Yelarbon Soil summary sheets
Locality and site notes The barren nature of the scalded landscape at Yelarbon has led to it be known as the ‘desert’. The degraded landscape corresponds to part of an alluvial plain located just to the north of the junction of Macintyre Brook and the Dumaresq River and is notable for its extremely alkaline (pH >10) and hypersodic (ESP >90%) soils. However, salinity is generally not excessively high in the ‘desert’ area. The accumulation of sodium has been attributed to the upward leakage of Great Artesian Basin groundwater. The presence of toxic sodium carbonate, usually associated with extreme alkalinity, is probably contributing to the scalded landscape. There are four detailed sites in the Yelarbon area. The first site is on a sandstone slope above the alluvial plain (Site 3A). The second and third sites are on the alluvial plain (Site 3B and 3C), but outside the area normally considered to be ‘desert’. The fourth site (Site 3D) is in the ‘desert’ area.
Locality and site location map
.! 3A Moonie River stern Ck .! We 3B QLD .! .! k 3C-1 .! 3C-2 3C-3
Toobeah Inglewood We " Commoron C " ir River Goondiwindi .!.! " .!.!.! ".! River Yelarbon .! Macintyre Dumaresq River 3D Whalan Ck Texas " Yelarbon Roma Miles " " " NSW
Croppa C CUNNINGHAM HIGH " St George WAY " 0 20 40 80 0 1 24 k Goondiwindi Kilometres Kilometres Upper Weir Catchment
Site Details Site Soil type Vegetation Land use Surface Profile Regolith Property Site fertility analysis profile ID* 3A Grey Vertosol Brigalow Cropping Belmore West 48 3B Grey Sodosol Box/cypress pine Grazing Belmore West 49 3C-1 Grey Dermosol Belah/yellow box Grazing Belmore West 24 3C-2 Black Dermosol Brigalow/belah Grazing Belmore West 22 3C-3 Grey Dermosol Belah Grazing Belmore West 23 3D Grey Sodosol Teatree Grazing Cranbourne 42 * internal NRW site identification for the QMDSC project
LOCALITY 3 - in the Compendium of Site Information from: Harms BP, Hughes KE and Payne JE (2008) Soil reference sites for improved land management — report for the Queensland Murray Darling Committee. Department of Natural Resources and Water, Brisbane. Yelarbon Site 3A
Site 3A is a rise above the alluvial plain, and is therefore outside the country known as the ‘desert’. This site characterises brigalow soils on sandstone rises. It consists of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility and profile chemistry. • regolith description, pH, EC and chloride analysis to 4.55 m.
Landscape description Soil and landscape correlation Landform Very gently undulating rise, above Name Source alluvial plain Land resource area Brigalow rises (5a/5b) MWD Geology Labile sedimentary rock Commoron – eastern (Cretaceous sandstone) brigalow landscapes; WLM* lowlands Vegetation Open forest of brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) - cleared Soil mapping unit 4 - Grey clay ITTG association Slope 1% Runoff Slow Soil Calingunee WLM Ulimaroa MWD Drainage Imperfectly drained * this site is slightly outside WLM land resource area map Microrelief None evident
General soil qualities Infiltration Moderate when dry (self-mulching surface). Permeability Moderate to slow (in the deep subsoil). Nutrient availability Surface fertility is moderate. Organic carbon is at a marginal level (1%), and phosphorous is low for cropping. CEC is moderate with calcium the dominant cation. pH Strong to very strongly alkaline (0-90 cm), then strongly acid. Salinity Salinity as indicated by the chloride levels is high below 1 m. The high EC level at 80 cm is most likely due to the presence of gypsum. Sodicity Hypersodic (ESP > 25%) below about 80 cm. Physical root limitations Restricted aeration and drainage in the sodic subsoil. Toxicities Chloride levels reach a high level at about 80 cm. Aluminium in the deep subsoil was measured at levels well below the toxic threshold. Available water store Estimated to be moderate for cropping and high for pastures (effective rooting depth of 90 cm, based on the salinity profile, and soil observations). `
Looking south from the cropping at Site 3A, with the alluvial plain in the distance.
