Definition
Many people may never think about what it takes for plants to grow or the ground they walk on. But the truth is, soil is a vital resource in our world, and a deeply complex part of every ecosystem.
According to the Department of Energy, "Soil is a complex mixture of organic material, minerals, air, and water. It ranges from sandy, ocean-weathered beaches to soggy peat bogs and permafrost soils. Soils are a vital component of terrestrial ecosystems, and provide habitat for a large diversity of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Minerals in soil form from the breakdown of rocks by chemical and physical processes as well as the action of plants and microorganisms. Living organisms also contribute organic material to soils from roots, leaves, and decaying biomass. Layers of soil sit on top of partially weathered to intact bedrock (or parent material) that often extends deep into the subsurface."
Not only is soil an important component of every ecosystem, but it is a complex and diverse ecosystem all on its own. The DOE tells us that, "Even a cup of soil contains millions of different kinds of microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. It is also the main source of water and many of the nutrients plants need to grow, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as well as important micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc."
Many of these minerals and micronutrients are essential to plant development, and therefore instrumental in crop growth and agriculture. Unfortunately, soils don't always have the correct amount of nutrients that make them ideal for farming. CASFER seeks to help correct this natural imbalance, by removing oversaturated minerals and micronutrients from waste streams and reintroducing important nutrients, like nitrogen and phosophorous, back into the soil using fertilizer.