole drains retai their integrity. He also investigated how large synthetic polymer molecules interacted with ays cl as a way of understanding the stabilising of soil crumbs with organic matter. On relocating to Australia, he continued interests. with these His work always had a practical imperative, as exemplified by his tralia early work in Aus on the failure rth of ea dams for farm and domestic water supplies. He found that this was caused by high levels of sodium held on the surfaces of the clays, which dispersed under the influence of fresh water and eventually led to piping and dam failure. Later in his h researc life, he began to look at the various effects of the different common exchangeable cations in soil, calcium, sodium and magnesium, on the physical properties of soils, and on the binding of herbicide molecules to clays. He contributed with others to blems pro of foundation design from soil movement caused by wetting and drying. He also worked on overburden ure and mine spoil fail in the coal mining industry and at Ranger uranium mine in the Northern Territory. Bill was a modest and innovative scientist who h was motivated by bot practical needs and genuine curiosity. He successfully applied rly an apparently fai theoretical field of research to a wide range of practical problems. Bill was always friendly and a true gentleman, and lived his productive s life a a scientist in an open, unselfish manner that is uncommon these days. Many scientists will miss a colleague from whom they learnt much. He was a good bridge player, d liked cricket an a chat, and was partial to a glass or two of champagne. He is survived by his five wife, four children and grandchildren.

Vale William Walcott (Bill) Emerson -­‐ (1925 2012)

2012 Soil Science Australia Awards Nominations for five Society Awards in 2012 are now open. Ÿ Publication Medal – for a paper based on scientific relevance merit, to soil science, and effectiveness in communicating the paper’s reader. contents to the Ÿ J.A. Prescott Medal of Soil Science – for an outstanding contribution to . soil science Ÿ C.G. Stephens PhD Award in Soil Science – for the best PhD thesis in soil science granted by an Australian University in 2011. Ÿ L.J.H. Teakle Award – for outstanding effort in promoting and raising the awareness of soil science in Australia via activity SOCIETY with the and the wider community. Ÿ JK Taylor OBE Gold Medal in Soil Science -­‐ for excellence in both research and the reporting of that research by publication.

For all the details and nominations www.soilscienceaustralia.org forms go to For further information please contact the Federal Secretary Lucy Burkitt via email at [email protected] Nominations close on the 31st of May 2012 and need to be Federal submitted to the Secretary with a copy Federal to the Office.

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MEMBERS

New members Matt Hemingway G’day Soilies, My tertiary studies took place at Macquarie y Universit where I learnt many interesting g thin s about girls, partying and Buddhist ideology. , Soils were not on my radar. I completed my degree of Environmental Management in 2010, and accepted a full time position with a small environmental consultancy based in Newcastle. It wasn’t until I asked the “how question do I get outside and away from this computer?” that the wonderful world of soil science was revealed to me. Suddenly I found myself in the dry heat of central Queensland, kicking around a clump of dirt at the beginning of a survey month long soil expedition. Looking down at the dirt I thought Geez, I’m going to be sick of this of stuff by the end the month. But it didn’t take long before I started to see soil in a new light, thanks to my knowledgeable and enthusiastic colleagues, and by the end of the month I was excitedly rolling bolus‘s between my palms and eagerly anticipating what o we were going t come across next. It takes one ‘aah ha’ moment – and snap something clicks and you’re changed forever. As of one year ago I couldn’t tell you the and difference between beach s and a cracking clay. Today I have a sound enough understanding of soil science that I can lead out my own field survey team and have had many more ventures ad in NSW and coming QLD. In years I hope to learn as much as earn I have been able to l in this previous year. By joining Soil Science Australia, and continuing to soak up the experience and knowledge of those gracious enough to mentor me, I am hopeful areer and excited about a c in the world of soil science.