2 - clear clear clear abrupt gradual Boundary Yelarbon - - - - 2-10% (6-20mm) (6-20mm) Segregations manganiferous manganiferous 2-10% calcareous calcareous 2-10% soft segregations segregations soft soft segregations segregations soft ------Coarse Fragments - Size 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 20-50mm - Type Structure lenticular lenticular polyhedral polyhedral subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular weak strong Grade moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate moderate Self-mulching, Grey Vertosol brown and red clays Grey, Ug5.24 medium medium medium medium Texture heavy clay heavy clay heavy clay heavy clay medium clay medium clay ------Mottles 283313 mE 6844083 m N Zone 56 283313 QMDSC 48, Obs 1 soil clay cracking grey Deep, flake surface Self-mulching, none Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Colour (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (10YR62) (10YR42) (10YR52) greyish brown brown greyish light brownish grey grey brownish light grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light dark greyish brown brown dark greyish Depth 0.90-1.00 1.00-1.60 0.40-0.90 0.08-0.20 0.20-0.40 0.00-0.08 B1 A1p B21 B24 B22 B23c Horizon Location ID Brief soil description Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Classification General information - Site 3A - Site information General Location coordinates Soil morphology B22 B23c B24 Site 3A A1p B1 B21
3 Yelarbon Site 3A
Surface soil fertility (bulked sample 0-0.1 m) (Site 3A)
pH EC Cl NO -N Org.C Total N Avail. P SO - S DTPA extractable trace 3 C/N ratio Extr. K 4 1:5 soil/water solution (bicarb) elements (mg/kg)
(dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (%) (%) (mg/kg) (meq/100g) (mg/kg) Cu Zn Mn Fe
8.5 0.21 30 59 1.02 0.12 9 15 1.8 9 1.3 1.3 25.5 5.9
Soil profile analysis (Site 3A)
pH EC Cl NO3 Exchangeable cations * ESP Moist Disp Depth Particle size % m.eq/100g WP ratio 1:5 soil/water solution (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) CS FS SIL CLA Ca Mg Na K CEC (%) (%) R1 0.00-0.10 8.8 0.20 32 35 11 41 13 40 19.80 2.91 1.14 1.28 24 5 13.8 0.64 0.20-0.30 9.3 0.25 37 15 10 33 16 45 18.40 7.87 3.65 0.80 28 13 16.5 0.83 0.50-0.60 9.6 0.56 169 27 10 33 16 45 12.30 8.82 6.70 0.68 28 24 16.5 0.98 0.80-0.90 8.9 1.17 524 31 11 34 13 46 11.90 9.74 8.52 0.70 27 32 16.4 0.98 1.10-1.20 5.4 1.04 872 29 11 35 15 44 8.93 8.14 7.98 0.52 26 31 16.2 0.98 1.40-1.50 5.0 1.02 1070 25 13 37 13 42 7.22 7.23 7.00 0.40 24 29 19.5 0.97 * 0.00-1.10m - extracted using alcoholic ammonium chloride at pH 8.5 1.10-1.50m - extracted using aqueous ammonium chloride at pH 7.0.
Soil pH Soil Sodicity pH ESP (%) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 0 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 Depth (m)
1 Depth (m) 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
Soil Electrical Conductivity Soil Chloride EC (dS/m) Chloride (mg/kg)
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 0 0
0.2 0.2
0.4 0.4
0.6 0.6
0.8 0.8 Depth (m) 1 Depth (m) 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
4 Yelarbon Site 3A Regolith profile summary (Site 3A) Regolith pH This regolith profile consists entirely of clay horizons to the sampled pH (1:5 soil w ater) depth of approx. 4.5 m. The clay material is relatively homogenous 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 in terms of colour and texture, and has negligible mottling. Drilling 0 past 4.5 m was prevented by a hard impenetrable layer. At the
base of the deepest sampled retrieved, there was a thin layer 0.5 of carbonate, however there was not enough of this material to
designate it as a calcareous pan. 1 The regolith profile is very strongly acid between 1 m and 4 m. The pH values are very consistent, ranging from 4.5-4.9. Below 1. 5 4 m there is an increase in pH which is related to the carbonate observed. It is probable that alkaline groundwater has accumulated 2 at the bottom of the ‘soft’ regolith, just above the hard layer, which is presumably impermeable. 2.5 Depth (m) Salinity (as indicated by EC and chloride) gradually increases with depth, reaching an extremely high level below about 2 m. The 3 Cl level of 3710 mg/kg recorded at 4.1 m is the highest level of Chloride recorded for any sample during this project. 3.5
4
Horizons 4.5 0.0m— A1 Regolith EC grey structured clay B1 EC (dS/m) 0 0.5 1 1. 5 2 2.5 grey structured B21 0 clay with faint mottles
0.5 grey structured clay 1.6 m 1.8 m B22k with abundant carbonate segregations 1.0m— 1
1. 5
grey structured clay B23 with faint mottles 2 2.0 m 2.2 m 2.5 Depth (m)
3 2.0m— B24 3.5
2.6 m 2.8 m 4 B25 4.5
Regolith chloride 3.0m— grey structured clay Cl (mg/kg)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 3.4 m 3.6 m 0
B26 0.5
1
4.0m— 1. 5
grey structured clay 2 B28 B27c with pale mottle and manganese segregations 4.55m— 2.5 Depth (m)
3
3.5
4
4.25 m 4.55 m 4.5 5 Yelarbon Site 3B
Site 3B is a small localised scalded area, surrounded by land in much better condition. It is not part of the area generally recognised as the ‘desert’. This site consist of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility, profile chemistry. • regolith description, pH, EC and chloride analysis to 3.75 m.
