Soil Classification

EVB212 Soils and the Environment

Dijalmi de Souza Lima Junior 9381457

Lecturer: Clemens Scheer.

Isbell, R. The Australian soil classification. Translation . Collingwood, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Pub., 2002.
1. Practical Exercise Introduction

Tree samples of unidentified soil core (Figure 01) with 1 m long approximately have been laid out on
the benches, so students could inspect each profile, determine its defining properties and identify the
horizons. Using the Australian Soil Classification key (Isbell 2002), the students should classify each
soil profile and provide some information about land use and the best suitability associated with it.

2. Soil Core Samples.

Figure 01 Samples of Soil Core.

Each of the cores has been submitted to a classification process consisting in different tests in order to
identify the soil type. The tests performed at the soil samples are described in table 01 below.

TEST DESCRIPTION

Identification of texture groups based on the ribboning behaviour of moist soils, worked
Texture
in the hand, to identify the ribbon length, the textural class and Sandiness/grittiness.

Colour A comparison of a soil sample for each horizon with the colour chips on the colour charts.

pH A comparison of a soil sample for each horizon with the pH identification chart.

Organic Applying a drop or two of H2O2 to a soil sample on the A horizon and upper B horizon
Matter and observe the intensity of fizzing, if any.
Table 01 Test types and description.

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3. Analysis of Soil Core Samples.

3.1. Analysis of Soil Sample 1.

35 cm 12 cm 18 cm 19 cm
A B1 B2 C

Table 2 Soil Core 1 Analysis.

A B1 B2 C
HORIZON

Loamy sand Loamy sand, No sandy grains, Loamy Sand, very gritty with
Texture /
T some organic Gritty, some Light clay white spots (possibly quartz?),
Characteristics
E matter. clay. very smooth. Barely sticks, very close to sand.

S
Dark brown. Light brown. Yellow brown. Yellow brown with white spots.
T Colour
(7.5 YR 3/2) (10 YR 5/8) (10 YR 5/4) (10 YR 5/6)

T
pH 4.5 5.0 6.0 6.5
Y
P
E Organic Low reaction No reaction to No reaction to
No reaction to H2O2.
Matter to H2O2 H2O2. H2O2.

3.2. Results and Discussion for Soil Sample 1.

Utilising the Key to Soil Orders provided by the practical manual, the gathered data has been compared
and according to Isbell (2002), when a clear or abrupt textural change is observed at the B horizon, like
what is seen at the sample, a large difference between the texture of the A and B horizons, and it is not
strongly acid, the soil can be classified as a Chromosol, which is the case of the sample number 1, and
also that sample belongs to the suborder AB, since the dominant colour is brown.

Isbell (2002) also states that Chromosols are one of the most common types of soils used for
agricultural processes in Australia, especially those with presence of red subsoils.

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 3.3. Analysis of Soil Sample 2.

3 cm 47 cm 41.5 cm
O Layer B2.1 B2.2

Table 3 Soil Core 2 Analysis.

O Layer B2.1 B2.2

HORIZON

Organic Matter Clay Loam, coherent plastic Clay loam, coherent

Texture /
T essentially. Smooth to bolus, smooth to manipulate, plastic bolus, smooth to
Characteristics
E manipulate. approx. 40 mm ribbon. manipulate.

S
Mostly brown. Very red. Yellow red.
T Colour
7.5 YR 3/3 2.5 YR 3/6 7.5 YR 5/8

T
pH 5.5 4.5 5
Y
P
Organic High reaction to H2O2
E No reaction to H2O2. No reaction to H2O2.
Matter Very Fizzy.

3.4. Results and Discussion for Soil Sample 2.

Utilising the Key to Soil Orders provided by the practical manual, the gathered data has been compared
and according to Isbell (2002), when a soil contain B2 horizons, which are characterised by high levels
of free iron oxide, and the soil type do not have clear or abrupt textural B horizons, the soil can be
classified as a Ferrosol, which is the case of the sample number 2. Furthermore that sample belongs to
the suborder AA, since according to Isbell (2002) the dominant colour is red.

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 1.1. Analysis of Soil Sample 3.

8 cm 89 cm
O Layer P

O Layer P
HORIZON

T Organic Matter essentially. Smooth to manipulate. Heavy Clay

Texture / Characteristics
E
S
Colour 10 YR 3/3 10 YR 2/2
T

pH 6.5 7.0
T
Y
High reaction to H2O2 High reaction to H2O2
P H2O2
Very Fizzy. Very Fizzy.
E

1.2. Results and Discussion for Soil Sample 3.

Utilising the Key to Soil Orders provided by the practical manual, the gathered data has been compared
and according to Isbell (2002), soils with more than 35% clay, that has shrink swell properties and
demonstrates strong cracking with low humidity and at depth have slickensides and / or lenticular
structural aggregates, which is the case of the sample 3, therefore it is classified as a Vertosol and the
suborder is AE, since the dominant colour is black. Moreover, because cracking, slickensides and
lenticular peds are essentially used as evidence to indicate shrink swell behaviour, it is desirable that
surrogate measurements be available if the morphological evidence is lacking or cannot be determined.