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Site GP54

Location: Bass.

Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL

Geology: Quaternary alluvial deposits.
General Landscape Description: Old flood plain (0-1% slope).
Mapping Unit: Monomieth.

GP54 Landscape
Site GP54 Landscape


Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A10-35 cmVery dark greyish brown (10YR3/2) with occasional slight mottles; fine sandy clay loam; hardsetting surface condition; massive (with moderate fine polyhedral structure associated with roots); very firm consistence dry; pH 5.4; clear and wavy change to:

GP54 Profile
Site GP54 Profile
Subsoil

B2135-60 cmDark brown (10YR3/3) with few (10%) yellowish brown (10YR5/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse prismatic, parting to moderate coarse polyhedral structure; strong consistence dry; pH 5.8; gradual and wavy change to:

B2260-90 cmGrey (10YR5/1) with many (25%) brownish yellow (10YR6/6) mottles; light medium clay; moderate coarse prismatic structure; strong consistence dry; pH 6.4:

B2390+ cmGrey (10YR5/1) with many (25-30%) brownish yellow (10YR6/8) mottles; medium clay; moderate coarse prismatic, parting to moderate coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; pH 6.0.
Key Profile Features:

  • Hardsetting surface condition.
  • Strong texture contrast between surface (A1) horizon and subsoil (B21) horizon.

    Soil Profile Characteristics
    :

    Horizon
    pH
    Salinity Rating
    Surface
    (A1 horizon)
    Strongly Acid
    Very Low
    Non-Sodic
    None1
    Subsoil
    (B21 horizon)
    Moderately Acid
    Very Low
    Sodic
    None1,2
    Deeper subsoil
    (at 1 m)
    Moderately Acid
    Low
    Sodic
    None1
    1 Slight dispersion after remoulding. 2 Upper subsoil dispersion is likely to be reduced by high levels of exchangeable aluminium.

    GP54 pH Graph
    GP54 Aluminium Graph
    GP54 Sodicity Graph
    GP54 clay Graph
    The surface soil is strongly acid.
    The subsoil is moderately acid.
    The exchangeable aluminium
    level in the surface is low. But
    the levels within the upper subsoil
    (B21) are reasonably high.
    The surface soil is non-sodic.
    The subsoil is sodic throughout.
    The clay content increases
    clearly at the A/B boundary.


    Horizon
    Horizon Depth
    (cm)
    pH
    (water)
    pH
    (CaCl2)
    EC 1:5
    ESP
    %
    Exchangeable Cations
    Ca
    Mg
    K
    Na
    meq/100g
    A1
    0-35
    5.4
    4.4
    0.07
    3
    2.7
    2.8
    0.38
    0.52
    B21
    35-60
    5.8
    4.4
    0.06
    7
    3.5
    8.6
    0.4
    1.5
    B22
    60-90
    6.4
    5.1
    0.09
    11
    3.2
    7.8
    0.25
    2.1
    B23
    90+
    6
    5.1
    0.3
    14
    2.4
    5.6
    0.2
    2.1

    Horizon
    Horizon Depth
    (cm)
    Exchangeable Aluminium
    mg/kg
    Exchangeable Acidity
    meq/100g
    Wilting Point
    pF4.2
    Coarse Sand
    (0.2-2.0 mm)
    Fine Sand
    (0.02-0.2 mm)
    Silt
    (0.002-0.02 mm)
    Clay
    (<0.002 mm)
    A1
    0-35
    45
    12
    16
    8
    17
    42
    26
    B21
    35-60
    160
    7.9
    18
    7
    15
    25
    48
    B22
    60-90
    <10
    5.5
    16
    13
    28
    20
    38
    B23
    90+
    <10
    4.2
    14
    14
    30
    21
    35


    Profile Described By: Mark Imhof and Ian Sargeant (12 March 1998).

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