Victorian Resources Online (archived)
SWSL883
Australian Soil Classification: Bleach-Sodic, ?, Brown CHROMOSOL (confidence level 3)
General Landscape Description: Gently undulating plain
Site Description: Open depression
Land Unit: Ardonachie Basalt
Geology: Quaternary basalt
General Land Unit Description: The undulating rises west of Macarthur, consists mainly of Brown Chromosols. The characteristics of the Chromosols vary. Some soils may have bleached subsurface horizons or be sodic at depth and there may be a ferric horizon. Sandy Mottled Yellow Chromosols are commonly found in the western portion of the unit.
Soil Profile Morphology
Surface
| A1 | 0-25 cm | Very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2) fine sandy clay loam, pH 5. Clear transition to: |
| A2 | 25-30 cm | Light grey (10YR7/2), sporadically bleached fine sandy clay loam. Sharp transition to: |
| Subsoil | ||
| B21 | 30-60 cm | Yellowish brown (10YR5/4) heavy clay, yellowish brown mottles, pH 6.3. Gradual transition to: |
| B22 | 60-75 cm | Light brownish grey (2.5Y6/2) medium clay, brownish yellow mottles (10YR6/8), fragments are common (200-600 mm), pH 6.8. |
Key profile features:
- Strongly acidic topsoil
- Bleached A2 horizon
- Mottled subsoil
- Subsoil sodic at depth
- Subsoil dispersive when worked when wet
Soil Profile Characteristics:
- | pH | Salinity |
Surface Soil (A1 horizon) | Strongly Acid | Low |
Subsoil (B21 Horizon) | Slightly Acid | Very Low |
Chemical and Physical Analysis:
Horizon | Horizon Depth (cm) | pH (water) | EC dS/m |
A1 | 0-25 | 5.4 | 0.1 |
A2 | 25-30 | ||
B21 | 30-60 | 6.3 | 0.08 |
B22 | 60-75 | 6.8 | 0.1 |
