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The Role of Vertic Subgroups in the Comprehensive Soil Classification System
Author(s) -
DeMent James A.,
Bartelli Lindo J.
Publication year - 1969
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/sssaj1969.03615995003300010034x
Subject(s) - vertisol , soil water , unified soil classification system , inceptisol , soil science , usda soil taxonomy , soil classification , geology , mineralogy , environmental science
The application of soil surveys to nonfarm as well as to farm uses is reflected in recent modifications of the Comprehensive Soil Classification System. A case in point is the creation of vertic subgroups. Soils of vertic subgroups fail Vertisols primarily because they lack gilgai relief, intersecting slickensides, and parallelepiped structural aggregates. However, in having cracking properties peculiar to Vertisols, they are inappropriate to typic subgroups of other soil orders. Data from selected soils indicate that the cracking properties are related primarily to mineralogy and clay content. Soils dominated by montmorillonitic clay and having a clay content exceeding 40% are most common to the vertic subgroups. In addition, these soils most commonly have a Unified Soil Classification of CH or MH. They have unstable behavior with regard to engineering structures and are referred to by engineers as having a high content of “fat” clays. The Comprehensive Soil Classification System allows discussion of this unique group of soils at the subgroup level.