Landscape description Soil and landscape correlation Landform Level plain, slightly elevated from Name Source current alluvial plain Land resource area Desert WLM* Geology Old alluvial sediments Soil mapping unit 15 - Solonetz/ Vegetation Scattered yellow box Solodized-Solonetz ITTG (Eucalyptus melliodora) and cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) Soil Yelarbon WLM* Slope 1% * this site is slightly outside WLM land resource area map Runoff Slow Drainage Poorly drained
General soil qualities Infiltration Slow. Permeability Moderate to low. Nutrient availability Surface fertility is low with deficiencies in the majority of nutrients. Sulfur is sufficient and phosphorous is marginal for pastures. A healthy balance of cations throughout the profile is lacking, with sodium dominant at the expense of the others (especially below 60 cm), and therefore deficiencies in calcium, magnesium and potassium are to be expected. Nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and copper are likely to be deficient, due to the extreme alkalinity. pH Slightly acid at the surface, extremely alkaline below about 10 cm. Salinity Salinity is at medium levels only, except for the deepest part of the profile where EC reaches 1.1 dS/m. Sodicity Hypersodic (ESP > 25%) throughout, except for the surface A horizon (0-15 cm). Physical root limitations Restricted aeration and drainage (hypersodic subsoil). Toxicities Boron and sodium carbonate toxicities are probable in the extremely alkaline soil. Available water store Very low. `
6 - clear clear clear abrupt abrupt gradual Boundary Yelarbon - - - (2-6mm) Segregations <2% calcareous calcareous <2% >50% calcareous calcareous >50% 2-10% calcareous calcareous 2-10% calcareous 2-10% nodules (2-6mm) nodules (2-6mm) soft segregations segregations soft nodules (6-20mm) ------Coarse Fragments - Size 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 20-50mm 20-50mm - Type Structure polyhedral subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular weak strong strong Grade massive moderate moderate Hypernatric, Grey Sodosol Solodized Solonetz Dy2.13 clay loam sandy Texture clay loam loam clay sandy clay sandy clay sandy loam medium clay medium clay medium clay light medium light ------Mottles - 284164 mE 684325 mN Zone 56 284164 QMDSC Obs 49 1 B horizon a clay with coarse sandy overlying soil loam contrast Texture a buried layer. overlying soil thin, relatively is that setting Hard rounded pebbles Common small Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Colour (2.5Y62) (10YR62) (10YR63) (10YR63) (10YR42) (10YR52) pale brown brown pale pale brown brown pale greyish brown brown greyish light brownish grey grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light dark greyish brown brown dark greyish Depth 1.10-1.35 0.90-1.10 1.35-1.55 0.05-0.15 0.15-0.40 0.40-0.90 0.00-0.05 A11 A12 B21 2A1 2B21 3B2k 2B22 Location ID Brief soil description Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Classification General information Site - 3B Site information General Location coordinates Horizon Soil morphology 2B21 3B2k Site 3B A11 A12 B21 2A1 2B22
7 Yelarbon Site 3B
Surface soil fertility (bulked sample 0-0.1 m) - Site 3B
pH EC Cl NO -N Org.C Total N Avail. P SO - S DTPA extractable trace 3 C/N ratio Extr. K 4 1:5 soil/water solution (bicarb) elements (mg/kg)
(dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (%) (%) (mg/kg) (meq/100g) (mg/kg) Cu Zn Mn Fe
6.3 0.16 86 12 0.68 0.03 23 10 0.2 12 0.1 0.4 15.0 33.6
Soil profile analysis (Site 3B)
pH EC Cl NO3 Exchangeable cations * ESP Moist Disp Depth Particle size % m.eq/100g WP ratio 1:5 soil/water solution (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) CS FS SIL CLA Ca Mg Na K CEC (%) (%) R1 0.00-0.05 6.3 0.05 25 1 43 38 13 11 3.04 0.68 0.44 0.39 8 6 6.2 0.64 0.05-0.15 7.6 0.08 29 <1 34 36 15 19 8.02 0.97 1.76 0.13 13 14 8.6 0.92 0.20-0.30 9.5 0.42 201 1 24 32 16 32 9.91 0.89 5.43 0.33 16 34 13.6 0.89 0.50-0.60 10.0 0.65 507 1 35 35 15 19 3.29 0.68 7.14 0.13 12 62 10.4 0.98 0.80-0.90 10.1 0.76 599 2 30 34 16 24 1.16 0.57 12.70 0.15 13 98 15.8 0.86 1.10-1.20 10.1 0.51 500 2 32 35 13 24 0.28 0.34 14.20 0.28 15 97 17.9 0.91 1.40-1.50 10.4 1.11 527 3 36 28 12 28 1.08 0.49 19.70 0.60 18 100 21.9 0.95 * extracted using alcoholic ammonium chloride at pH 8.5 Soil pH pH Soil pH Soil Sodicity 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 pH ESP (%) 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 0 20 40 60 80 100 0.2 0 0 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.4