New members NSW Darren Fernandez, Sean Harris, Kelly Leedham, Sally McInnes-­‐Clarke QLD Sam Buchanan, Chelsea Dupuis, Lyndon Gordon, Kimberly Lam, Vinod Nath, Stuart Smith, Mitch Thomas, Cameron Traill, Casey Doolette SA Stefan Hasenohr, Brooke Ryan, Edward Scott, Lara Suman Settimio, Lata Verma, Nan Yan VIC Meredith Jay WA Tilwin Westrup

Support for tudent s s to attend events 5th Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping and Pre-­‐Conference DSM Intensive Training Workshop, Sydney, April 2012 Please forward details of your involvement (confirmed or proposed) at the workshop or interest in attending he t intensive training workshop to the federal office ([email protected]). Preference will be given tudents to s who have been members for 12 months. upport S will cover full registration of student attendance but not the conference r. dinne Further info www.pedometrics.org/dsm_oz/training.html Joint Soil Science Australia and New Zealand Society of Soil Science soil conference, Hobart, December 2012 The Society offers financial for support student attendances. Application forms are available from branches and students are encouraged to submit an abstract (due May 18, 2012) to the soil conference. Further information is on conference the web page: www.cdesign.com.au/soilscience2012/pdf_call_for_papers.pdf

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CPSS

CPSS CPSS Program evolving to meet new demands Steven R Raine, CPSS-­‐3, CPSS Chair

As I have recently taken over the role of ditation Chair of the CPSS Accre Board I have been reflecting on the role of professionals and professional h conduct in bot general of money, busi measures true Enough: 2009 J.C. * Gardner, H. and Shulman, L.S. 2005 The professions in Ameri society and the soil nce scie community in particular. While we all believe that we act professionally, (yes, that is what the “P” what stands for in CPSS) is it that defines a profession? One definition of a profession* gives it six common characteristics: 1. A commitment to the interest of clients in particular, and the welfare of society in general 2. A body of theory or special knowledge. 3. A specialised set of professional skills, practices nces and performa unique to the profession. 4. The developed capacity to render judgments with integrity under conditions of ethical uncertainty. 5. An organised approach to learning from experience, both lectively, individually and col and thus of growing new knowledge from the context of practice 6. The development of a professional ponsible community res for the oversight and monitoring of quality in both practice and professional educators. This definition captures the various roles of the individual, the learned Society and the accreditation program in ensuring that the profession adds value to both clients and ness and life. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey. p120 the community while continuing to evolve challenges. in responses to The soil science profession is increasingly lled being ca on to play an active role in assisting the community to make informed decisions he regarding t development and use of soil resources. While the issues and of urban expansion more stringent ca today: crucial but fragile. Daedalus 134(3), 13 environmental controls on industry have been ome with us for s time, the growing conflicts between mining and the agricultural sector will require a new level of professionalism. In this new emotionally and politically charged environment, Certified Professionals need to ensure that they act ethically alue and add real v to society by presenting unbiased and clearly articulated advice ialist on areas of spec expertise. The CPSS program has a solid foundation structure and that has been created over more than a decade of engaging with nity. industry and commu However, the program needs to continue to evolve to ensure that clients intain and the community ma trust in the program and have confidence in the expertise and judgement of individuals accredited as Certified Professionals. Over the next few months, the Accreditation ll Board wi be reviewing various aspects of the CPSS program to ensure that the program hese evolves to meet t changing needs of -­‐ 18. Cited in Bogle, -­‐ clients and community. A new category of Associate CPSS has already been introduced 122 to recognise early career soil science professionals imited with l experience and requiring close supervision. Associates will normally be graduates from relevant degree programs with less than two years of the experience. With introduction of the Associate category, applicants for CPSS Stage e 1 will now requir a minimum of two years professional experience. The Accreditation Board is ently also curr reviewing the accreditation assessment processes and the potential introduction of recognised cific competencies in spe discipline areas in response to increasing government regulation. The Board is interested in your thoughts on these issues and I encourage to you either talk directly with a Board member or send your written comments to [email protected].

