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Ailey soil series

A soil profile of the Ailey soil series from the upper coastal plain of South Carolina.

 

Depth Class: Moderately deep or deep to fragic soil properties and (where present) deep or very deep to densic materials

Drainage Class (Agricultural): Well drained or somewhat excessively drained

Internal Free Water Occurrence: Very deep or deep, common, thin

Flooding Frequency and Duration: None

Ponding Frequency and Duration: None

Index Surface Runoff: Negligible to very high

Slowest Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity: Moderately low

Shrink-swell Potential: Low

Landscape: Middle and upper coastal plain, sandhills

Landform: Marine terraces, low hills

Geomorphic Component: Interfluves, side slopes

Hillslope Profile Position: Summits, shoulders, backslopes

Parent Material: Fluviomarine deposits, marine deposits

Slope: 0 to 25 percent

 

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Arenic Kanhapludults

 

Ailey series were formerly classified as Fragiudults. The pedogenic firmness and brittleness of the Btx horizon is not as extensive as in a fragipan. Depth to fragic soil properties is 26 to 60 inches. The dense and compact properties of the Cd horizon are root-restrictive but are not thought to be pedogenic. Reclassification to Hapludults was recommended by the Coastal Plains-Dense Soils Properties Study, February 23, 1982. Classification was changed to Kanhapludults as agreed to October 29, 1987 at the SNTC State Soil Scientist meeting. The volume of brittleness was revised (2005) from 10 to 40 percent to 30 to 60 percent to reflect the range common to the fragic subgroup.

 

The central concept of Ailey soils, are to have significant fragic soil properties as to affect water movement and root penetration but not as significant to classify as a fragipan. It is anticipated with the next revision to Soil Taxonomy the series Great group will be changed to Arenic "Fragic" Kanhapludults if or when this subgroup is recognized. The present range in soil properties allows for Ailey soils to have a perched seasonal water table from four to six feet or below six feet. Additional study is needed to determine if these soils are interpretatively similar and have the same basic soil properties.

 

Ultimately, it is anticipated Ailey soils will be split into two series; one with densic materials for the Sand Hills area and one without the Cd layer for the Coastal Plain area. The series is extensive, over 700,000 acres.

 

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Uploaded on December 22, 2010
Taken in January 2006