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The Lithoplinthic Horizon, a Diagnostic Horizon for Soil Taxonomy
Author(s) -
Smith Guy D.,
A. Pedro Brito,
Luque Oswaldo
Publication year - 1977
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/sssaj1977.03615995004100060044x
Subject(s) - horizon , ironstone , usda soil taxonomy , geology , soil horizon , soil water , soil science , earth science , mineralogy , geochemistry , mathematics , soil classification , geometry
A new diagnostic horizon, the lithoplinthic horizon, is proposed for an indurated ironstone that contains many irregular, tubular, channels filled with fine earth, that conduct water and permit plant roots to reach underlying horizons. It is hard rock for many engineering interpretations and soil for interpretations for plant growth. It is proposed that, if there are no overlying diagnostic horizons other than an ochric epipedon, the soils should be classified as lithoplinthic subgroups of Orthents. Use of family classes of particle size and depth is proposed, but not of mineralogy.