MM448

Site: MM448	Land Unit: Purnin-Bushfield Basalts
*Aust. Soil Class.:* Ferric-Sodic, ?, Black CHROMOSOL (confidence level 3)

General Land Unit Description:
The gently undulating basalt plains in the Purnim – Bushfield area, east of Warrnambool, consist of an association of Brown and Black Chromosols and Sodosols. Many of the soils have abundant levels of ferromanganiferous nodules, either at depth or above the clay. Floating rocks and stones throughout the profile can also occur. There are minor occurrences of Black Vertosols, particularly in close proximity to the valley walls and slopes adjacent to the Merri River and Drysdale Creek.

Site Description:

Geology: Quaternary basalt	Landform pattern: Gently undulating to level plain
Position in landscape: Upper slope	Internal drainage: Imperfectly drained

Soil Profile Morphology

A1	0-15 cm	Black (10YR2/1) clay loam, hard setting surface, apedal, firm consistence when dry, pH 5.2. Sharp transition to:
	Subsoil
B21	15-50 cm	Very dark brown (10YR2/2) medium clay, strong blocky structure (5-10 mm), pH 5.8. Clear transition to:
B22	50-70 cm	Very dark brown (10YR2/2) medium clay, moderate blocky structure (5-10 mm), coarse fragments (>600 mm) are common. Gradual transition to:
B23	70+ cm	Yellowish brown (10YR5/6), medium clay, ferromanganiferous nodules are abundant, pH 6.1.

Key profile features:

Strongly acidic topsoil
Strong texture contrast between topsoil and subsoil
Floating rocks and stones are common
Ferromanganiferious nodules are abundant at depth
Deeper subsoil dispersive when dry

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