# Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory (KSSL)

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-  Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory (KSSL) 

Mission: Measure soil properties that are critical to soil survey and conservation efforts of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

The Charles E. Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory (KSSL) is the key source for soil analytical data for the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). The KSSL receives samples from soil survey project offices located throughout the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii as well as from cooperating partners at universities and other government and non-government organizations.

The KSSL:
              - Conducts analyses needed to classify soils and to support soil use. The full characterization of a soil survey sampling site typically requires 30 or more analyses.
              - Develops and maintains the standards for the specific analytical methods required for soil classification according to Soil Taxonomy.
              - Is directly involved in method development and analysis for cutting-edge soil science activities within the Soil and Plant Science Division, such as coastal zone soil survey and infrared spectrometry for soil analysis.
              - Conducts analyses requested by NRCS state and resource soil scientists, who provide technical soil services to NRCS soil conservationists in field offices throughout the country. The data supports conservation activities involving soil health, wetlands, and ecological sites.
              - Works directly with a team of NRCS research soil scientists located within the lab facility.
              - Maintains a publicly accessible database of historic soil analytical data and associated site information from thousands of sites in all States and worldwide.
              - Curates what may be the world’s largest collection of analyzed and cataloged soil samples, some of which date to before 1940.

##   Links

###   NCSS Soil Characterization Database (Lab Data Mart)

Contains analytical data for more than 20,000 pedons of U.S. soils and about 1,100 pedons from other countries.

Open Database

### NCSS Soil Characterization Data (Lab Data Mart)

Information on the National Cooperative Soil Survey Soil Characterization Database (Lab Data Mart).
Learn More

### KSSL Guidance

Documents that guide the Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory including field guides, methods and manuals, soil sample submission, and requests for assistance.
Learn More

### Soil Science Research

Information on NRCS-SPSD research focus areas, staff, and recent publications.
Learn More

**Laboratory Equipment Supporting Conservation Planning**

**Box link to historical****Soil Survey Investigation Reports (SSIRs).**For accessibility assistance, please email NRCS-SPSD-508@usda.gov.

##   Contact Soils

Please contact us if you see something that needs to be updated, if you have any questions, or if you need accessibility assistance.
                  -    Soils Webmaster 
                  -    402-437-5499 
                  -    Soils-Webmaster@usda.gov 

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