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Understanding Technical Soil Descriptions

Understanding Technical Soil Descriptions. Used by soil scientists to describe a soil profile in detail. Provides the reader with a clear picture of the soil. Uses standardized terminology in a set order. Enables the soil scientist to classify the soil.

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Understanding Technical Soil Descriptions

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  1. UnderstandingTechnicalSoil Descriptions

  2. Used by soil scientists to describe a soil profile in detail. Provides the reader with a clear picture of the soil. Uses standardized terminology in a set order. Enables the soil scientist to classify the soil. Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. What is a technical soil description?

  3. Describing Soils • The official guide to describing soils in the United States is published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center. • An online version is available at: http://soils.usda.gov/technical/fieldbook/

  4. Soil series name Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  5. Soil series name Surface texture Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  6. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  7. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  8. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  9. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Horizon designation Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  10. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Horizon designation Horizon depth Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  11. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Horizon designation Horizon depth Matrix color Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  12. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Horizon designation Horizon depth Matrix color Texture Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  13. Soil series name Surface texture Slope Erosion class Location Horizon designation Horizon depth Matrix color Texture Mottles Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  14. Structure Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  15. Structure Consistence Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  16. Structure Consistence Roots Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  17. Structure Consistence Roots Coarse fragments Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  18. Structure Consistence Roots Coarse fragments Surface features Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  19. Structure Consistence Roots Coarse fragments Surface features Reaction Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  20. Structure Consistence Roots Coarse fragments Surface features Reaction Boundary Georgeville silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded; in Chatham County, about 2.0 miles southwest of Silk Hope on Secondary Road 1003, 400 feet north in field, next to log cabin. Ap=0 to 7 inches; red (2.5YR 4/6) silty clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and non-plastic; few fine roots; 5 percent by volume quartz gravel; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. Bt1=7 to 44 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine roots; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2=44 to 52 inches; red (2.5YR 4/8) silty clay loam; common medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common distinct clay films on faces of peds; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. C=52 to 62 inches; reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/8) silt loam saprolite; common medium prominent red (2.5YR 4/8) mottles; massive; friable; very strongly acid. A Typical Soil Description

  21. SOIL HORIZON A SOIL HORIZONis a layer of soil, approximately parallel to the soil surface, with characteristics produced by soil-forming processes. A description of a soil profile consists mainly of describing the different horizons present. Soil horizons are separated based on characteristics observed in the field. Thickness and depth of each horizon below the soil surface are measured and recorded.

  22. MAJOR HORIZONS O horizons: Layers dominated by fresh or partly decomposed organic matter.

  23. MAJOR HORIZONS A horizons:Mineral horizons that formed at the surface or below the O horizon with partly to highly decomposed organic matter.

  24. MAJOR HORIZONS E horizon: mineral horizon characterized by light color due to the loss of clay, iron, and aluminum, leaving a concentration of sand or silt particles.

  25. MAJOR HORIZONS B horizons: mineral horizon that has an accumulation of clay, iron, and humus. It is the horizon of maximum development due to soil forming processes.

  26. MAJOR HORIZONS C horizons: horizon containing saprolite or sediments (parent material) that have relatively little development which upon weathering form soil (hard bedrock is excluded from this layer).

  27. SUBHORIZON SYMBOLS • b--a buried horizon. • g--strong gleying. • h--illuvial accumulation of organic matter. • p--tillage or other disturbance • r--weathered or soft bedrock • ss--presence of slickensides • t--accumulation of silicate clay • v-- presence of plinthite • x--fragipan character

  28. SOIL COLOR Measured by comparison with a standard color chart. The most commonly used chart is taken from the Munsell color system and includes only that part needed for soil colors, about one fifth of the entire range of hue. The standard Munsell chart for soil color consists of about 175 different colored paint chips, systematically arranged according to their Munsell notations.

  29. SOIL COLOR • The Munsell color system uses three elements of color--hue, value, and chroma to make up a specific color notation. The notation is recorded in the form: hue, value/chroma--for example, 10YR 6/3.

  30. HUE • identifies the quality of color registered by the eye as related to the wavelength of the light that reaches the eye. The Munsell system is based on five principal hues • red(R) • yellow(Y) • green(G) • blue(B) • purple(P). 10YR

  31. VALUE • indicates the degree of lightness or darkness of a color in relation to a neutral gray scale. On a neutral gray scale, value extends from pure black (0/) to pure white (10/). Gray is perceived as about halfway between black and white and has a value notation of 5/.

  32. CHROMA • indicates the relative purity or strength of the spectral color. Chroma indicates the degree of dilution of a color by neutral gray of the same value. The scales of chroma for soils extend from /0 for neutral colors to /8 for the strongest expression of color used for soils.

