Densic materials (Figure 35).
Densic materials.—A diagnostic soil characteristic consisting of relatively unaltered, noncemented (i.e., they slake in water), compact, and root-restrictive soil materials. The compaction is non-pedogenic and may be geologic or human induced. Densic materials commonly consist of earthy materials such as dense glacial till or volcanic mudflows, but they include mechanically compacted materials such as those in a plow pan or heavily trafficked area. Noncemented rock such as highly weathered, unconsolidated sandstone can also be considered densic material. Densic materials, by definition, cannot also meet the criteria for any other diagnostic horizon or characteristic. Their definition was included in the 7th edition of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy (1996) in part to accommodate the decision to not recognize fragipans in relatively unaltered dense glacial till. See paralithic materials and slake.
Figure 35.—Examples of soils with densic materials.
Left photo: Soil profile of Mitchellbay soil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquultic Haploxeralfs). The Mitchellbay series consists of moderately deep (to densic materials) somewhat poorly drained soils formed in glacial drift over glaciomarine deposits. Mitchellbay soils are in valleys and on glacial drift plains and have slopes of 0 to 25 percent.
Middle photo: Soil profile of Poquonock soil (mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamments). The Poquonock series consists of very deep, well drained, soils formed in sandy eolian or glaciofluvial material over loamy or sandy lodgement till on uplands. They are moderately deep to a densic contact and very deep to bedrock. They are nearly level through moderately steep soils on till plains, moraines and drumlins.
Right photo: Soil profile of Woodbridge soil (coarse-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Dystrudepts). The Woodbridge series consists of moderately well drained loamy soils formed in lodgment till. They are very deep to bedrock and moderately deep to a densic contact. They are nearly level to moderately steep soils on hills, drumlins, till plains, and ground moraines.
Densic materials (Figure 35).
Densic materials.—A diagnostic soil characteristic consisting of relatively unaltered, noncemented (i.e., they slake in water), compact, and root-restrictive soil materials. The compaction is non-pedogenic and may be geologic or human induced. Densic materials commonly consist of earthy materials such as dense glacial till or volcanic mudflows, but they include mechanically compacted materials such as those in a plow pan or heavily trafficked area. Noncemented rock such as highly weathered, unconsolidated sandstone can also be considered densic material. Densic materials, by definition, cannot also meet the criteria for any other diagnostic horizon or characteristic. Their definition was included in the 7th edition of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy (1996) in part to accommodate the decision to not recognize fragipans in relatively unaltered dense glacial till. See paralithic materials and slake.
Figure 35.—Examples of soils with densic materials.
Left photo: Soil profile of Mitchellbay soil (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Aquultic Haploxeralfs). The Mitchellbay series consists of moderately deep (to densic materials) somewhat poorly drained soils formed in glacial drift over glaciomarine deposits. Mitchellbay soils are in valleys and on glacial drift plains and have slopes of 0 to 25 percent.
Middle photo: Soil profile of Poquonock soil (mixed, mesic Typic Udipsamments). The Poquonock series consists of very deep, well drained, soils formed in sandy eolian or glaciofluvial material over loamy or sandy lodgement till on uplands. They are moderately deep to a densic contact and very deep to bedrock. They are nearly level through moderately steep soils on till plains, moraines and drumlins.
Right photo: Soil profile of Woodbridge soil (coarse-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Dystrudepts). The Woodbridge series consists of moderately well drained loamy soils formed in lodgment till. They are very deep to bedrock and moderately deep to a densic contact. They are nearly level to moderately steep soils on hills, drumlins, till plains, and ground moraines.