Your gateway to a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps

Victorian Resources Online

PVI 3

Site: PVI 3Land Unit: Monivae Basalt
Aust. Soil Class.: Ferric, Eutrophic, Brown CHROMOSOL (thick, clay loamy surface) (confidence level 1)

Soil pit PVI 1-3 landscapeGeneral Land Unit Description:
The level to gently undulating basalt plains between Branxholm and Glenthompson consist of an association of Vertic or Ferric Brown Chromosols and Ferric Brown Sodosols. The Chromosols typically occur on the upper slopes and crests of very slight rises that may have scattered surface boulders, and Sodosols on the lower slopes and depressions. Sodosols or Vertosols, occasionally with a sporadic bleached subsurface horizon, are usually found in open depressions or drainage lines.

Site Description:
Geology: Quaternary basaltLandform pattern: Level to gently undulating plain
Position in landscape: Midslope of low riseInternal drainage: Moderately well drained

Soil Profile Morphology

A10-15 cmDark brown (10YR3/3), very fine sandy clay loam, weak coarse blocky structure, weak consistence (dry), pH 5.6. Clear change to:Soil pit PVI 3 profile
A2115-30 cmDark brown (10YR3/3), sporadically bleached, very fine sandy clay loam, firm consistence (dry), many (40%) ferruginous nodules, pH 6.3. Clear change to:
A2230-40 cmClay loam (very fine sandy), massive, very firm consistence (dry), very many (60%) ferruginous nodules, pH 6.6. Clear change to:
Subsoil
B2140-65 cmYellowish brown (10YR5/6) with many (40%) brownish yellow (10YR6/8) and yellowish red (5YR5/8) mottles, light medium clay, weak medium prismatic, parting to strong coarse to medium blocky structure, strong consistence (dry), very many (60%) ferruginous nodules (2-10 mm), few (5%) ferruginous basalt fragments (5-8 mm), some manganese staining, pH 6.8. Gradual change to:
B2265-120 cmYellowish brown (10YR5/4) with many (40%) strong brown (7.5YR5/8) and yellowish red (5YR5/8) mottles, light medium clay, weak medium prismatic, parting to strong coarse to medium to fine blocky structure, few (5%) ferruginous basalt fragments, strong consistence (dry), pH 6.5. Gradual change to:
B23120+ cmYellowish brown (10YR5/4) with light grey (10YR7/1), reddish yellow (7.5YR6/8) and dark red (2.5YR4/8) mottles, medium heavy clay, firm consistence (moist), pH 6.5.

Key Profile Features

  • Strong texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and subsoil (B21) horizon
  • Large amount of ferruginous nodules in subsurface (A2) horizon
Soil Profile Characteristics

pH
Salinity Rating
Sodicity
Dispersion
Surface soil
(A1 horizon)
Moderately Acid
Low
Non-Sodic
None
Upper subsoil
(40-65 cm)
Slightly Acid
Low
Non-Sodic
None
Deeper subsoil
(at 120 cm)
Slightly Acid
Low
Non-Sodic
None

Soil pit PVI 3 graphs

Horizon
Horizon
Depth
pH
(water)
pH
CaCl2
EC
dS/m
NaCl
%
Exchangeable Cations
Ex Al
mg/kg
Ex Ac
meq/100g
Field
pF2.5
Wilting
Point
pF4.2
Coarse
Sand
(0.02-0.2mm)
Fine Sand
(0.02-0.2mm)
Silt
(0.02-0.02mm)
Clay
(<0.002mm)
Ca
Mg
K
Na
meq/100g
A1
0-15
5.6
4.3
0.07
4.8
2.4
0.14
0.27
12
35.1
13.1
4.3
39.6
25.5
25.0
A2
15-30
6.3
5.0
0.06
3.8
2.6
0.11
0.37
<10
27.8
10.5
14.2
37.0
19.5
15.5
A22
30-40
6.6
5.4
0.07
4.9
3.9
0.13
0.52
27.4
13.0
20.2
28.2
14.5
33.5
B21
40-65
6.8
5.7
0.12
5.5
6.5
0.22
1.0
9.3
41.9
24.5
7.6
16.3
10.0
65.5
B22
65-120
6.5
5.8
0.14
5.2
7.2
0.20
1.3
9.9
46.6
27.0
7.4
15.6
9.0
66.5
B23
120+
6.5
6.2
0.17
3.9
6.9
0.14
1.5
Page top