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Xi Zhang

Assistant Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Specialization: Soil Physics, Earth Critical Zone, Soil Management, Environmental Science

Overview

The central theme of my work has been to understand how environmental changes (e.g., climate, land cover) and perturbations (e.g., land use, agricultural management) in the Anthropocene govern the functioning of the Earth’s critical zone and how this interaction influences soil physical environment evolution, hydrologic cycles, biogeochemical processes, soil-climate feedback loops, and ecosystem services.

Research Focus

Soil Physical and Hydrologic Processes; Geostatistics

Teaching Focus

Environmental Soil Physics

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 444 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Environmental Soil Physics uses a holistic and systems-based approach to examine the physical principles driving water, air, heat, and solute dynamics in soils. This course discovers the vital role of soil at the interface of Earth’s lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere through a physics lens. Students learn core principles alongside hands-on measurement, data analysis and modeling, then apply them to tackle real-world challenges in terrestrial ecosystems, water resources, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232, PHYS 221*

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 494 - Special Topics in Environmental and Soil Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Varying topics and formats addressing current issues in the Environmental and Soil Sciences.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.

Other Instructors: Saal, Lori

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 544 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Environmental Soil Physics uses a holistic and systems-based approach to examine the physical principles driving water, air, heat, and solute dynamics in soils. Will discover the vital role of soil at the interface of Earth’s lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere through a physics lens. Students learn core principles alongside hands-on measurement, data analysis and modeling, then apply them to tackle real-world challenges in terrestrial ecosystems, water resources, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
Recommended Background: General soils and physics.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Picture of Xi Zhang

xi.zhang@utk.edu

305 Biosystem Eng & Soil Sci Offices
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon State University, Issued 11/19/2021
  • PhD, Soil Science, University of Kentucky, 2019
  • GCP, Applied Statistics, University of Kentucky, 2016
  • MS, Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2013
  • BE, Environmental Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, 2010
Lab Members
Rui Peng
Wei Dai
Shengyu Zhou
Owen Allen
Joshua Evans

Xi Zhang

Assistant Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Picture of Xi Zhang image

xi.zhang@utk.edu

305 Biosystem Eng & Soil Sci Offices
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon State University, Issued 11/19/2021
  • PhD, Soil Science, University of Kentucky, 2019
  • GCP, Applied Statistics, University of Kentucky, 2016
  • MS, Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2013
  • BE, Environmental Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, 2010
Overview

The central theme of my work has been to understand how environmental changes (e.g., climate, land cover) and perturbations (e.g., land use, agricultural management) in the Anthropocene govern the functioning of the Earth’s critical zone and how this interaction influences soil physical environment evolution, hydrologic cycles, biogeochemical processes, soil-climate feedback loops, and ecosystem services.

Research Focus

Soil Physical and Hydrologic Processes; Geostatistics

Teaching Focus

Environmental Soil Physics

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 444 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Environmental Soil Physics uses a holistic and systems-based approach to examine the physical principles driving water, air, heat, and solute dynamics in soils. This course discovers the vital role of soil at the interface of Earth’s lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere through a physics lens. Students learn core principles alongside hands-on measurement, data analysis and modeling, then apply them to tackle real-world challenges in terrestrial ecosystems, water resources, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232, PHYS 221*

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 494 - Special Topics in Environmental and Soil Sciences
1 - 3 credit hours

Varying topics and formats addressing current issues in the Environmental and Soil Sciences.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 3 hours.

Other Instructors: Saal, Lori

Semesters Offered: Fall
ESS 544 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Environmental Soil Physics uses a holistic and systems-based approach to examine the physical principles driving water, air, heat, and solute dynamics in soils. Will discover the vital role of soil at the interface of Earth’s lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere through a physics lens. Students learn core principles alongside hands-on measurement, data analysis and modeling, then apply them to tackle real-world challenges in terrestrial ecosystems, water resources, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
Recommended Background: General soils and physics.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Lab Members
Rui Peng
Wei Dai
Shengyu Zhou
Owen Allen
Joshua Evans