Abstract. Visualization can greatly
benefit understanding of concepts and processes, which in soil science and
geology can be done using real-life snapshots of soils and sediments in
lacquer peels and glue peels. While it may seem complicated, anyone can make
such a soil peel for use in classrooms, public places, homes, and offices for
teaching, outreach, decoration, and awareness. Technological development has
considerably simplified the making of soil peels, but this methodological
innovation has not been described in the literature. Here, we report on a
thoroughly tested and simple method for taking peels of sandy soils using
readily available tools and materials. Our method follows the main previously
published steps of preparing a soil face, impregnating the soil face with a
fixation agent in the field, extracting the resulting peel, and mounting it
on a wooden panel. Yet instead of using lacquers and thinning agents, we use
strong though flexible contact adhesive (glue), which has the major advantage
that it no longer requires use and mixing of toxic chemicals in the field or
reinforcement of the peel to prevent breaking. Moreover, the preservation
potential is much higher than with the old method. This new twist to old
methods makes creation of soil peels safer, simpler, and more successful, and
thereby a true DIY (do-it-yourself) activity. The resulting increased accessibility of
making soil and sediment peels can benefit research, teaching, and science
communication and can thereby bring the value and beauty of the ground below
our feet to students, schools, policy makers, and the general public.
Deformation features of cross-glued wooden panel structures for northern construction