Depth (m) 1 0.6 0.6 1.2 0.8 0.8 1.4 Depth (m) Depth (m) 1.6 1 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
Soil Electrical Conductivity Soil Chloride EC (dS/m) Chloride (mg/kg)
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 0 0
0.2 0.2
0.4 0.4
0.6 0.6
0.8 0.8 Depth (m) Depth (m) 1 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
8 Yelarbon Site 3B
Regolith profile summary (Site 3B) Regolith pH pH (1:5 soil w ater) The regolith profile consists of layers of generally medium textured alluvium. Clay content generally < 30%. Abundant calcareous segre- 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 0 gations below 1 m. The hard layer at 3.75m may correspond to the underlying sandstone basement material. 0.5 Extremely alkaline (pH >10 below 1 m). Salinity reaches a peak
at about 1.5 m, but is not particularly high compared to many 1 other sites in this study. Concentration of salinity (EC and Cl) can be roughly correlated to the texture of the alluvial strata, with 1. 5 heavier textured zones containing more salt. Below 1.5 m, EC levels are relatively high compared to chloride levels, which indicates a 2 contribution to salinity from salts other than chloride. These are almost certainly carbonate salts. Depth (m) 2.5
3
3.5 Horizons 0.0m— brown clay loam A1-1 A12 4 A31 brown clay A32j grey light clay Regolith EC EC (dS/m)
B21 0 0.5 1 1. 5 2 2.5 brown medium clay 0
1.0m— B22 1.75 m 1.95 m 0.5
B23 sandy grey clay 1
B24k sandy grey clay, carbonate 1. 5 B25k grey clay, abundant carbonate 2.05 m 2.25 m 2 B26 grey clay, carbonate 2.0m—
B3 Depth (m) C1 carbonate pan 2D grey clay, carbonate 2.5 3D grey clay 3 4D yellow sandy loam 2.35 m 2.55 m 5D1 yellow clay, carbonate, 5D2 ironstone 3.5 grey clay, orange mottles, 6D manganese segregations. 3.0m— 4
grey clay, orange mottles, 3.0 m 3.2 m 7D manganese segregations Regolith chloride Cl (mg/kg) yellow sandy loam with 0 1000 2000 3000 8D 9D iron-manganese nodules 0 3.75m— red sandy loam, hard
3.55 m 3.75 m 0.5
1
1. 5
2 Depth (m) 2.5
3
3.5
4 9 Yelarbon Site 3C
Site 3C is located on the alluvial plain outside the area considered to be desert. The soils here have a higher clay content compared to other sites on the alluvial plain. This site contains three sub-sites relatively close to each other: Site3C-1. This is a clay soil with belah and box vegetaion. It consists of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility, profile chemistry, bulk density. • regolith description, pH and chloride analysis to 6.1 m. Site 3C-2. This is a heavier soil with brigalow and melonhole gilgai. It consist of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility. • pH, EC and chloride analysis to 1.5 m. • limited further profile analysis (non NRW laboratory). Site 3C-3. This is also a heavier soil with belah vegeitation and shallow melonhole gilgai. It consist of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility. • pH, EC and chloride analysis to 1.5 m. • limited profile analysis (non NRW laboratory).
Landscape description Site 3C-1 Soil and landscape correlation Landform Level plain, slightly elevated from Name Source current alluvial plain. Land resource area Billa Billa (level plains WLM* Geology Old alluvial sediments. subdivision) Vegetation Woodland of belah (Casuarina cristata) Soil mapping unit 6 - weakly solonised with scattered yellow box (Eucalyptus brown clay loam ITTG** melliodora). association** Slope 0% Soil*** Kurumbul WLM Runoff Very slow * Site 24 is just outside the WLM land resource area map ** Site 24 is mapped as Solodized Solonetz (map unit 15) (ITTG) Drainage Imperfectly drained (and hence map unit 14 in Inglewood Shire Handbook) but has Microrelief none closer affinities with ITTG map unit 6. *** Soil is correlated on morphology and general landscape position, not chemical properties (which are uniquely ‘Yelarbon’). General soil qualities Site 3C-1 Infiltration Slow. Permeability Moderate. Nutrient availability Surface fertility is low (deficiencies in most nutrients). The balance of cations throughout the profile is undesirable, with sodium and magnesium dominant. otassiumP is potentially deficient at <3 meq/100g below 5 cm. Nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and copper are likely to be deficient throughout, due to the extreme alkalinity. pH Neutral at the surface, extremely alkaline below about 10 cm. Salinity Medium salinity below about 40 cm. Sodicity Hypersodic (ESP > 25%) below about 20 cm. Bulk density Measured bulk density of >1.6 g/cm3 below 30 cm and >1.8 1.5 g/cm3 below 90 cm indicates a very compact subsoil with low porosity. Physical root limitations Restricted aeration and drainage (hypersodic subsoil). Toxicities Chloride levels reach a high level at about 60 cm. Boron and sodium carbonate toxicities are probable in the very strongly alkaline soil. Hostile conditions for plant growth below about 50 cm. Available water store Estimated to be low for cropping and moderate for pastures (effective rooting depth of 60 cm, based on the chloride profile). `