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CPSS

New CPSS Board for 2012 Prof. Steven R Raine (Chair) BAgrSc(Hons), MAgrSt, PhD, CPSS-­‐3. Deputy Dean and Associate Dean (Academic), Un iversity of Southern Queensland. Steven Raine is Deputy Dean & Associate Dean (Academic) within the Faculty of Engineering and he Surveying at t University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. He is also Professor of Irrigation and Soil Science and the Science Leader (Irrigation, Soils and Land Resources) he within t National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture. ven Ste has a Doctorate of Philosophy (Soil Physics), Master of Agricultural Studies nd a a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) majoring in Land Resource Science from the University of Queensland. Steven was previously the Program Leader for – “Future Irrigation Practice and Technology” within the Cooperative Research or Centre f Irrigation Futures and has worked as an irrigation specialist for uit Queensland Fr and Vegetable Growers Limited, an irrigation research scientist with the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, and a land resource surveyor with the Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory. He has undertaken irrigation research for the cotton, sugar, etable fruit and veg sectors, conducted soils and irrigation research for the coal seam gas and mining sectors, and provided government advice in relation to water irrigation and resource planning. He lectures undergraduate courses within the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying at USQ in Soil Science and has previously examined the courses Agricultural Science, and Land Studies.

Dr Rob Loch BAgrSc, BA, PhD, -­‐3 CPSS . Principal Consultant, Director, Landloch Pty Ltd. Rob has 40 years experience in the research and application of land management, soil conservation, and land rehabilitation, both nationally and internationally. His experience encompasses dryland and irrigated agriculture, feedlots, forest management, effluent disposal, and minesites. He has particular expertise in the measurement and modelling of soil erosion and sediment movement, in the management of soil profile productivity, and in soil remediation. His research achievements include development of new methods for assessing the erodibility of Australian soils, for measuring sediment properties, and for assessing soil properties that determine infiltration ainfall. rates of r As a consultant, his work d has lea to significant changes in minesite waste dump rehabilitation strategies, and in the management overburdens. of minesite It has also included investigations into the identification and management of dispersive mine spoils, and assessment of a range of waste dump landform design strategies. He is a regular contributor to mining industry training courses on closure and rehabilitation.

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CPSS

Dr Ann McNeill BSc, PhD, -­‐3 CPSS . Senio r Lecturer -­‐ Soil Plant Relations, University of Adelaide. Ann McNeill is the Soils Group Convenor in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. She is also a visiting Professor at the University of Lanzhou in Gansu, PRC and Adjunct Senior Lecturer School in the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England. Ann lectures in soil science and broader ecological issues to undergraduates and supervises postgraduates in applied soil science. She has worked in soil and plant research in agriculture worldwide since 1980 and moved to Australia in 1993. Ann has particular expertise in the use of stable isotopes of to trace the fate applied fertilisers and organic matter mineralisation in ent relation to nutri supply in soil. She currently leads three projects in Australia Grains funded by the Research Council in the areas of soil biology, nutrient (N &P) management tems. and farming sys Ann is also the South Australian co-­‐ordinator for the national Soil Quality program. She leads an ACIAR project in Tibet on -­‐ forage crop-­‐livestock systems and is involved in on ACIAR research nitrogen fixation by cover crops under oil palm plantations in Papua New Guinea. Ann is a member of the South Australian ATSE Crawford Fund committee and has been President of outh the S Australian Branch for the past three years.

Dr Robert A Patterson BNatRes(Hons), MEng, PhD,Postgrad Cert Engineering (water eng) DipEng (env eng) CPSS-­‐3, CPAg, . FIEAust Director Lanfax Laboratories Pty Ltd, Adjunct Associate Professor with the School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, dale Armi . As a soil scientist Robert Patterson specific has expertise in landscape analysis, soil description, soil physical and chemical analysis, salinity and sodicity issues and soil phosphorus cycling. Key achievements include technical advice to local government and private developers in soil science and landscape issues. Robert also holds Certified Agricultural Scientist status with specific expertise in soil management ltural in agricu land use planning, salinity and sodicity issues and fertiliser ements. requir Key achievements include recognition by agriculturalists of technical competence in measuring soil chemical properties and recommending ameliorating strategies. Robert is also an Environmental Engineer with practical l and technica expertise in er wat and wastewater management, soil resource management and sues environmental is related to site assessments, effluent reuse projects and biosolids management. Key achievements in recent projects have been with Armidale Dumaresq Council in relation to effluent and biosolids reuse, providing ongoing assessment for il Guyra Shire Counc for conformance to licence conditions and numerous reuse projects for small packaged treatment works for coastal developments. He also prepares on-­‐site wastewater management plans to meet environmental constraints and comply with state and

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CPSS national guidelines for traditional septic tank d systems, aerate wastewater treatment systems, composting toilets, sand filters, eds evaporation b and other treatment systems for individual lings dwel as well as large subdivisions.

