OTR489

Location: Torquay

Australian Soil Classification: Humose-Mottled, Melacic, Red KANDOSOL Ceteric, Pedal, Calcic CALCAROSOL
Northcote Factual Key: Gc2.21

General Landscape Description: Rolling Rises/Low Hills
Site Description: Hillslope – upper slope Aspect: South-Westerly
Native Vegetation: Woodland; E. viminalis (Manna Gum)
Geology: Tot: Paleogene (Tertiary); marine sediments; marl, clay, silt (Jan Juc Formation)/Quaternary alluvium

Red limestone rise west of Torquay

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1	0-10 cm	Reddish brown (5YR4/4); sandy clay loam; weak crumb structure; clear boundary to:
Subsoil
B21	10-30 cm	Yellowish red (5YR4/6); medium clay; strong medium subangular blocky; diffuse boundary to:
B22	30-70 cm	Yellowish red (5YR4/6); medium clay; strong medium subangular blocky structure; soft accumulations of calcium carbonate; abrupt boundary to:
C	70+ cm	Weathering limestone and marl.

Soil Profile Characteristics:

	pH	Salinity Rating
Surface (A1 horizon)	Slightly Acid	Low
Subsoil (B21 horizon)	Slightly Acid	High
Deeper Subsoil (at 70 cm)	Slightly Acid	-

This profile is slightly acid.

The salinity rating is low in the surface and high in the upper subsoil.

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	EC dS/m	P ppm	K ppm


A1	0-10	6.5	0.099	11	340
B21	10-20	6.1	0.064	4	240
B22	30-50	6.7	0.113	3	580

Management Considerations:
Limestone can provide the calcium so often lacking in Victorian soils but may occur in high concentrations that prove too alkaline for some plants (affecting soil nutrient availability and be restrictive to root movement where close to the surface). The shallow sandy topsoil (generally 10cm or less) has a reduced water holding capacity limiting root growth and high susceptibility to wind erosion. Calcium carbonate nodules (segregations, soft and hard) are derived from the source parent material (limestone).

Profile Described By: A. Thornley, 11th August 1969.

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