This profile is an example of the dark loamy soils found on the lower slopes on Tocal. They are formed from basalt colluvium over shale.
Dermosols on Tocal tend to:
- be moderately well to imperfectly drained,
- have gradational profiles with a structured B2 horizon,
- have a deep humic topsoil which is acidic, and
- be weakly weathered and weakly leached - pH increases with depth.
Profile description
- 0cm: A1 horizon.Dark greyish brown loam. Trace of gravel. Hard surface soil. Crumbly topsoil. Abundant plant roots. Good drainage. pH 5.1
- 21cm: A2 horizon.Greyish brown sandy loam. Slight to moderate gravel content. Plant roots are common. Drainage is good although structure is massive. A worm was found at 30cm. pH 5.8
- 40cm: B1 horizon.Dark greyish brown sandy loam. Some gravel, Plant roots are common. Drainage is good although structure is massive. There are a few worm channels at 40-50cm. pH 5.8
- 62cm: B2 horizon.Dark greyish brown light medium clay with a trace of gravel. Structure is angular blocky. Roots are common. Drainage is fair. pH 5.7
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