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Soil water regimes of soils developed on Keuper Marl
Author(s) -
McGOWAN M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1984.tb00285.x
Subject(s) - marl , soil water , geology , drainage , desiccation , soil horizon , horizon , soil science , geomorphology , ecology , physics , structural basin , astronomy , biology
SUMMARY The deeper horizons of soils developed on Keuper Marl (Worcester Series) often remain unsaturated during the winter, with corresponding high tensions, even when the surface layers are waterlogged. Re‐wetting of the deeper layers is restricted because of the inherent low volume of coarse pores in the B t horizon and because the small volume of desiccation cracks formed during the summer soon disappear on re‐swelling. It is suggested that this unexpected water regime may not be uncommon in soils developed on clay‐shale sediments and that the soil drainage (wetness) classes recognized in England and Wales may need to be modified.