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Anthropic Epipedons in Oyster Shell Middens of Maryland
Author(s) -
Kaufman Ian R.,
James Bruce R.
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/sssaj1991.03615995005500040049x
Subject(s) - midden , soil water , horizon , ultisol , anthropic principle , oyster , environmental science , ecology , geography , archaeology , soil science , biology , mathematics , physics , geometry , theoretical physics
Citric acid extractable P is the principal criterion used in the taxonomic classification of soils to distinguish mollic and anthropic epipedons, but the method has not been standardized or evaluated for soils strongly influenced by low‐P, high‐CaCO 3 shells in oyster middens. This method was used on oyster‐midden‐affected A horizon samples associated with Ultisols along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland to clarify its utility for this type of human‐influenced soil. Five of six midden‐soil A horizons contained >250 mg of extractable P 2 O 5 /kg. The soil horizon meeting mollic criteria was clearly human influenced, with deposition of shells and other evidence of human settlement. The citric acid test appeared appropriate in most cases, but an anthropic subgrouping would aid in classifying these soils, especially for those soils with mollic epipedons that are visually identified as anthropogenic.