10 - clear clear clear abrupt gradual Boundary Yelarbon - - - 10-20% 10-20% (2-6mm) (2-6mm) Segregations manganiferous manganiferous >50% calcareous calcareous >50% soft segregations segregations soft soft segregations segregations soft nodules (6-20mm) 10-20% calcareous calcareous 10-20% ------Coarse Fragments - - - Size 10-20mm 10-20mm 20-50mm - - - Type Structure polyhedral subangular blocky subangular subangular blocky subangular - weak strong Grade massive moderate moderate Supracalcic, Grey Dermosol No suitable group Gn3.93 clay clay Texture light clay light clay loam loam clay clay loam loam clay light clay- light fine sandy fine sandy fine sandy light medium light light medium light - - - orange distinct distinct Mottles <2% <5mm <5mm <2% <2% <5mm <5mm <2% 2-10% <5mm <5mm 2-10% faint orange faint faint orange faint - 282661 mE 6841992 mN Zone 56 mE 6841992 282661 QMDSC Obs. 1 24 of layer surface thick with a moderately soil clay grey Deep, loam clay grey setting Hard None Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Colour (2.5Y42) (2.5Y63) (2.5Y63) (10YR42) (10YR32) Site 3C-1 Site light brownish grey grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light dark greyish brown brown dark greyish dark greyish brown brown dark greyish very brown dark greyish Depth 0.90-1.40 1.40-1.50 0.35-0.90 0.05-0.20 0.20-0.35 0.00-0.05 B1 Dk A1j A12 B21k B22c Horizon Location ID Brief Soil description and classification Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Classification General information - information General Location Coordinates Soil morphology Site 3C A1j A12 B1 B21k B22c Dk
11 Yelarbon Site 3C
Surface soil fertility (bulked sample 0-0.1 m) - Site 3C-1 pH EC Cl NO -N Org.C Total N Avail. P SO - S DTPA extractable trace 3 Extr. K 4 1:5 soil/water solution (bicarb) elements (mg/kg)
(dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (%) (%) (mg/kg) (meq/100g) (mg/kg) Cu Zn Mn Fe
7.3 0.07 21 6 1.14 0.09 8 0.2 4 0.9 0.4 56.0 33.1
Soil profile analysis - Site 3C-1
pH EC Cl NO3 Exchangeable cations * ESP Moist Disp Depth Particle size % m.eq/100g WP ratio 1:5 soil/water solution (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) CS FS SIL CLA Ca Mg Na K CEC (%) (%) R1 0.00-0.05 6.9 0.06 28 1 27 40 17 18 2.69 1.69 0.80 0.53 10 8 5.4 0.61 0.05-0.15 7.9 0.10 43 1 27 34 16 25 5.56 2.54 2.61 0.22 14 19 8.5 0.71 0.20-0.30 9.2 0.38 312 1 25 34 16 27 7.04 3.73 4.93 0.25 18 27 11.4 0.80 0.50-0.60 9.4 0.72 804 1 20 33 16 34 4.99 5.63 8.32 0.16 22 38 14.3 0.79 0.80-0.90 9.8 0.81 770 2 23 35 18 24 3.39 3.93 7.36 0.11 17 43 13.0 1.00 1.10-1.20 9.2 0.69 832 2 17 38 23 26 2.57 5.46 10.60 0.15 18 59 14.8 0.99 Soil Bulk Density 1.40-1.50 10.0 0.73 768 2 25 39 18 24 2.12 4.45 8.21 0.17 16 51 11.1 0.98 * extraction using alcoholic ammonium chloride at pH 8.5 BD (g/cm3) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Soil Bulk Density Soil Sodicity 0 (g/cm 3) ESP (%) Bulk density (Site 3C-1) 0.2 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 0 25 50 75 100 Depth Bulk density 0.4 0 0 (m) (g/cm3) 0.6 0.00-0.10 1.38 0.2 0.2
0.8 0.10-0.20 1.56 0.4 0.4 0.20-0.30 1.64 Depth (m) 0.6 1 0.30-0.50 1.62 0.6 1.2 0.50-0.70 1.72 0.8 0.8
0.70-0.90 1.65 Depth (m) 1.4 Depth (m) 1 1 0.90-1.10 1.81 1.6 1.10-1.30 1.82 1.2 1.2 1.30-1.50 1.82 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.6
Soil pH Electrical Conductivity Soil Chloride Electrical Conductivity pH EC (dS/m) Chloride (mg/kg) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 EC (dS/m) 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 0 0 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 0 0.2 0.2 0 0.2
0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 Depth (m) Depth (m)
0.8 Depth (m) 1 1 1 Depth (m) 1 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
