“The soil whispers secrets,” a researcher once told me. Here at the Departamento de Suelos, those whispers become scientific inquiry. This department is part of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. It dedicates itself to understanding the complex world beneath our feet.
The Departamento de Suelos focuses on the interactions between soil, water, atmosphere, and biosphere. Researchers investigate geochemical, mineralogical, physical, hydrological, and biological processes. These processes occur in Earth’s critical zone. The department also researches geological processes deeper than the critical zone.
Scientists study natural environments here. They also examine environments altered by human activities. Their research spans from the atomic level to global scales. Temporal scales range from present-day processes to past events. This allows them to reconstruct environmental and geomorphological history.
The Departamento de Suelos emphasizes multi- and interdisciplinary collaboration. They work with colleagues from diverse fields. This collaboration generates essential information. It covers both basic and applied science. Their findings inform the appropriate management and conservation of soil-water systems and natural resources. The scientists also design methodologies. These methodologies help recover or remediate contaminated or altered systems. They even determine the relationship between ancient cultures and their environmental impact.
The department trains individuals. They are taught to place soil conservation and remediation on public agendas. The students promote research and proper management practices. The Departamento de Suelos also conducts outreach. They share environmental and soil science knowledge with the general public and experts.
One group within the department focuses on paleosols. They study how landscapes evolve over time. They use soils as historical archives. Understanding this evolution requires an interdisciplinary approach.
Mexico City’s landscape significantly influences the Departamento de Suelos’ work. The city sits in the highland Valley of Mexico. Mountains surround the valley. This creates a unique environment. The valley was once covered by a series of lakes. These lacustrine plains now make up a quarter of the city’s area.
The city’s remarkable size and complexity have transformed its surroundings. The Aztecs and Spanish rulers built water-supply and drainage systems. These systems aimed to reduce flooding. They gradually drained nearly all the basin’s lake water.
Mexico City’s soil presents unique challenges. The city is built on deep, soft soil. This soil was once the bottom of a lake. This soil amplifies the effects of earthquakes. Seismic waves vibrate through the soil. This makes the surface shake longer and more intensely.
The Departamento de Suelos plays a vital role. It addresses the environmental challenges facing Mexico City. It promotes the sustainable management of its soil resources. The department ensures that the ground beneath our feet receives the attention it deserves.