Linda Bennison BApp Sc, DipAppSc, Cert Assoc Mmt, FSAE, Churchill Fellow. Executive Officer Soil Science a Australi and CPSS Board Secretary. Linda provides administrative support to d. the CPSS Boar

Making the CPSS OPD Diary a powerful tool in career development Linda Bennison An integral part of Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) accreditation is the annual Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) Diary. year Every the CPSS must complete a diary and ave h 50 hours of OPD relevant to soil science approved before accreditation is awarded. Ongoing Professional Development involves g undertakin activities that contribute to the professional development of a soil scientist. distinct This is from everyday activities carried out by a soil scientist. Whilst all CPSSs use the same diary to record their OPD, the requirements become more demanding as you progress through the stages of accreditation. The OPD diary lists five core capabilities sks (CC) and a the CPSS to place their OPD activities under one of the five headings; CC1 – professional practice values CC2 -­‐ communication CC3 -­‐ management CC4 -­‐ knowledge CC5 -­‐ the practice of soil science CPSS Stage 1 is for the graduate with xperience at least two years e r o the experienced practitioner without a tertiary qualification. must A Stage 1 CPSS have OPD in at least two of the five core capabilities. CPSS Stage 2 is for the graduate with at least five years of experience. It is the mid career stage of development and additional expertise is expected at this level with OPD to be undertaken in at least three of the five core capabilities. CPSS Stage 3 is for leading professionals than typically with more fifteen years experience. At this stage in a CPSS's career OPD is required in four of the five core capabilities. What purpose does an OPD Diary serve? In a simple context it is a means to gain accreditation. In a professional development context it can offer much more. If you to use the OPD diary record only icient suff OPD to gain accreditation annually you may achieve on accreditati but the diary itself will have limited value to you. However, the OPD diary can also be regarded as an easily maintained and valuable record of your development professional activities and training. By regularly maintaining a list of all your OPD it will provide a snapshot of PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 21 OF 32

CPSS your activities listed within the core capability areas and enables you to identify those core capabilities that you should target to improve your professional skills and knowledge. Making the diary a valuable resource For a junior soil scientist the OPD diary resource can be a tremendous during their career if a systematic approach is taken with the diary. An approach taken by several leading Stage 3 CPSSs with their diaries is worth considering where the OPD diary template becomes a record of all OPD not just the 50 hours required for accreditation. If you decide to take this approach, save the diary as the current year OPD diary and then create a duplicate of the diary and save it as the OPD annual work record. The headings are the same in both files however you k can use the annual wor record spreadsheet to record every major project you have been involved in, every publication you have written, every conference or event you have attended and so on. The first benefit of this action will the be obvious at end of the year when it is time to submit your OPD diary. You will review be in a position to all your OPD entries in the OPD annual work record and then copy and paste a selection of the best OPD activities into the current year diary for the purpose of achieving accreditation. The second benefit is much more subtle. ars Over the ye you are likely to forget many of the projects you have been involved in unless ting you are diligent in upda your CV and Publication List. The OPD diary record can become a useful archive of your soil career that is searchable by key words. are So perhaps when you applying for a job or a tender that requires specific skills and knowledge a quick search through your OPD annual work record worksheets will refresh your memory. Rather than seeing the diary as onerous and tedious ary perhaps consider the di as a useful tool in your career as a professional that soil scientist and one will repay you with valuable information over the years.

Accreditations CPSS Approvals CPSS-­‐3: Robert Edis, John Grant, Bob Holloway.

CPSS-­‐2: Clayton Butterly, Gary Clark, Steve Dudgeon, Evan Howard, Josh Mitchell, Lina Peralainen, Helen Squires, Jacob Tobin

CPSS-­‐1: Nicole Cheung, Emma Briggs, Scott Hayes-­‐Stanley, Matthew Hemingway, Andrew Regan, Amandine Schneider, Kynan Usback

CPSS Current Applications Chitralekha Adhinarayanan Daniel Joyce, Sam Player Stephanie Alt Ona Kanas Pichu Rengasamy Sam Buchanan Jim Kelly Stuart Smith Lawrence Carlson Kimberley Lam Tim Rohde Stuart Derham Kelly Leedham Luke Finn Jack Milbank

