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Marong map unit Qbf

Back to: A Land Capability Study of the Rural City of Marong

Map Unit:Quaternary basalt, very gentle slopeMap Unit Symbol:Qbf
% of Study Area: 3.2

Land-form diagram for marong map unit qbf

General Description:
The non rocky, very gentle slopes are a common component of the basalt plain. The dominant soils are duplex with dark reddish brown clay loam topsoils and red heavy clay subsoils which grade into bright brown, mottled heavy clays. Calcareous nodules occur at depth. Minor variations include a decrease in clay content in the subsoil so that profiles become gradational or uniform throughout. The minor drainage depressions are only slight and have similar soil types therefore they have not been delineated.

Site characteristics:

Parent material age: Quaternary Depth seasonal watertable:> 2 m
Lithology: basaltPotential recharge to groundwater:Moderate
Landform Pattern:Lava plain Flooding risk:Nil
Element:slopeDrainage:Well drained
Slope common:2%Depth to hardrock: > 1.5 m
Slope range: 0-3%
Rock outcrop: 0%

Major vegetation: Buloke, Yellow Box, Grey Box, Juncus spp., Capeweed, Onion grass, Wallaby Grass, Kangaroo Grass

Present land use: Grazing, cropping - broad acre


Land
degradation:
Water erosion
Wind erosion
Salting
Acidification
Sheet/rill
Gully
Susceptibility
Moderate
Low
Low
Low
Moderate
Incidence
Moderate
Nil
Low
Nil
Low


Soil profile characteristics:

Permeability (measured - average, range):1370, 950 - 1680 mm/day
Permeability (estimated):
Available water capacity:270 mm H2O
Linear shrinkage (B horizon):9.8%

Soil profile description:

A10 - 20 cmDark reddish brown (5YR3/3) clay loam, moderate structure, subangular blocky peds 5-10 mm, smooth fabric, moderately firm consistence, moderate organic matter, pH 5.4. Clear transition to
B2120 - 38 cm20-38 cm Reddish brown (2.5YR4/6) light medium clay, moderate structure, subangular blocky peds 10-20 mm, smooth fabric, moderately weak consistence, pH 6.5. Gradual transition to
B2238 - 59 cmBright brown (7.5 YR5/6) heavy clay, many distinct red mottles, strong structure, subangular blocky peds 2-5 mm, smooth fabric, moderately weak consistence, pH 6.9. Gradual transition to
B2359 - 90 cmBright brown (7.5YR5/6) heavy clay, a few distinct yellow mottles, weak structure, angular blocky peds 2-5 mm, smooth fabric, moderately firm consistence, less than 2% ironstone and basalt fragments, pH 8.0. Clear transition to
B390 - 150 + cmReddish brown (2.5YR4/6) heavy clay, many distinct yellow/orange mottles, strong structure, subangular blocky peds 2-5 mm, moderately strong consistence, many ferruginous and calcareous nodules, pH 9.3.


Soil classification:

Factual Key (Northcote):Dr2.13 (major), Gn3.12/3, Uf6.31 (minor)
Australian Soil Classification:Haplic, Eutrophic, Red, Chromosol; very deep, medium, clay loamy,non-gravelly
Unified Soil Group: CL


Interpretation of soil analyses*

Horizon
pH
Gravel
%
E.C.
(salts)
Nutrient
Status
P
K
Al
Organic
Matter
Dispersibility
A1
5.4**
3.9
VL
L
D
S
T
M
M
B21
6.5
1.9
VL
L
D
S
S
L
M
B22
6.9
<1
VL
M
D
S
S
L
M
B23
8.0
0.5
VL
M
D
S
S
L
H
B3
9.3
22.8
L
H
D
S
S
VL
H
VL : Very Low; L : Low; M : Moderate; H : High; VH : Very High; D : Deficient; S : Satisfactory; T : Toxic; **: Acid * See Appendix 4 for analytical results


Land capability assessment

Land Use
Class
Major limiting feature(s)/ landuse
Agriculture (CTS values)
C3T2S3
Moderately susceptible to sheet/rill erosion, moderately dispersibile topsoil, moderate permeability index, climate
Effluent disposal (septic tanks)
2
Nil, however rapid permeability - risk of polluting groundwater
Farm dams (earthen)
5
Rapid permeability
Building foundations - slab
2
Nil
Building foundations - stumps/footings
2
Nil
Secondary roads
3
Universal Soil group
Urban residential
3
Secondary roads
Rural residential
5
Farm dams
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