12 - clear clear abrupt Yelarbon gradual gradual Boundary - - - Segregations <2% Calcareous Calcareous <2% Nodules 2-6mm Nodules 2-6mm 2-10% Calcareous Calcareous 2-10% Soft segregations Soft segregations Soft segregations 10-20% Calcareous 10-20% 20-50% Calcareous 20-50% Calcareous Black Dermosol Chernozem Uf6.33 ------Frags. Coarse Size 5-10mm 5-10mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 20-50mm 20-50mm Soil classification Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Type Prismatic Polyhedral Structure Angular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Strong Strong Grade Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Clay Medium Medium Texture Light Clay Light Heavy Clay Heavy Clay Medium Clay Medium Clay Light Medium Light - - - - orange orange Mottles 2-10% faint faint 2-10% 2-10% faint faint 2-10% 284292 mE 6841973 mN Zone 56 284292 mE 6841973 QMDSC 22 Obs. 1 soil clay non-cracking Deep, Firm None Melonhole gilgai Colour (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (10YR22) (10YR22) Brown (10YR32) Very Dark Brown Very Dark Brown Very Dark Greyish Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Depth 0.90-1.20 1.20-1.50 0.10-0.20 0.00-0.10 0.50-0.90 0.20-0.50 A1 A12 B21 B24 B22k B23k General Information - Site 3C-2 - Site Information General Location coordinates Location ID Brief soil description Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Microrelief Horizon Soil morphology A1 B21 B24 Site 3C B23k B22k
13 - Clear Gradual Gradual Gradual Boundary Yelarbon - - - - - nodules Segregations Soft segregations <2mm Calcareous Calcareous <2mm 20-50% Calcareous Grey Dermosol Chernozem Uf6.33 ------Frags. Coarse - Size 2-5mm 5-10mm 10-20mm 10-20mm 20-50mm - Soil classification Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Type Structure Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Subangular blocky Weak Weak Strong Grade Moderate Moderate Moderate Medium medium medium Texture Clay loam Clay Light Clay Light heavy clay heavy clay heavy clay Fine sandyFine sandyFine Medium Clay ------Mottles 283567 mE 6841584 mN Zone 56 mE 6841584 283567 QMDSC 23 Obs. 1 soil clay non-cracking Deep, Firm None Slight melonhole gilgai Colour (2.5Y63) (2.5Y63) (2.5Y63) (10YR42) (10YR42) Dark Greyish Brown Dark Greyish Brown Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Light Brownish Grey Grey Brownish Light Greyish Brown (10YR52) Depth 1.20-1.45 0.75-1.20 0.05-0.10 0.10-0.30 0.30-0.75 0.00-0.05 B1 A11 A12 B23 B22 B21k General Information - Site 3C-3 - Site Information General Location coordinates Location ID Brief soil description Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Microrelief Horizon Soil morphology B23 A21 B21k A11 B22 B1 Site 3C
14 Yelarbon Site 3C
Surface soil fertility (bulked sample 0-0.1 m) - Comparison of Sites 3C-1,2 & 3 pH EC Cl NO -N Org.C Avail. P SO - S Exchangeable cations* DTPA extractable trace 3 4 Site 1:5 soil/water solution (bicarb) (m.eq/100g) elements (mg/kg)
(dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (%) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) Ca Mg Na K CEC Cu Zn Mn Fe
3C-1 7.3 0.07 21 6 1.14 8 4 2.69 1.69 0.8 0.53 10 0.9 0.4 56.0 33.1 3C-2 8 0.15 <20 23 1.73 9 6 17.7 3.67 0.41 1.11 24 0.7 0.4 35.8 6.1 3C-3 6.5 0.09 24 17 1.34 12 11 6.61 1.8 0.38 0.32 13 0.7 0.5 120 28.2 * extraction using alcoholic ammonium chloride at pH 8.5. For Site 3C-1, results for exch. cations are not from the bulked sample.
All three sites are deficient in zinc and phosphorus. Site 3C-1 & 2 are also deficient in sulfate-sulfur. Site 3C-3 is deficient in potassium. Site 3C-2 has high calcium.
Soil profile analysis (Sites 3C-1, 2 & 3) - 1:5 soil/water solution
Site 3C-1 Site 3C-2 Site 3C-3
Depth pH EC Cl NO3 Depth pH EC Cl NO3 Depth pH EC Cl NO3 (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) 0.00-0.05 6.9 0.06 28 1 0.00-0.10 7.5 0.17 18 7 0.00-0.05 6.6 0.11 18 1 0.05-0.15 7.9 0.10 43 1 0.20-0.30 7.5 0.10 32 2 0.05-0.10 6.7 0.10 18 <1 0.20-0.30 9.2 0.38 312 1 0.50-0.60 8.9 0.20 18 <1 0.20-0.30 7.9 0.17 27 1 0.50-0.60 9.4 0.72 804 1 0.80-0.90 9.3 0.23 18 1 0.50-0.60 9.5 0.64 373 <1 0.80-0.90 9.8 0.81 770 2 1.10-1.20 9.3 0.32 52 <1 0.80-0.90 9.1 0.78 599 1 1.10-1.20 9.2 0.69 832 2 1.40-1.50 9.4 0.37 97 <1 1.10-1.20 6.4 0.74 654 2 1.40-1.50 10.0 0.73 768 2 1.40-1.50 5.6 0.67 655 3
Soil pH Electrical Conductivity Soil Chloride pH EC (dS/m) Cl (mg/kg) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 0 500 1000 1500 0 0 0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6
0.8 0.8 0.8 Depth (m) Depth (m) 1 Depth (m) 1 1
1.2 1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6 1.6
3C-1 3C-2 3C-3
These data show that soil profile properties vary considerably over relatively short distances on the alluvial plain. Site 3C-2 differs from the others in that it has low salinity. Site 3C-3 differs from the others in that it is acid at depth.
