How can I get soil for my Martians?

We've created a series of mechanisms to terraform the temperature and atmosphere to be Earthlike. My geologists are screaming at me, because a lot of features are being rapidly eroded by the new hydrological process. Anywho.

I still don't have soil.

Our agronomists are great with hydroponics, but to plant small trees and root-based plants, I need real soil. Soil formation takes time and organic processes. A lot of both; neither of which I have. And while we really scored with the atmospheric science, we haven't progressed past 2015 for 'creating soil;' how can I get the massive amounts of needed soil?

Note 1: I read the book, The Martian, where he makes soil for potatoes from poop and Martian regolith. I was skeptical, and a friend who worked at the National Resources Conservation Service (specifically with soil survey), said, "That simply can not happen; that much soil would take forever to become viable." And a lot more than just poop*.

Note 2: I was admonished (down-voted) for stressing the importance of soil previously, so my question is not whether we need it; it's how do we get it.

Note 3: *- I look forward to the day that poop gets its own tag, since I've seen it in WB frequently. [ Done. —ed. ]

posted over 8 years ago

Mikey‭

6 reputation 43 0 1 0