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BRANCH REPORTS | QUEENSLAND

Branch Reports Soil Science Australia’s regional branches also use their pages on our website to communicate up to date information. Find these clicking by on the ‘Branches’ tab in the menu at www.soilscienceaustralia.org

Queensland World Soil Day fun Silvana Santomartino, photos by Shah Mohd Adnan

The Queensland Branch celebrated World Soil Day with a Family Fun Day at Roma Street Parklands. In the beautiful Brisbane sunshine, ts about 25 gues enjoyed a BBQ picnic followed by games of Frisbee and soccer. ally Young guests, potenti some future soil scientists among them, were treated onstration to a dem on soil profile using Carina’s Worsley’s famous soil horizon lolly-­‐cake. This year, the cake featured a D horizon comprising dinosaur fossils (dinosaur jellies). e The kids wer able to eat the subject, which they seemed to enjoy monstration. more than the de

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BRANCH REPORTS | QUEENSLAND

Following the sugar rush, the kids examined on animals that live the soil surface and created their own caterpillars using egg cartons and colourful crafts. Thanks to the soil scientists from Golder Associates for running nd the BBQ a activities and to Di Allen and Ashneel Sharma for helping to plan the day.

Soils training courses conducted by the Queensland branch are online Bruce Carey

Since 1985 the Queensland branch has conducted 13 soils training courses. Up until 2005 written papers were prepared for each course were and the proceedings published. Since 2007 the format was changed with tions power point presenta being prepared instead of written papers. The 150 papers and presentations prepared for the courses are now available on our website at http://www.soilscienceaustralia .com.au/index.php/branches/qu eensland/past-­‐activities/151-­‐ queensland-­‐refresher-­‐courses-­‐ and-­‐workshops Because they were prepared for training purposes, these resources are easy to understand and should provide a valuable source of information for anyone interested in soils. A wide range of soil related topics are covered including classification, mapping and survey, fertility, biology, carbon, landscape processes, land degradation issues, acid sulfate soils, soil water and deep drainage and environmental issues related to soil management. To facilitate searching, the table of contents for each course have been Ben Harms explaining the finer points of soil combined into one PDF file. profiles. Photo: Kathryn Hughes

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BRANCH REPORTS | SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia Sarah Noack Ismail Cakmak visits Adelaide In February the University of Adelaide celebrated the second J.A. Prescott Lecture as part of the University’s Distinguished Guest Professor Lecture series. Ismail Cakmak from Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey presented a talk entitled ‘Zinc Deficiency: A Global Nutritional Problem Production in Crop and Human Nutrition (a Possible Australian Contribution to this Global Problem)’. Zinc deficiency is -­‐ a well documented global problem in human populations and also in agricultural soils. The majority -­‐ of cereal cultivated soils have a range of adverse soil chemical factors that limit the capacity of crops to absorb adequate amounts of Zn from soils. Increasing Zn concentration of food crops is, therefore, an important global agronomic target and humanitarian challenge. Professor Cakmak presented current research which focuses on developing new genotypes and fertilisers, which he strongly highlighted need to be complimentary strategies. He ellent provided an exc seminar and lastly made the audience consider Australia’s role as a major grain exporter in reducing the incidence of Zn deficiency in the human population.

Postgraduate students with Professor Ismail Cakmak . (centre) Photo: Lilik Kartikasari

Professor Mike McLaughlin Honoured with the IPNI Science Award The South Australian branch heartily congratulates Mike McLaughlin on his recent award from the International Plant Nutrition . Institute (IPNI) Less than a few months after being named as a CSIRO Fellow, which awarded is the highest honour to scientists within the organisation, Mike announced was as the winner of the prestigious 2011 IPNI Science Award. “We are honoured to announce Professor the McLaughlin as recipient of the IPNI Science Award. It is evident from his accomplishments that Mike is highly suited to receive this award,” said Dr Terry L. Roberts, president of IPNI. “His internationally recognised contributions oved to impr nutrient management and production agriculture through advancements in fertiliser chemistry, rition crop nut and environmental protection are truly t. excellen His career marks numerous breakthroughs in improved environmental assessment and management, the development of new fertiliser delivery systems, and a greater understanding interactions of the of nutrients and the environment.” PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 25 OF 32

