Victorian Resources Online (archived)
Charlton Series
Soils included in this series have distinct texture contrasts between hard setting A1 horizons and moderately to strongly pedal clayey subsoils. Subsurface soil (A2) horizons are absent. The uppermost subsoil layer, that is at least 15 cm thick, is whole coloured and red. The soil reaction trend is alkaline.
Four soil types and seven phases are included in this series: Charlton sandy loam; Charlton sandy clay loam; Charlton fine sandy clay loam, and Charlton sandy clay.
Charlton Sandy Loam (CH sl)
Profile Morphology:
Surface Soil
- 10-15 cm thick.
- Brown to dark reddish brown.
- Loamy sand to light sandy clay loam, commonly sandy loam.
- Reddish brown to red or yellowish red, gradually becoming mottled with brown and/or grey at about 80 cm.
- Medium to heavy clay.
Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate in the B horizons. Amounts may increase up to light or moderate amounts, in the deep subsoils.
Analytical Data for Selected Depths Down the Profile:
Depth | pH | Total Soluble Salts | Sodium Chloride | Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar | Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar |
% | % | % | % | ||
A | 7.3 | 0.019 | * | 3.3 | 6.6 |
B | 8.8 | 0.086 | 0.035 | 21.1 | 36.1 |
C | 9.3 | 0.194 | 0.090 | 20.3 | 35.4 |
* Sodium chloride contents were not measured and are expected to be very low (based on TSS < 0.05%).
Occurrence:
Charlton sandy loam is usually found on the level areas and mid-gentle slopes of the undulating plains. In some localities this soil type occurs mixed with varied soils of lower and upper slopes.
Phases:
Shallow surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 5 cm (range 3-9 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the crests and upper slopes in the undulating plains.
Deep surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 20 cm (range 16-30 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the crests and upper slopes of the lunettes, ridges and low rises.
Charlton Sandy Clay Loam (CH scl)
Profile Morphology:
Surface Soil
- 10-15 cm thick.
- Dark reddish brown to dark brown.
- Sandy clay loam.
Subsoil
- Red to dark reddish brown, gradually becoming yellowish red at about 70 cm. Colour mottling may occur in the deep subsoils.
- Medium to heavy clay. Small pockets of sandy soils may occur at about 100 cm.
Soil Inclusions:
- Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate occur at about 30 cm, increasing to light amounts at about 50 cm.
- Trace to slight amounts of ferruginous concretions and/or quartz fragments may occur in the surface and/or the deep subsoil horizons.
- Trace to slight amounts of weathered sandstone fragments may occur at about 100 cm.
Analytical Data for Selected Depths Down the Profile:
Depth | pH | Total Soluble Salts | Sodium Chloride | Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar | Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar |
- | - | % | % | % | % |
A | 7.6 | 0.038 | 0.006 | 8.4 | 15.5 |
B | 8.8 | 0.129 | 0.056 | 23.2 | 39.7 |
C | 9.3 | 0.271 | 0.129 | 22.5 | 40.4 |
Occurrence:
Charlton sandy clay loam is commonly found on the intermediate and upper slopes of the undulating plains. It also occurs on some lunettes.
Phases:
Shallow surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 5 cm (range 4-9 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the crests and upper slopes in the undulating plains.
Deep surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 20 cm (range 16-35 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the level plains of the gently undulating plains.
Charlton Fine Sandy Clay Loam (CH fscl)
Profile Morphology:
Surface Soil
- 5-10 cm thick.
- Brown to dark reddish brown.
- Clay loam to fine sandy clay loam
Subsoil
- Reddish brown to dark red, gradually becoming yellowish red with depth. Slight colour mottling may occur in the deep subsoils.
- Medium to heavy clay.
Soil Inclusions:
Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate usually occur at about 50 cm (range 30-60 cm). Higher amounts, up to light or moderate amounts, may occur at depth.
Analytical Data for Selected Depths Down the Profile:
Depth | pH | Total Soluble Salts | Sodium Chloride | Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar | Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar |
% | % | % | % | ||
A | 7.3 | 0.036 | * | 7.7 | 18.3 |
B | 8.3 | 0.115 | 0.048 | 23.3 | 43.5 |
C | 9.0 | 0.332 | 0.160 | 22.6 | 43.1 |
Occurrence:
Charlton fine sandy clay loam usually occurs on the level and gently undulating plains.
Phases:
Deep surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 20 cm (range 16-25 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the lower and mid slopes in the gently undulating plains.
Stony profile:
- On average, light amounts (range: slight-moderate amounts) of quartz fragments and/or ferruginous concretions occur throughout the soil profile. In some profiles, the abundance of stones in the surface soils may be as little as only trace amounts.
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is usually 15- 20 cm.
- Occurs mainly on the upper slopes in the strongly undulating plains and hilly terrain.
Charlton Sandy Clay (CH sc)
Profile Morphology:
Surface Soil
- 10-15 cm thick.
- Brown to dark reddish brown.
- Sandy clay.
Subsoil
- Dark reddish brown to yellowish red. Various degrees of mottling usually occur at about 50 cm. The main colours often become predominantly yellowish red to yellowish brown at depth.
- Medium to heavy clay.
Soil Inclusions:
- Varied amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate are commonly found at depths as shallow as 10 cm.
- Trace to slight amounts of fine crystals of gypsum may occur in the deep subsoils.
Analytical Data for Selected Depths Down the Profile:
Depth | pH | Total Soluble Salts | Sodium Chloride | Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar | Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar |
- | - | % | % | % | % |
A | 8.0 | 0.053 | 0.012 | 13.2 | 22.0 |
B | 8.9 | 0.132 | 0.066 | 25.5 | 40.3 |
C | 9.2 | 0.390 | 0.152 | 24.6 | 42.9 |
Occurrence:
Charlton sandy clay is usually found on the lower slopes and level areas of the gently undulating plains.
Phases:
Shallow surface:
- The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 6 cm (range 5-9 cm).
- Occurs mainly on the level areas of the gently undulating plains.
