Morphological and Physical Properties of Selected Fragipan Soils in Massachusetts
1993
Lindbo, D. L. | Veneman, P. L. M.
Fragipans are no longer officially recognized in New England. Presently all dense layers found in the region are considered unaltered dense basal tills. Comparisons between morphological and physical properties of five pedons in Massachusetts previously classified as having fragipans and typical fragipan properties were undertaken to ascertain the possible existence of fragipans. Morphologically, the pans contained the typical fragipan features outlined in the soil taxonomy including bleached prism faces (BPF), lack of rooting in the pan, and the presence of an eluvial horizon just above the pan. Physically, the pans have a high bulk density and sometimes enough increase in clay content to meet the taxonomic criteria for an argillic horizon. Additionally, the pans show redoximorphic features and indications of lateral water movement across their upper surface. The argument that the pans that developed in dense basal till in Massachusetts are largely geogenic in origin does not appear valid.
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