  33. SOIL MOTTLING • Mottling refers to repetitive color changes that cannot be associated with compositional properties of the soil. Mottling is the occurrence of more than one color in a soil horizon. When two or more colors are present in about equal proportions then the soil color is noted as a mottled layer. When one color dominates and other colors are of minor extent, the dominant color is shown as the matrix color and the minor colors are listed as mottles.

  34. Abundance • Few--mottles are <2% of the surface of the soil (f) • Common--mottles are 2-20% of the surface of the soil (c) • Many--mottles are >20% of the surface of the soil (m)

  35. SIZE • Fine--mottles are <5 mm (1) • Medium--mottles are 5-15mm (2) • Coarse--mottles are >15 mm (3)

  36. CONTRAST • Faint--matrix and mottle colors are closely related (f) • Distinct--matrix and mottles vary 1-2 hues and several units in chroma and value (d) • Prominent--matrix and mottles vary several units (p)

  37. REDOXIMORPHIC FEATURES • Redox depletions (iron depletions, clay depletions) • Redox concentrations (masses, pore linings, nodules) redox depletion redox concentration

  38. REDOXIMORPHIC FEATURES • EXAMPLE: A mottle not associated with wetness: c3d 7.5YR 6/6 would be labeled in the description as common coarse distinct reddish yellow mottles. • EXAMPLE: A mottle associated with wetness: c3d 7.5YR 6/6 may be labeled in the description as common coarse distinct reddish yellow iron masses (pore linings, iron concretions).

  39. SOIL STRUCTURE Formed when the sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil cling or stick together. Structure is important in water movement and root development in soils. It is determined by the dominant structural type in an undisturbed natural volume of soil. In describing structure, grade, size, and form are used.

  40. platy (pl) prismatic (pr) angular blocky (abk) subangular blocky (sbk) granular (gr) massive (m) FORM

  41. GRADE The degree to which soil particles have been formed into distinct and durable peds. • structureless-- no obvious aggregation (0) • weak--poorly formed indistinct peds (1) • moderate--well formed distinct peds (2) • strong--well formed distinct peds that withstand displacement (3)

  42. very fine (vf) fine (f) medium (m) coarse (c) very coarse (vc) SIZE

  43. SOIL STRUCTURE moderate medium subangular blocky structure (2msbk) strong fine granular structure (3fgr)

  44. CONSISTENCE Refers to the attributes of soil material as expressed in degree of cohesion and adhesion or in resistance to deformation on rupture. It includes: • resistance of soil material to rupture • resistance to penetration • plasticity, toughness, and stickiness of puddled soils material, and • the manner in which the soil material behaves when subject to compression.

  45. RUPTURERESISTANCE (MOIST SOIL) • Loose--soil material is non-cohesive (l) • Very Friable--aggregates crush easily between thumb and finger (vfr) • Friable--gentle thumb and finger pressure is required to crush aggregate (fr) • Firm--moderate thumb and finger pressure is required to crush aggregates (fi) • Very Firm--strong thumb and finger pressure is required to crush aggregates (vfi) • Extremely Firm--aggregates cannot be broken by thumb and finger pressure (efi)

  46. STICKINESS CLASSES (WET SOIL) • Nonsticky--almost no natural adhesion of soil material to fingers (so) • Slightly Sticky--soil material adheres to one finger but other finger is clean (ss) • Sticky--soil material adheres to both fingers and thumb; stretches somewhat (s) • Very Sticky--soil material strongly adheres to both thumb and finger (vs)

  47. PLASTICITY CLASSES (WET SOIL) • Nonplastic--no wire is formable by rolling material between the hands (po) • Slightly Plastic--only short (<1 cm) wires are formed by rolling material between the hands (ps) • Plastic--long wires (>1 cm) can be formed and moderate pressure is needed to deform a block of molded material (p) • Very Plastic--much pressure is needed to deform a lock of molded material (vp)

  48. SOIL BOUNDARY A surface or transitional layer between two adjoining horizons. It is roughly parallel to the soil surface. Most boundaries are zones of transition rather than sharp lines of division. Boundaries vary in distinctness and topography.

  49. DISTINCTNESS Refers to the thickness of the zone within which the boundary can be located without being within one or the other adjoining horizons. It depends partly on the degree of contrast between the adjacent layers and partly on the thickness of the transition zone between them. • abrupt--less than 2 cm thick (a) • clear--2 to 5 cm thick (c) • gradual--5 to 15 cm thick (g) • diffuse--more than 15 cm thick (d)

  50. TOPOGRAPHY refers to the irregularities of the surface that divides the horizons. • smooth boundary is a plane with few or no irregularities (s) • wavy boundary has undulations in which depressions are wider than they are deep (w) • irregular boundary has pockets that are deeper than they are wide (i) • broken one or both of the horizons or layers separated by the boundary are discontinuous and the boundary is interrupted (b)

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