Person

Xi Zhang

Assistant Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Specialization: Soil Physics

Overview

The central theme of my work has been to better 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 Hydrologic Processes; Geostatistics

Teaching Focus

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)

Basic understanding of soil physical properties and processes; influence of soil physical properties on water and chemical movement in soil; and practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical properties, water flow, and chemical movement in soil. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232, PHYS 221*

ESS 544 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Basic understanding of soil physical properties and processes; influence of soil physical properties on water and chemical movement in soil; practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical properties, water flow, and chemical movement in soil. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 444 and 544.
Recommended Background: General soils and physics.

Picture of Xi Zhang
101 Biosystem Eng & Soil Sci Offices
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • 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

Xi Zhang

Assistant Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Picture of Xi Zhang image
101 Biosystem Eng & Soil Sci Offices
2506 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • 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 better 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 Hydrologic Processes; Geostatistics

Teaching Focus

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)

Basic understanding of soil physical properties and processes; influence of soil physical properties on water and chemical movement in soil; and practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical properties, water flow, and chemical movement in soil. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 444 and ESS 544.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232, PHYS 221*

ESS 544 - Environmental Soil Physics
3 credit hour(s)

Basic understanding of soil physical properties and processes; influence of soil physical properties on water and chemical movement in soil; practical experience in the measurement and analysis of soil physical properties, water flow, and chemical movement in soil. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 444 and 544.
Recommended Background: General soils and physics.