Roseneath, clay surface and Roseneath, sandy loam (Rn,c:Rn,sl)

This map unit comprises both Roseneath, clay surface and Roseneath, sandy loam surface mapping units with the areas of both, ranging between 30% and 70%.

These Roseneath units are restricted to heavy textured surface soils (Roseneath, clay surface) where some areas are covered by a veneer of sandy loam surface (Roseneath, sandy loam surface) particularly around Strathfieldsaye. Aldrick et al. (1992) included this unit within their Clydebank map unit (Component 3) and Ward (1977) included it within his Reeve map unit.

Geology

Holocene sediments (mostly Qrm with some Qrd – see Geology and Geomorphology) which were most likely deposited under paludal or lacustrine conditions (lake or marshy conditions).

Landform

Marine plain.

Soils

Two main soil types are Roseneath clay surface (Rn,c) and Roseneath sandy loam surface (Rn,sl) with the areas of both ranging between 30% and 70%. .

Both units are described below.


Roseneath, clay surface (Rn,c)

The surface soil, about 30 cm, is generally a black (10YR2/1) to very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2) cracking clay - high in organic matter. With depth, the clay texture becomes mottled with colours including yellowish brown (10YR5/4) and grey (10YR6/1). By about 80 cm depth, the colours are generally grey to light grey (10YR7/1) with distinct yellowish brown mottles. The surface pH is around 6 and the soil becomes alkaline with depth.

The soils are likely to be saline, particularly lower in the profile.

One detailed analysis was carried out on this soil and is reported by Aldrick et al (1992) under Profile Number 41 .
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Roseneath, sandy loam surface (Rn,sl)

These soils have a shallow (less that 30 cm) brownish grey sandy loam to sandy clay loam surface soil overlying dominantly grey to grey brown clay subsoil. No analyses have been carried out on these soils.

Land Use

Mainly grazing.