Contemporary Advancements in Soil Characterization: Geochemical, Morphological, and Spectroscopic Approaches

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Contemporary Advancements in Soil Characterization: Geochemical, Morphological, and Spectroscopic Approaches Contemporary Advancements in Soil Characterization: Geochemical, Morphological, and Spectroscopic Approaches by Autumn Acree, M.S. A Dissertation In Plant and Soil Science Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved David Weindorf Chair of Committee Matthew Siebecker Katie Lewis John Galbraith Nic Jelinski Mark Sheridan Dean of the Graduate School May, 2020 Copyright 2020, Autumn Acree Texas Tech University, Autumn Acree, May 2020 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank those who have contributed to my Ph.D. and to achieving this stage in my life. First, I would like to thank the Ed and Linda Whitacre Presidential Graduate Fellowship for providing resources and financial support to be able to attend Texas Tech University and conduct my research. I would like to thank my adviser, committee chair, and friend, Dr. David Weindorf. Dr. Weindorf’s mentorship, drive, and passion is unparalleled. I would also like to thank my committee member, Drs. Lewis, Siebecker, Galbraith, and Jelinski for their support and guidance throughout my research. Drs. Lewis and Siebecker were amazing mentors at Texas Tech. Drs. Galbraith and Jelinski provided support through fieldwork in northern Alaska and external mentorship. I am also thankful for Dr. Erica Irlbeck for agreeing to serve as my graduate dean’s representative. I would also like to extend my dearest gratitude to my fellow graduate students, undergraduate student workers, department head Dr. Ritchie, and all faculty and staff in Plant and Soil Science for their support. I am also very thankful for the collaborators throughout my research. Dr. Laura Paulette was a tremendous collaborator in Romania and is a great friend. I enjoyed working with Dr. Paulette in the Transylvanian Plain, Romania and in northern Alaska. Dr. Titus Man was also an amazing collaborator in Romania with his help in remotely sensed imagery. Drs. Ping and Clark were vital collaborators for my research in Alaska with their extensive knowledge of arctic pedology. I would also like to thank Dr. Natasja van Gestel for her overwhelming support throughout my research. ii Texas Tech University, Autumn Acree, May 2020 Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support throughout my life. I would like to thank Brad for being the best fiancé and support system. I would like to thank my late grandmother Nellie Curington (MeMe) for being my best friend; I love and miss you dearly. iii Texas Tech University, Autumn Acree, May 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................... IIii ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... VIiv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................... VIIIviii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ IXix I. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 History of Soil Classification ............................................................................. 1 Advancements in Soil Characterization ............................................................. 6 References .......................................................................................................... 9 II. COMPARATIVE GEOCHEMISTRY OF URBAN AND RURAL PLAYAS IN THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS ....................................... 12 Abstract ............................................................................................................ 12 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 13 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 16 General Occurrence and Features .............................................................. 16 Field Sampling and Characterization ......................................................... 17 Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................... 20 Results and Discussion .................................................................................... 20 Particle Size Analysis and Mineralogy ...................................................... 20 Soil Organic Matter ................................................................................... 26 Soil pH ....................................................................................................... 27 Soil Electrical Conductivity ....................................................................... 29 Soil Elemental Data ................................................................................... 30 Soil Property Interactions and Statistical Classification ............................ 34 Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 42 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................... 43 References ........................................................................................................ 44 III. CHARACTERIZATION OF GELOLLS IN NORTHERN ALASKA, USA ……………………………………………………………………..… 49 Abstract ............................................................................................................ 49 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 51 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 52 iv Texas Tech University, Autumn Acree, May 2020 General Occurrence and Features .............................................................. 52 Field Characterization and Sampling ......................................................... 57 Laboratory Characterization ...................................................................... 58 Results and Discussion .................................................................................... 59 Cumulic Haplogelolls (Established) .......................................................... 62 Typic Haplogelolls (Established) .............................................................. 64 Fluventic Haplogelolls (Proposed) ............................................................ 67 Pachic Haplogelolls (Proposed) ................................................................. 70 Genetic Model for Gelolls in the Brooks Range and Arctic Foothills ...... 73 C Stock Modeling Implications ................................................................. 74 Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 75 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................... 76 References ........................................................................................................ 77 IV. SOIL CLASSIFICATION IN ROMANIAN CATENAS VIA ADVANCED PROXIMAL SENSORS ....................................................... 80 Abstract ............................................................................................................ 80 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 82 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 85 General Occurrence and Features .............................................................. 85 Field Characterization and Sampling ......................................................... 87 Laboratory Characterization ...................................................................... 90 Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................... 91 Results and Discussion .................................................................................... 93 General Soil Physicochemical Properties .................................................. 93 Proximal Sensor Model Performance ........................................................ 93 Practical Applications .............................................................................. 100 Future Considerations .............................................................................. 104 Conclusions .................................................................................................... 105 Acknowledgments ......................................................................................... 106 References ...................................................................................................... 107 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................ 112 APPENDIX ......................................................................................................... 114 v Texas Tech University, Autumn Acree, May 2020 ABSTRACT In recent decades, Pedology has advanced from a mostly qualitative method to a more quantitative approach of describing and classifying soil. Complimenting traditional morphological description, the integration of proximal and remote sensors allow modern Pedologists to make laboratory quality readings directly in seconds. However, U.S Soil Taxonomy (USST) was last updated
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