Link to the PAPSS Manual for Soil Investigation in Pennsylvania, Version 2.0 (2010)

Users of the Manual are reminded that the content of the Manual is protected by U.S. Copyright laws and respectfully requested to use the following citation:

Losco, R.L., Whitman, C., Drohan, P. and Cronce, R. (editors), 2010. PAPSS Manual for Soil Investigation in Pennsylvania, Version 2.0. Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists.

Link to the PAPSS Manual Poster which was presented at the 2009 SSSA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh

The purpose of this Manual is to summarize accepted practices and methods for soil scientists in Pennsylvania, and to standardize the way soil scientists in the Commonwealth conduct and report soil investigations. This Manual is the result of several years of work and is not intended to be a “how to” guide. In the compilation of this Manual, an attempt was made to utilize existing protocols wherever possible, adapting them as needed to the needs of soil scientists in Pennsylvania. As such, some of the text may seem familiar to some. A great deal of gratitude is directed toward those sources that we utilized.

This Manual discusses the practice of soil science as it relates to conducting site-specific soil investigations.  It is primarily useful in determining non-agricultural and non-silvicultural land use management of a site.  This Manual is not intended to be the last and final word on any of the topics covered. Recognizing the evolving nature of soil science, this Manual is intended to be a “living, breathing document” subject to regular revision as more information and newer techniques come to light. It is hoped that we have provided the format of a document that will advance along with science and be of use to soil scientists and other professionals for some time to come.

This Manual was compiled by the Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists (PAPSS) Manual Committee, which was composed of the following:

  • Russell L. Losco
  • Christopher Whitman
  • Patrick Drohan
  • Richard Cronce

Significant contributions were also made by:

  • John Chibirka
  • Stephen Dadio
  • William Davis
  • Michael Lane
  • Laurel Mueller
  • Catherine Sorace
  • Michael Sowers
  • Thomas Benusa

We gratefully acknowledge the peer review and suggestions of the following:

  • Martin Helmke, Ph.D.
  • Walter Grube, Ph.D.
  • James “Skip” Bell
  • Dave Cremeens