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Aggregate Stability of an Eroded and Desurfaced Typic Argiustoll
Author(s) -
Gollany H. T.,
Schumacher T. E.,
Evenson P. D.,
Lindstrom M. J.,
Lemme G. D.
Publication year - 1991
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/sssaj1991.03615995005500030030x
Subject(s) - soil structure , soil science , aggregate (composite) , loam , topsoil , water content , soil water , cation exchange capacity , saturation (graph theory) , environmental science , chemistry , geotechnical engineering , materials science , geology , mathematics , composite material , combinatorics
Aggregate stability is a measure of the ability of soil to withstand the disrupting forces of rain and nonsymmetrical wetting. Erosion may influence aggregate stability by exposing soil with properties different than the original soil surface. This study was conducted to determine: (i) the influence of antecedent soil water content on wet aggregate stability using aggregates prehumidified to near saturation; (ii) the effects of organic C and clay content on the soil water content‐aggregate stability relationship; and (iii) the effect of topsoil removal on aggregate stability. Seventy‐eight soil samples were taken from six profiles of Beadle clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Typic Argiustoll). These samples were analyzed for pH, organic C, texture, CaCO 3 , antecedent soil water content, cation‐exchange capacity (CEC), and aggregate stability. Isolated test plots were also saturated with an overhead sprinkling infiltrometer. Samples were taken periodically throughout a 4‐d period for aggregate‐stability determination. A modified wet sieving technique, which included pre‐humidifying of the sample to near saturation, was used to determine aggregate stability. A negative linear relationship was found between aggregate stability of prehumidified aggregates and antecedent soil water content. Prediction equations were developed that explain up to 77% of variability for the aggregate stability. Organic C was the most important of the independent variables, followed by antecedent soil water content in the multiple regression analysis. Topsoil removal by desurfacing and erosion reduced aggregate stability. Aggregate stabilities for soils with high organic C and clay content were less affected by antecedent soil water content.