Articles | Volume 10, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Forum article
| 
15 Jan 2024
Forum article |
| 15 Jan 2024
| 15 Jan 2024
Perspectives on the misconception of levitating soil aggregates
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
John Koestel
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
Alice Johannes
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Olivier Heller
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Sebastian Doetterl
Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Environmental Systems Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH Zurich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, USA
Thomas Keller
Department of Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7014, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Effects of microplastics on soil physicochemical properties and vertical migration and transformation of chromium J. Li et al. 10.1016/j.jece.2024.114577
- Microplastics: A hidden carrier of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their effect on soil properties K. Tanzil et al. 10.1016/j.jece.2024.114974
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- Pore space memory of the Tlalpan pedosedimentary sequence as an indicator of paleopedogenesis L. Pogosyan et al. 10.1002/jpln.202300444
- Effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on microorganisms and aggregates and their carbon sequestration in sediment H. Li et al. 10.1007/s11368-025-04060-4
- Elucidating the role of ferrihydrite and goethite in the aggregation and stability of small soil microaggregates: An experimental study on arable Luvisols under different management N. Tang et al. 10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117351
- The “extra pinch” of pseudosand to enhance tropical biogeochemical processes understanding S. Kilian Salas et al. 10.1002/jpln.202400090
- Restoration-mediated protein substances preferentially drive underlying bauxite residue macroaggregate formation during the simulated ecological reconstruction process L. Hu et al. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175636
- A soil structure-based modeling approach to soil heterotrophic respiration A. Jha et al. 10.1007/s10533-025-01223-w
3 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Preliminary assessment of the knowledge gaps to improve soil structure J. Hultman et al. 10.3897/soils4europe.e122607
- Miskoncepce z pedologie u studentů učitelství přírodních věd Š. Chmelová 10.14712/18023061.665
- Aggregates versus pores – is the soil science community torn apart? A survey S. Roosch 10.1002/jpln.202400089
Latest update: 30 Jun 2025
Short summary
The concept of soil aggregates is hotly debated, leading to confusion about their function or relevancy to soil processes. We propose that the use of conceptual figures showing detached and isolated aggregates can be misleading and has contributed to this skepticism. Here, we conceptually illustrate how aggregates can form and dissipate within the context of undisturbed soils, highlighting the fact that aggregates do not necessarily need to have distinct physical boundaries.
The concept of soil aggregates is hotly debated, leading to confusion about their function or...
