Brim Series

Soils included in this series have distinct texture contrasts between hard setting surface soil horizons and moderately to strongly pedal clayey subsoils. Sporadically bleached A2 ‘subsurface’ soil horizons are present. The uppermost subsoil layer, that is at least 15 cm thick, is whole colored and yellow to yellow-grey. The soil reaction trend is alkaline.

In the present survey, this series consists of three soil types and one phase. They are as follows:

Brim Sandy Loam (BR sl)

Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil - A1 horizon

• About 15 cm thick.
• Dark brown to grey brown.
• Sandy loam to loamy sand.

Surface Soil - A2 horizon

• 2-5 cm thick.
• Brown to light grey brown or pale grey, sporadically bleached.
• Sandy loam to loamy sand.
• This horizon often occurs only as nests of sporadic bleaching at the interface between the A and B horizons.

Subsoil

• Dark greyish brown to grey-brown or yellowish grey, gradually becoming paler and/or yellower with depth. Slight degree of colour mottling may occur, particularly at depth.
• Heavy clay, often slightly sandy in the upper portion of the B horizon.

Soil Inclusions:

• Trace to light amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate occur at various depths in the clayey subsoils.

Analytical data for selected depths down the profile:

Depth	pH	Total Soluble Salts	Sodium Chloride	Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar	Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar
.	.	%	%	%	%
A	7.7	0.020	*	2.2	4.7
B	8.8	0.073	0.016	27.1	40.3
C	9.8	0.149	0.020	28.6	41.1

* Sodium Chloride contents were not measured and are expected to be very low (based on TSS <0.05%).

Occurrence:

Brim Sandy Loam occurs mainly in slight depressions and drainage lines found on the gently undulating plains.


Brim Sandy Clay Loam (BR scl)

Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil - A1 horizon

• 10-15 cm thick.
• Very dark grey to dark reddish brown.
• Sandy clay loam.

Surface Soil - A2 horizon

• 2-5 cm thick.
• Light yellowish brown to light grey brown, sporadically bleached.
• Sandy clay loam.
• This horizon often occurs only as nests of sporadic bleaching at the interface between the A and B horizons.

Subsoil

• Dark grey to dark brown, gradually becoming paler and slightly redder with depth. Slight degree of colour mottling may occur in the deep subsoil.
• Medium to heavy clay, often slightly sandy in the upper portion of the B horizon.

Soil Inclusions:

• Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate usually occur throughout the subsoils.

Analytical data for selected depths down the profile:

Depth	pH	Total Soluble Salts	Sodium Chloride	Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar	Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar
.	.	%	%	%	%
A	7.7	0.030	*	8.9	17.3
B	9.2	0.092	0.015	22.5	39.1
C	9.3	0.340	0.147	25.1	48.5

* Sodium Chloride contents were not measured and are expected to be very low (based on TSS <0.05%).

Occurrence:

Brim Sandy Clay Loam usually occurs on flat areas and extensive shallow depressions in the gently undulating plains.


Brim Fine Sandy Clay Loam (BR fscl)

Profile Morphology:

.

Surface Soil - A1 horizon About 10 cm thick (range 7-12 cm). Dark brown to dark reddish brown, often stained with some rusty colors along fine root channels. Fine sandy clay loam to clay loam. Surface Soil - A2 horizon 5-7 cm thick. Brown to greyish brown, sporadically bleached. Sandy clay loam to clay loam. This horizon often occurs only as nests of sporadic bleaching at the interface between the A and B horizons. Subsoil Yellowish brown to reddish brown (occasionally dark brown), gradually becoming yellower with depth. Slight degree of colour mottling may occur in the deep subsoils. Medium to heavy clay. Soil Inclusions: Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard calcium carbonate occur at various depths in the subsoils. Trace to slight amounts of ferruginous concretions may occur in the deep subsoils (ie. below about 90 cm).

Analytical data for selected depths down the profile:

Depth	pH	Total Soluble Salts	Sodium Chloride	Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar	Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar
.	.	%	%	%	%
A	7.1	0.024	0.008	9.6	21.8
B	8.4	0.086	0.033	17.0	32.7
C	9.1	0.219	0.100	18.8	31.2

Occurrence:

Brim Fine Sandy Clay Loam is usually found on flat areas, foot slopes and extensive shallow depressions in the gently undulating plains.

Phases:

Deep surface: The depth to the clayey subsoil is about 30 cm (range 16-40 cm). Occurs mainly on the lower slopes and slight depressions in the gently undulating plains.