BRANCH REPORTS | SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Prof. McLaughlin has en be the foundation director for the University of Adelaide Fertiliser Technology Research Centre since 1997, which is supported by The Mosaic Company and the Australian Grain Research and Development Corporation. He is currently heading the development of eading l -­‐ edge fertiliser technologies to match nutrient supply to crop demand and identifying new efficient fertiliser Photo: Professor Mike McLaughlin, CPSS-­‐3 (left) receiving formulations -­‐ making the IPNI Science Award from Dr Mike . Stewart, IPNI extensive use of Photo: Kenneth Hylton. nanotechnology and advanced tracing and imaging techniques to probe ilisers reactions of fert with soils. Prof. McLaughlin has contributed greatly to ientific the body of sc work published on cadmium metal contamination in soils, and luenced has directly inf national and international public policy on developing -­‐ science based strategies for minimising s metal in the environment. He has published 28 book chapters, 184 journal papers, 52 refereed full conference papers, 262 conference abstracts and over 120 other industry reports and publications. He holds eight patents and, since 1989, has won research grants valued at over $24 million. Despite a busy schedule and all these achievements Mike still finds time and energy to be an active and valuable ee committ member of the SA Branch. Well done Mike and thank you for your commitment to Soil Science Australia.

No reports this issue the from NSW, Riverina, Tasmanian, Victorian or West Australian branches.

20 % discount on CSIRO publications to members on CSIRO PUBLISHING and Landlinks ss Pre book titles and personal journal subscriptions.

website: www.publish.csiro.au email publishing.sal : [email protected] phone: 1300 788 000

* The % 20 discount will apply to the CSIRO RRP off all PUBLISHING and Landlinks ss Pre book titles (no further discount for titles already on sale). * Discounted journal subscriptions are for e personal us only; does not apply to institutional journal subscriptions * To receive the 20% discount, members need to identify elonging themselves as b to Soil Science Australia at the time of purchasing CSIRO PUBLISHING products. For online purchases members should ‘ add Soil Science Australia Member’ to the Special Instructions field when completing the Delivery & Payment refunds Details; no will be applied after the subscription or book order has been processed

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EVENTS

Events 5th Global Workshop on Digital Soil Mapping 10-­‐13 April Sydney, Australia www.pedometrics.org/dsm_oz/ Soil spatial information for environmental assessment and decision making 22-­‐27 April Vienna, Austria The European Geosciences Union General Assembly -­‐ 2012 This ssion se will address the current state of the art in soil mapping. flyer Download the (PDF) or visit the website . Soil Classification 2012: Towards a Universal Soil Classification System June 11 – June 14 Lincoln, Nebraska, USA Emphasising the harmonization of criteria for horizons diagnostic and features of soils and discussion on a newly proposed Universal ssification Soil Cla System. http://clic.cses.vt.edu/IUSS1.4/Conf_Soil_Classification_2012/IUSS_Conf_Soil_Classification_ 2012_A1.html AWA BioSolids and Source Management National Conference 18-­‐20 June Gold Coast www.awa.asn.au/bsmconference 22nd Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference 24-­‐29 June www.vmgoldschmidt.org 17th International Nitrogen Workshop 26 -­‐ 29 June Wexford, Ireland www.nitrogenworkshop.com International Society for Root Research 26-­‐29 June Dundee www.rootresearch.org Eurosoil 2012, 4th -­‐ Congress European Confederation of Soil Science Societies 2-­‐6 July Bari Italy www.dibca.uniba.it Hydropedology 2012 Conference 22 -­‐ 27 July Leipzig, Germany www.ufz.de/hydropedology2012 FAO/IAEA International Symposium: Managing soils for food security and climate change adaptation and mitigation 23-­‐26 July Vienna, Austria www.pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/Announcements.asp?ConfID=41176 VI Congress of the Dokuchaev Soil Science Society 13-­‐17 August Petrozavodsk Contact: [email protected]

