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Organic Soils on the Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina
Author(s) -
Dolman J. D.,
Buol S. W.
Publication year - 1968
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/sssaj1968.03615995003200030040x
Subject(s) - peat , swamp , soil water , organic matter , geology , histosol , coastal plain , vegetation (pathology) , environmental science , soil organic matter , soil science , ecology , soil biodiversity , medicine , paleontology , pathology , biology
The organic deposits on the lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina form a blanket of variable thickness over a mineral landscape which was dissected during the Wisconsin glacial period. The characteristics of the soils developed in the organic deposits show a distinct relationship to their position over the pre‐peat landscape. The soils found over the higher parts of the pre‐peat landscape are chiefly classified as Leptists and mineral soils with histic epipedons. They consist of debris from a mixed swamp forest vegetation, have brown to black colors, are well aerated, friable, and show considerable faunal activity. The soils found over the lower parts of the pre‐peat land scape are chiefly classified as Saprists. They are formed from remains of Nyssa‐Taxodium swamp vegetation, have reddishbrown to dark reddish‐brown colors, are poorly aerated and are structureless. When wet they are paste‐like but upon drying they become hard, often irreversibly so. They are more acid than the shallow organic soils, and very little faunal activity is in evidence. Translocation of organic matter can be observed in the shallow organic soil but presently not in the deep area. The organic matter in the deep soil appears to be more resistant to oxidation than that in the shallow organic soil.