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Site MP35

Location: Nullawil.

Australian Soil Classification: Epibasic (and Endohypersodic), Pedal, Calcic CALCAROSOL.

Geology: Quaternary (Woorinen Formation) alluvial and aeolian deposits.
General Landscape Description: Level plain.
Site Description: Roadside verge.

Photo: MP 35 landscape
Site MP35 Landscape


Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil
A10-10 cmBrown (7.5YR4/4); heavy clay loam; hardsetting surface condition; moderate medium subangular blocky structure (rough-faced peds); firm consistence dry; pH 7.8; abrupt change to:
Photo: MP 35 profile
Site MP35 Profile
Subsoil

B110-20 cmDark brown (7.5YR3/4); light clay; moderate coarse subangular blocky, parting to medium subangular blocky structure (rough-faced peds); very firm consistence dry; pH 8.5; abrupt change to:

B2120-35 cmDark reddish brown (5YR3/4); light medium clay; strong medium subangular blocky, parting to fine angular blocky structure (smooth-faced peds); very firm consistence slightly moist (subplastic); pH 8.9; clear and wavy change to:

B22k35-70 cmYellowish red (5YR5/6); medium clay; weak to moderate coarse polyhedral structure; very firm consistence slightly moist; fine-earth carbonates common (20%); pH 9.2.

Key Profile Features:

Soil Profile Characteristics:

Horizon
Horizon Depth
(cm)
pH
(water)
pH (CaCl2)
EC
1:5
NaCI
%
Exchangeable Cations
Field
Capacity
pF 2.5
Coarse Sand (0.2 - 2.0 mm)
Fine Sand
(0.02 -0.2 mm)
Silt
(0.002 -0.02 mm)
Clay
(<0.002 mm)
Ca
Mg
K
Na
meq/100g
A1
0-10
7.8
7.3
0.17
16
4.2
2.4
0.3
16
11
35
13
44
A2
10-20
8.5
7.7
0.15
16
4.3
1.4
1.1
14
10
37
15
43
B21
20-35
8.9
8.1
0.56
0.1
21
13
1.6
7.1
29
5
19
8
72
B22
35-70
9.2
8.4
1.2
0.24
9.7
13
1.1
27
24
5
18
9
56

Photo: MP 35 pH
Photo: MP 35 salinity
The soil profile becomes increasingly alkaline with depth.
The salinity rating is low-medium in the upper subsoil. It becomes high in the deeper subsoil from 35 cm depth.



Photo: MP 35 sodicity



Photo: MP 35 clay

The surface soil is non-sodic.
The subsoil is strongly sodic.

The soil profile is clayey throughout.


Profile Described By: Mark Imhof and Nathalie Baxter (August, 1996).

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