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EVENTS

20th National Soil Science conference with international participation ‘Quality State of Soil Resources and Environmental Protection in Oltenia’ 26 August – 1 September Craiova 7th International Acid Sulfate Soil – Conference 26-­‐31 August Vaasa Finland www.7iassc.fi The 19th International Soil Tillage Research Organisation conference 24-­‐28 September Montevideo, Uruguay www.congresos-­‐rohr.com/istro2012/ 2012 National Landcare Conference 3-­‐5 September Sydney Soils in Space and Time – 30 September -­‐ 4 October Ulm Danube Germany iuss-­‐division1.uni-­‐hohenheim.de/ 16th biennial conference of the Australian Society of Agronomy (ASA) 14-­‐18 October Armidale NSW www.agronomy.org.au/events/2012/ 8th International Symposium on Plant Soil Interactions at Low pH 18-­‐22 October Bangalore, INDIA www.8thpsilph.org.in Soil solutions for diverse landscapes – 2012 Soil Science Australia & New Zealand Soil S cience joint soils science conference Hobart 2-­‐7 December Tasmania www.soilscience2012.com/ 13th ISSPA (International Symposium on Soil and , Plant Analysis) 7 -­‐ 12 April 2013 Queenstown New Zealand IUSS Global Soil C Conference 3-­‐7 June 2013 Madison USA www.iuss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=407&Itemid=31 7th International Conference of the Urban Soils Working Group (Suitma) of the International Union of Soil Sciences 16-­‐20 September 2013 Torun Poland www.suitma7.umk.pl Soils in Space and Time -­‐ First Divisional 1 Conference of IUSS,. 30-­‐September – 4 October 2013. Ulm/Danube, Germany contact: Karl Stahr karl.stahr@uni -­‐hohenheim.de

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EVENTS

16-­‐17 April 2012 Australian Technology Park, 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, Sydney, NSW

Australia’s soil information stock is inadequate – we cannot satisfy the current diversity of needs and the future requires even more flexibility. The symposium will provide an in-­‐depth opportunity for the people who will need the soil information of the future to help guide the next steps in building Australia’s crucial soil information needs.

• Find out the latest on what soil information is available across the nation, and how it can be used. • Find out about the opportunities provided by better soil information and the gaps in our knowledge • Participate in planning the shape of the national soil information future

Who is this event for? We invite those who need soil information in farm management, in guiding industries, in catchment and regional resource management and in the policies which support these uses. We invite researchers, modellers, consultants and advisors – anyone working at farm, regional or national scales – that need a better understanding of soil information and how it can be used. And we invite others who know that good soil information e will improv their knowledge and management of Australia’s resources. Program details • interactive case studies that illustrate the many situations where soil information is needed • how the best current information is currently being applied • interactive sessions exploring the nature of soil information needed for the future See the website for the full program at www.soilscienceaustralia.org What do you want to know? What questions do you have about soils and soil information? We invite comments about the program and encourage people to send us enquiries or discuss topics. Please contact: Noel Schoknecht Richard MacEwan Chair, National Committee on Soil President, Australian Society of Soil and Terrain Science Inc. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: (08) 9368 3707 T: (03) 5430 4326

