Premium
The Influence of Wind‐Blown Material on the Soils of Massachusetts
Author(s) -
Colby Wm. G.,
Light Mitchell A.,
Bertinuson T. A.
Publication year - 1953
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/sssaj1953.03615995001700040024x
Subject(s) - silt , geology , soil water , mantle (geology) , geochemistry , mineralogy , soil science , geomorphology
Most of the soil profiles of Massachusetts exhibit a surficial mantle of material that is genetically different from the underlying geologic formation. This surficial deposit exhibits a high content of very fine sand and silt and a very low content of the coarse fractions and clay. The deposit is relatively uniform in texture and mineralogical composition throughout its entire depth, irrespective of the underlying geologic formation. Results of field observations and mineralogical and mechanical analysis, give convincing evidence that the surficial mantle is of wind‐blown origin. Although this surficial mantle is not universal in its occurrence, most of the agricultural soils of the state are either entirely of wind‐blown origin or strongly influenced by such material.