The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences is home to amazing researchers who enjoy learning about soil science as well as researching topics relating to dust. Richard W. Griffin, Professor and Research Scientist, along with several CAHS research staff dug 6 feet into the ground in many areas around Waller County in order to determine various soil types. They found three types of soil: Kenney, Waller and Hockley. Some of these soils are wet and muddy looking and some are dry. The wet areas of these soils are best for growing corn while watermelon and peanuts grow better in dry soil.

Many of the CAHS researchers and scientists have traveled to different countries and collected containers of soil. They have placed these on what they call “The CAHS Soil Wall of Fame” which is located in the soils lab in CARC. Our researchers have also noticed red dust traveling from Sub-Saharan countries, with samples traced specifically to the open sewers in Djenne, Mali (West Africa). These dusts can travel 25,000 feet in the air all the way to the United States, and many of these dust particles have living microbes on their surfaces. These living organisms can affect people by causing upper respiratory conditions and irritating allergies all year round.

Submitted by Meshia Greer, DOMCiT Student Staff