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 29 OF 32

CONTACTS

Contacts Federal Committee Queensland Vice President Binoy Sarkar 8302 6293 [email protected] President Richard MacEwan CPSS-3 President Louise Cartwright CPSS-2 Secretary Ashlea Doolette 03 5430 4326 07 3852 6666 [email protected] [email protected] 08 8303 8107 [email protected] Vice President Richard Doyle CPSS-3 Vice President Simon Buchanan Treasurer Anna McBeath 03 6225 2561 CPSS-2 [email protected] [email protected] 08 8303 6519 [email protected] Secretary Lucy Burkitt Secretary Silvana Santomartino CPSS-2 [email protected] 07 3721 5400 Events Coordinator [email protected] Sarah Noack Treasurer Cath Botta CPSS-2 Treasurer Robin Bruce 08 8303 7284 03 5762 7193 [email protected] [email protected] 07 3371 3042 [email protected] Immediate Past President Stephen Newsletter Editor Olivia White Cattle CPSS-3 0427 889 802 Tasmania 02 9351 2944 [email protected] [email protected] Meetings Organiser 1 President Leigh Sparrow Executive Officer Linda Bennison Ashneel Sharma 03 6336 5379 03 5635 2370 [email protected] [email protected] 07 3170 5693 [email protected] Vice President Steven Ives CPSS Chair Steven Raine CPSS-3 Meetings Organiser 2 03 9005 9046 07 4631 1691 Diane Allen [email protected] [email protected] 07 3170 5767 Secretary Sam Rees Profile Editor Stephanie Alt [email protected] 03 6229 5996 0427 331 440 Far North Qld Rep John Armour [email protected] [email protected] 07 4048 4705 Treasurer John Paul Cumming [email protected] CPSS-2 North Qld Rep David Little 03 6223 1839 [email protected] 07 4722 8000 / 0429 990 859 [email protected] New South Wales Central Qld Rep Bernard Schroeder Victoria President Ben Macdonald CPSS-3 07 4155 7400 [email protected] [email protected] President Mark Imhof CPSS-3 Vice President Jane Aitken CPSS-2 03 9742 8781 [email protected] [email protected] Secretary Michael Nelson Riverina Vice President Nicole Mathers [email protected] 03 56242282 [email protected] Treasurer Zoe Read CPSS (Student Associate) President Mark Conyers Treasurer Jess Horton [email protected] 02 6938 1830 03 56242232 [email protected] Northern Rivers rep [email protected] Annabelle Keene Vice President Matthew Gardner Secretary Gemma Heemskerk [email protected] 02 6938 1613 CPSS-2 [email protected] 02 6051 2234 Southern rep Roy Lawrie CPSS-3 [email protected] [email protected] Secretary Phillip Eberbach 02 6933 2830 Central West/West rep [email protected] Brian Murphy CPSS-3 Western Australia [email protected] au Treasurer Geoff Beecher 02 6951 2725 Sydney rep [email protected] President Timothy Overheu Thomas Bishop [email protected] [email protected] Publicity Jason Condon 02 6933 2278 Vice President Richard Bell CPSS-3 Canberra rep [email protected] 08 9360 2370 Nathan Weber [email protected] [email protected] Secretary Louise Barton Northern Tablelands rep South Australia 08 6488 2543 Chris Guppy CPSS-3 [email protected] [email protected] President Annie McNeill CPSS-3 Treasurer Daniel Carter 08 8303 7879 08 9368 3408 [email protected] [email protected]

PROFILE | SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA | ISSUE 168 PAGE 30 OF 32

SOIL RESEARCH – LATEST ISSUE

Soil esearch R – latest issue Soil Research is an international journal ation for the public of soil research relating to primary production, land and water management, environmental pollution, and The site remediation. journal has a particular, but not exclusive, focus on research that promotes understanding of soils in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific, as well as those in other tropical and Mediterranean environments. The primary factor mining deter suitability for publication is that the research present new and significant findings on an issue relevant to soil science.

Volume 50 Number 1 2012 Links to abstracts (free) and full text articles at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/84/currentissueflag/1.htm

Prediction of the CEC to sing clay ratio u mid-­‐infrared spectroscopy Philip M. Bloesch

Plastic limits of agricultural soils as functions ure of soil text and organic matter content Thomas Keller and Anthony R. Dexter

Random sampling of stony and non-­‐stony soils for testing a national soil carbon monitoring system C. B. Hedley, I. J. Payton, I. rick, H. Lynn, S. T. Car T. H. Webb and S. McNeill

Boron in humus and inorganic components of Hamra and Grumosol soils irrigated with claimed re wastewater F. S. Kot, R. Farran, M. Kochva and A. Shaviv

Effects of water content and temperature on the surface conductivity of bentonite clay M. A. Mojid and H. Cho

Solubilisation of soil carbon following treatment with cow urine under laboratory conditions S. M. Lambie, L. A. Schipper, M. R. Balks and W. T. Baisden

Nitrogen loss by surface rom runoff f different cropping systems P. Jiao, D. Xu, ng, S. Wa Y. Wang, K. Liu and G. Tang

Effect of soil type and rainfall on dicyandiamide concentrations in drainage from lysimeters Mark Shepherd, Justin Wyatt and ten Brendon Wel

Influence of fertiliser application on the occurrence and colonisation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under maize/Centrosema and sole maize systems Bukola Emmanuel, Olajire Fagbola and Oluwole Osonubi

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SOIL RESEARCH – LATEST ISSUE

Profile March 2012 Issue 168 www.soilscienceaustralia.org

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