15 Yelarbon Site 3C
Regolith profile summary (Site 3C-1) Regolith pH pH (1:5 soil w ater)
The regolith profile consists of clayey sediments with zones of concentrated 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 carbonate to 2.7 m. Thin carbonate pan at 2.7 m, below which are layers 0 of lighter textured alluvium (sandy loam to coarse sand).
Very strongly alkaline (pH>9.0) almost throughout. Salinity (as indicated by 1 EC and chloride) increases gradually to high levels in the B horizons, with low to moderate levels in the sandier C horizons below. 2 In contrast to Site 3B, the EC and chloride profiles are closely matched, indicating that chloride salts account for almost all of the salt load below
1.0 m. 3 Depth (m) 4 Horizons 0.0m— A11 clay loam A12 grey light clay 5 B1
B21 grey structured clay with 6 carbonate
B22 grey structured clay Regolith EC 1.0m— with yellow mottles EC (dS/m) B23 0 0.5 1 1. 5 2 2.5 grey structured clay, 0 B24k abundant carbonate 1.2 m 1.4 m
1 B25 grey weakly structured clay with carbonate and 2.0m— manganese segregations 2 1.8 m 2.0 m
3 grey and brown clay with B26 manganese segregation Depth (m) 4 Ck carbonate pan 2D1 2.5 m 2.8 m 3.0m— 5 grey sandy loam, with 2D2 manganese and carbonate segregations 6 2D3
3.5 m 3.7 m brown unstructured sandy Regolith chloride 2D4 loam with orange mottles Cl (mg/kg) 4.0m— 0 1000 2000 3000 yellow clayey sand 3D 0
4D sandy loam, manganese 1 4.4 m 4.6 m
5D yellow clayey sand 2 5.0m— 6D clay loam, manganese
3 7D yellow clay loam Depth (m) 4 8D brown sandy loam
9D1 yellow clay loam 5 grey clay loam 5.85 m 6.05 m 6.1m— 9D2
6
16 Yelarbon Site 3D Site 3D is located in the area considered to be ‘desert’. It consists of: • soil description and classification, surface soil fertility, bulk density. • regolith description, pH and chloride analysis to 5.8 m.
Landscape description Landform Level plain, slightly elevated from current alluvial plain Geology Old alluvial sediments. Vegetation Open shrubland of tea tree (Melaleuca densispicata) with scattered belah (Casuarina cristata) Slope 0% Runoff Very slow Drainage Poorly drained Microrelief Normal gilgai - occasional depressions
Soil and landscape correlation Name Source Land resource area Desert WLM Soil mapping unit 15 – Solonetz- Solodized-Solonetz ITTG association Soil Yelarbon WLM
General soil qualities Infiltration Slow. Permeability Moderate to low. Nutrient availability Surface fertility is low with deficiencies in all major nutrients. The balance of cations throughout the profile is undesirable, with sodium dominant at the expense of all others. Potassium is deficient throughout. Calcium is deficient in both total levels and as a proportion of CEC. Nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and copper are likely to be deficient throughout, due to the extreme alkalinity. pH Slightly acid at the surface, extremely alkaline below about 10 cm. Salinity High salinity in the clay B horizon (20-60 cm)*. Medium salinity in the lighter textured material below that. Sodicity Hypersodic (ESP > 25%) throughout, except for the surface (0-5 cm). Physical root limitations Restricted aeration and drainage (hypersodic subsoil). Toxicities Chloride levels are at a high level in the upper part of the profile. Boron and sodium carbonate toxicities are probable in the very strongly alkaline soil. Hostile conditions for plant growth throughout the profile. Available water store Very low. `
17 - clear clear abrupt abrupt gradual Boundary Yelarbon - - - - - Hypernatric, Grey Sodosol Solodised solonetz Dy2.33 Segregations concretions (2mm) concretions <2% manganiferous manganiferous <2% segregations (2mm) segregations <2% ferruginous soft <2% - - mm) Coarse (6-20 mm) (6-20 (6-20 mm) (6-20 mm) (6-20 (6-20 mm) (6-20 Fragments quartz pebbles quartz pebbles quartz pebbles <2% subrounded <2% <2% subrounded <2% <2% subrounded <2% 2-10% subrounded 2-10% 2-10% subrounded 2-10% ferricrete pebbles ferricrete quartz pebbles (6-20 quartz pebbles (6-20 - - - - - Soil classification Soil Classification Australian Great Soil Group Form Principal Profile Size 10-20mm - - - - - Type polyhedral Structure Grade massive massive massive massive massive moderate loam loam loam (sandy) Texture clay loam loam clay fine sandy sandy clay sandy clay sandy light sandy light medium clay medium clay coarse sandy coarse sandy - - - - - Mottles <2% <5mm <5mm <2% faint orange