Smithsonian gives us 'the scoop' on dirt

SSSA, Fertilizer Institute sponsor "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil" 

 Special to The Science Leader

There are more living creatures in a shovel-full of soil than human beings on the planet, yet more is known about the dark side of the moon than about soil. These are just a couple facts visitors can learn from the new exhibition "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil," open through Jan. 3, 2010 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

The 5,000-square-foot exhibition reveals the complex world of soil and how this hidden ecosystem supports nearly every form of life on Earth. The exhibition is sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America and the Nutrients for Life Foundation, which is underwritten by The Fertilizer Institute.

"The mission of this exhibition to educate millions about the importance of soils truly aligns with the Soil Science Society of America's own purpose of advancing soils as being fundamental to life," said SSSA President Gary A. Peterson. "Soil has an impact on climate change and our carbon footprint, among other important environmental issues."

"Dig It!" includes interactive displays, hands-on models, videos and soil samples.
Visitors will get the dirt on this little-known subject through audiovisual and interactive components, from a set of interactive soil stratigraphy blocks to a crime scene investigation video focusing on the processes of decay to a computer  kiosk where visitors can learn about the soil in their home states.

The exhibition shows how every type of soil is unique. Visitors can observe the way water moves through different soils in tumbler tubes containing sand, silt, clay and loam. The flow of water through soil can affect minerals and gases and all life that depends on soil.

After examining soil close-up, visitors can step back and see the big picture with a world map and interactive stations that present the connection between soil and global systems. A video explains soil's role as a "secret ingredient" in household goods, including medicines, food, wine, textiles, paint, cosmetics and pottery.

"The exhibition paints a remarkable picture of soils and their role as a reservoir of life," said The Fertilizer Institute and Nutrients for Life Foundation President Ford West. "Preserving the health of soils around the globe is critical to our ability to produce nutritious foods for future generations."

The National Museum of Natural History, located at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W. in Washington, D.C., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.