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Soil Genesis in a Natrargid‐Haplargid Complex in Northern Montana
Author(s) -
Munn L. C.,
Boehm M. M.
Publication year - 1983
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/sssaj1983.03615995004700060025x
Subject(s) - soil water , geology , infiltration (hvac) , soil science , soil horizon , water table , horizon , environmental science , groundwater , geography , geotechnical engineering , mathematics , geometry , meteorology
Classical theory of the genesis of Natargids (solonetz) involves the upward movement of sodium from a water table. Examination of 24 pedons representing four Soil Series developed in glacial till on the Northern Great Plains (Montana) suggests that Natrargids (solonetz and solodized‐solonetz) and Haplargids (soloth) can develop in the absence of a water table. The four soils occur as a complex on “panspot” rangeland with the soloth and solodized‐solonetz on microknolls and the solonetz in microdepressions. The panspot soils have significantly ( p = 0.01) greater B horizon clay contents than associated non‐panspot soils. X‐ray diffraction analyses indicate decomposition of smectite inherited from the parent material in the sola of all soils. Solonization of the panspots is driven by reduced infiltration and subsurface water movement in response to matric and osmotic potential gradients. Panspots occur over high points in the till‐shale boundary where the wetting front penetrates into the salty, calcareous till. Movement of sodium upwards from the shale contact results in dispersion of the panspot B horizon. Natric horizon development causes reduced infiltration and subsurface interpedon translocation of water, salts, and amorphous materials.