faint 280398 mE 6839334 mN Zone 56 mE 6839334 280398 QMDSC Obs. 1 42 a clay with coarse sandy overlying soil loam contrast Texture layers overlying (20-60 thin cm), relatively B horizon is that alluvium. textured lighter of setting Hard pebbles (6-20mm) ferricrete <2% permeable Slowly brown brown Colour (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (2.5Y62) (10YR62) (10YR53) light brownish grey grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light grey brownish light light brownish grey grey brownish light Depth 1.10-1.60 0.60-1.10 0.05-0.20 0.20-0.50 0.50-0.60 0.00-0.05 A1 A2j B21 B22 2A11 2A12 Horizon Soil morphology General information - Site 3D - Site information General Location coordinates Location ID Brief Soil description Surface condition Surface coarse fragments Permeability Site 3D A1 A2k B21 B22 2A11 2A12
18 Yelarbon Site 3D
Surface soil fertility (bulked sample 0-0.1 m) - Site 3D
pH EC Cl NO -N Org.C Total N Avail. P SO - S DTPA extractable trace 3 C/N ratio Extr. K 4 1:5 soil/water solution (bicarb) elements (mg/kg)
(dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) (%) (%) (mg/kg) (meq/100g) (mg/kg) Cu Zn Mn Fe
6.3 0.09 69 1 0.54 0.03 18 <1 0.1 3 0.1 0.3 7.1 36.1
Soil profile analysis - Site 3D
pH EC Cl NO3 Exchangeable cations * ESP Moist Disp Depth Particle size % m.eq/100g WP ratio 1:5 soil/water solution (m) (dS/m) (mg/kg) (mg/kg) CS FS SIL CLA Ca Mg Na K CEC (%) (%) R1 0.00-0.05 6.2 0.05 32 <1 50 32 10 8 0.65 0.59 0.56 0.26 7 8 2.4 0.56 0.05-0.15 8.1 0.07 37 1 51 30 7 11 0.78 0.59 1.55 0.15 5 28 2.1 0.91 0.20-0.30 9.0 0.96 1240 10 32 25 15 33 1.70 1.94 19.30 0.19 22 88 14.7 0.46 0.50-0.60 9.1 0.81 1050 9 31 27 13 32 1.16 2.29 19.70 0.17 21 94 14.3 0.50 0.80-0.90 9.4 0.43 449 7 50 19 9 18 0.23 1.24 8.62 0.27 11 80 8.1 0.96 1.10-1.20 9.4 0.35 351 6 44 30 14 14 <0.18 0.90 6.02 0.11 8 75 5.9 0.96 1.40-1.50 9.2 0.48 501 11 34 23 17 21 <0.18 1.41 10.00 0.52 12 83 8.4 1.00 * extraction using alcoholic ammonium chloride at pH 8.5
Soil pH Soil Sodicity pH ESP (%) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 0
0.2 0.2
0.4 0.4
0.6 0.6
0.8 0.8
Depth (m) 1 Depth (m) 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
Electrical Conductivity Soil Chloride Chloride (mg/kg) EC (dS/m) 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 0 0 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.8 Depth (m) Depth (m) 1 1
1.2 1.2
1.4 1.4
1.6 1.6
Note: The salinity bulge observed here was not observed in the regolith profile (see page 20), sampled several metres away. Therefore there is considerable variation in salinity across this landscape.
19 Yelarbon Site 3D
Regolith pH Regolith profile summary (Site 3D) pH (1:5 soil w ater)
The texture-contrast soil profile has a depth of 2.7 m, below which are 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 layers of alluvium. Coarse sand is the dominant particle size fraction – 0 zones of heavier textured material are relatively thin and widely spaced. Calcium carbonate was observed only in a few relatively narrow bands. Very strongly alkaline (pH >9.5) almost throughout. pH >10 below 4 m. 1 Salinity levels in this profile are low to moderate. The bulge in salinity observed in the fully analysed profile (located several meteres away) is not present. Concentration of salinity (EC and chloride) can be roughly 2 correlated to the texture of the alluvial strata, with heavier textured zones containing more salt. The majority of the salt found, particularly below 4 m, is not chloride salt 3
– presumably the other salts are soluble carbonates and bicarbonates. Depth (m)
4 Horizons 0.0m— A11 grey sandy loam 5 A12j grey sandy clay loam
grey sandy loam 6 A2j (sporadically bleached) Regolith EC EC dS/m brown sandy loam A3 0 0.5 1 1. 5 1.0m— 0
weakly structured grey B2 clay 1
2 D1 yellow coarse sandy loam, 2.0m— D2 orange mottles, gravel 3 grey clay, orange mottle, 1.6 m 1.8 m
2D Depth (m) abundant gravel yellow sandy loam, 4 3D orange mottles
5 3.0m— 4D1 3.1 m 3.3 m
6 yellow sand, abundant gravel Regolith chloride 4D2 Cl (mg/kg) 0 300 600 900 1200 150 0 1800 4.5 m 4.7 m 0 4.0m— 5D yellow sandy loam, gravel
1 6D grey clay, gravel
yellow sandy loam 7D 2 5.0 m 5.2 m
8D brown clay, gravel 5.0m— 9D sandy loam, gravel 3 13D
11D Depth (m) 15D alternating zones of yellow 13D sandy loam and grey clay 5.5 m 5.75 m 4 14D 19D 15D 5.75m— 5
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