Merricks clay (Me,c)
The Merricks clay mapping unit are areas that are heavier than the Merricks mapping unit. Merricks clay has a dark grey, light clay surface soil and less conspicuous bleaches, or no bleaches at all. The medium or heavy clays generally begin before 300 mm depth. The vegetation and land use is similar to that on the Merricks mapping unit. These soils can best be described as Aquic Vertosols using the Australian Soil Classification. A typical example of the soil in the Merricks clay map unit is pit site GP60.
The proximity of this mapping unit to the sea, its low landscape position and generally shallow watertable, have resulted in soluble salts accumulation in the soil profile to such an extent, as to affect satisfactory pasture growth.
On the Phillip Island map, the areas delineated 'Me,c' are particularly prone to high water tables and salinity. Information on local and intermediate flow systems in weathered Older Volcanics (PDF 120Kb) can be found elsewhere on this website.
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