CLRA41

Location: Lake Victoria (Shell Road), Ocean Grove District, Bellarine Peninsula

Australian Soil Classification: Melanic, Regolithic, Bleached-Leptic TENOSOL


General Landscape Description: Dune crest of coastal dunes unit.
Geology: Quaternary coastal dune deposits: aeolian coastal and inland dunes; dune sand, some swamp deposits.


CLRA41 Landscape. Coastal low land dune field

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1	0–10	Dark grey (10YR4/1); sand; apedal single grain structure; sandy fabric; very weak consistence dry; non-calcareous, pH 7.5; clear boundary to:				CLRA41 Profile
2A11	10–20	Very dark grey (2.5Y3/1); loamy sand; apedal single grain structure; earthy fabric; very weak consistence dry; non-calcareous, pH 8.0; clear boundary to:
2A12	20–30	Brown (7.5YR5/2); sand; apedal single grain structure; earthy fabric; very weak consistence dry; non-calcareous, pH 7.0; sharp boundary to:
2A21	30–75	Greyish brown (10YR5/2), conspicuously bleached light grey (10YR7/2 dry); sand; apedal single grain structure; sandy fabric; loose consistence dry; non-calcareous; pH 7.5; diffuse boundary to:
2A22	75–110	Brown (10YR5/3), light brownish grey (10YR6/2 dry); sand; apedal single grain structure; sandy fabric; loose consistence dry; slightly calcareous, pH 8.0; sharp boundary to:
Subsoil
2B2	110–125	Strong brown (7.5YR5/6); sandy clay; common large angular calcarenite coarse fragments; weak medium prismatic structure; smooth fabric; very firm moderately consistence moist; few distinct other cutans; very highly calcareous, pH 9.5.

• This is a neutral to alkaline sandy soil with a heavier subsoil at depth (125cm). Sandy topsoils generally have poor plant water holding capacity and poor nutrient holding capacity and due to the low level of bonding between soil particles are prone to wind, sheet and rill erosion (depending on organic matter content and vegetative cover). This site has an organic surface soil which is protecting the material with loose/weak consistence below. These soils may be hydrophobic (in conjunction with organic coatings) when dry, taking time to reabsorb moisture. It is helpful to reduce the wetting/drying cycle and as well as increase organic matter and clay content (clay spreading is practiced in western Victoria). Sandy topsoils do however drain rapidly. Maintenance of a vegetative cover is important.

• The bleached A2 horizons (or subsurface soils) are a major feature here as are many of soils within the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region. They are an indication of restricted drainage, poor soil structure (often massive) and low organic matter, nutrient and water holding capacity, nearly always in conjunction with a restrictive soil below such as a clayey soil or a pan (eg. coffee rock), though here they are still alkaline. These bleached horizons may act as conduit for subsurface flow, particularly on sloping ground. If the soil is dispersive then gypsum application would be suitable, while increasing organic matter and maintaining vegetative cover is important.