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Dynamic Soil Properties across a Suburban Landscape
Author(s) -
Langner Amy N.,
Manu Andrew,
Nath Dan A.
Publication year - 2013
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/sssaj2012.0239
Subject(s) - soil water , loam , bulk density , leaching (pedology) , soil texture , calcareous , environmental science , soil science , zoology , environmental chemistry , chemistry , biology , botany
Soil properties in urban settings are impacted by human activities. This study investigated human influence on dynamic soil properties including bulk density (BD), organic C (OC), pH, and inorganic C (IC) in the suburban environment of Ankeny, IA. Nine periods of urban development were delineated, and 10 homes from each period were randomly selected. Soils were sampled from front yards of these homes. All soils had a loamy texture. Mean BD values were significantly higher (1.70 g cm −3 ) in newer developments than older sites (1.23 g cm −3 ). Bulk density increased significantly with depth. This could be the effect of increased compaction associated with newer and heavier equipment in the case of newer developments and improved aggregation and structural development in soils in older areas. Soils from the 2003 to 2005 period had significantly lower levels of OC (0.49 g kg −1 ) than those from the pre‐1939 period (4.49 g kg −1 ). Mean OC decreased with depth. The pH ranged from 5.4 to 8.5, with a mean of 7.7, and pH increased with time of development and with depth. Disturbance at newer sites could have exposed calcareous till. Long‐term use of acid fertilizers could have decreased surface pH. The amount of IC ranged from 0.11 g kg −1 in the older development to 8.41 g kg −1 in the newest development. The IC increased with depth. These results could indicate that time has impacted the loss of IC through leaching and acid‐forming processes. We conclude that current intensive site preparation techniques significantly affect dynamic soil properties; however, this impact is reduced as the time since the initial disturbance increases.