Deep down and dirty. The science of soil

Description

It takes a thousand years to form a single inch of soil. It is a fragile layer on the surface of the land - yet essential to all life on Earth. But where did soil come from and how was it made? Gardening expert Chris Beardshaw reveals the secrets locked within soil. Travelling around in his specially-equipped mobile soil lab, he delves down into dirt to uncover its deepest secrets - from the uppermost layers, teeming with microscopic life, to the mysterious mineral layers deep below. He looks into the distant past to reveal the almost miraculous way soil first formed, and takes a tantalising glimpse into the future, to reveal soil as a commodity more precious than oil or gold. Across the globe we're struggling to protect this delicate yet vital layer - so what does the future hold for soil and what does this mean for global food production?

Runtime

52 minutes

Subjects

Genre

Database

Alexander Street

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