Data Sheet: "Soils Information"

Pinelands soils have different physical characteristics, such as permeability, acidity, color, texture, and infertility, which are dependent upon their dominant component, sand. The characteristics of color and texture which are found below will be used to describe some Pinelands soils.

I. TEXTURE: Soils can be classified into three soil texture groups according to the size of the particles

Sand - feels gritty, particles can be seen by the naked eye

Silt - feels smooth and slick when wet; feels like flour when dry; particles are smaller than sand

Clay - feels sticky and smooth when wet; particles are microscopic

 

II. WATER HOLDING ABILITY: Size of soil particles and pore space influence a soil's water holding ability

Soil Texture Group
Water Holding Capacity
 Pore Size Particle Size
Sand poor - water passes through quickly large varies - fine to coarse
Silt best - water moves through more slowly than through sand medium fine
Clay better - water moves more slowly through clay than through silt or sand (note that not all water held by a clay soil can be pulled from small clay particles by plants) small very fine

 

III. COLOR: Differences in soil color are related to the soil's mineral content, the amount of humus it contains, and its drainage capability.

In Pinelands soils, the A horizon is very acidic. As water percolates through this layer, it carries minerals and iron downward to enrich the B horizon. This movement of water and minerals is called leaching. This action leaves the A horizon white or gray and deposits iron, aluminum, and organic material at the top of the B horizon in the form of a brown residue.

The colors of the soils indicate changes which water produces as it percolates through the sandy Pinelands soils.

Color
Reason for Color
dark gray and brown
 Caused by decayed organic matter or poor drainage
light gray
 little decayed organic matter and low mineral content
red or yellow
 iron and minerals combine with oxygen to form rust (they have been oxidized)