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Some of the Properties of the Ferruginous Humic Latosols of the Hawaiian Islands
Author(s) -
Sherman G. Donald,
Foster Zera C.,
Fujimoto Charles K.
Publication year - 1949
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1949.036159950013000c0085x
Subject(s) - chemist , citation , library science , associate editor , history , computer science , chemistry , organic chemistry
THE Ferruginous Humic Latosol of the Hawaiian Islands is made up of a group of soils having a horizon in which minerals of a high specific gravity have . been concentrated. The apparent specific gravity of this layer may approach 3.0 which is abnormally high for soils. The minerals which have been isolated from this layer are rich in both iron and titanium oxides. The soil horizon containing the high specific gravity minerals is underlain by a horizon of a very friable clay soil having the physical properties of a silt loam. This horizon has an accumulation of colloids and in the mature profiles it has a high content of hydrated iron oxide. The Ferruginous Humic Latosols have been developed by the process of laterization. Silica has been leached from the profiles of this group and also alumina has been removed from the soil in the mature profiles of the group. Areas of soils belonging to the Ferruginous Humic Latosol have been found on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Lanai. The most extensive development of this group of soils has occurred on the island of Kauai where all five soil families of the group have been identified. The soils have developed on several types of parent materials, but in general the greatest development has appeared in areas having the weathered materials of trachyte rocks. These soils have developed from basalt or in some cases shallow volcanic ash deposits over old soil surfaces. The Ferruginous Humic Latosols are located in areas having an annual rainfall varying from 30 to 150 inches. The distribution of the rainfall is such that wet and dry periods occur with a degree of regularity. In no instance are any of these areas found in regions having continuous wet conditions. The Ferruginous Humic Latosols usually are located on the long slopes having a series of benches or on gently rolling slopes of the intermediate elevations of the mountain peaks or ranges. Onthe lower elevation of these slopes and below the areas of these soils, there have developed soils belonging to the Low Humic Latosol. The Low Humic Latosols, the red soils, have developed under less rainfall and have a more pronounced and longer dry season than the Ferruginous Humic Latosols. The Humic Latosols, the soils of the heavy rainfall areas and continuous wet conditions, are found on the higher elevations of the mountain slopes. Thus, the Ferruginous Humic Latosols are found as soils developed between the wet areas of the higher elevations