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.

Soil-Profile-11-Springer

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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