What is a soil scientist?
A soil scientist is a person with specialized knowledge of soil morphology (i.e., the arrangement and characteristics of the layers, or horizons, in a soil profile), soil chemistry, soil biology, and/or soil physics. This specialized knowledge has a variety of applications. Soil scientists often work in such agriculture related areas as soil fertility and soil/water relations (as in irrigation, for example) or in environmental science related areas such as land disposal of animal and municipal waste, onsite wastewater (septic systems, for example), mine spoil reclamation, and hazardous waste sites. In North Carolina and other states a professional license is required in order to practice soil science.
