site and soil evaluation and soil protection
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Site and Soil Evaluation and Soil Protection
Andy Kleinschmidt
OSU Extension, Van Wert County
419-238-1214 (office)
419-203-5967 (cell)
kleinschmidt.5@osu.edu or andykleinschmidt@gmail.com
Proposed septic field
Okay . . .
. . . Now for a little diversion
Sand Sandyloam
Siltloam
Clayloam
Clay
1
2
3
4
Inch
es w
ater
/ft s
oil
Plant Available Water
Rhoads and Yonts, 1984.
Available Water Holding CapacityAvailable Water Holding Capacity
Storage capacity
Silty clay loam 1.8Clay loam 1.8
Silty clay 1.6Silt loam 2.0
Sandy loam 1.4
Texture (in./ft.)
Comparison of Coarse Textured and Fine Textured Soils
Coarse Textured Soil
Less porespace but more macropores
Fine Textured Soil
More total porespace
Texture and Pore SpaceTexture and Pore Space
Granular
Small Polyhedrons or SpheroidsBounded by Curved or Irregular SurfacesSymbol for Structure (gr)
GRANULAR
BlockySubangular or Angular
Subangular Blocky – the three dimensions are about the same size, but polyhedrons are subrounded. Symbol (sbk)
Angular Blocky – the three dimensions are about the same size, but edges are shape and faces appear flattened. Symbol (abk)
BLOCKY
Bulk Density DeterminationBulk Density Determination
For our example, let’s assume we have 1 cubic centimeter of soil that weighs 1.33 grams
Soil is made of solids andpore spaces
1.33 grams
To calculate Bulk Density:Volume = 1 cm3
Weight = 1.33 grams
Bulk Density = Weight of Soil
Volume of Soil
Bulk Density = 1.33
1
Bulk Density = 1.33 grams/cm3
{ }
Bulk density (g/cm3)
Soil Cropped Uncropped
Hagerstown loam (PA) 1.25
Marshall silt loam (IA) 1.13
Nappanese silt loam (OH) 1.31
(50%)
(56%)
(51%)
(57%)
(63%)
(60%)
1.07
0.93
1.05
What impact does this have on pore space?
Bulk Density (con’t.)
Data from Lyon et al.
Some Common Bulk Densities
• Uncultivated/undisturbed woodlots – 1.0 to 1.2 g/cm3
• Cultivated clay and silt loams– 1.1 to 1.5 g/cm3
• Cultivated sandy loams– 1.3 to 1.7 g/cm3
• Compacted glacial till– 1.9 to 2.2 g/cm3
• Concrete– 2.4 g/cm3
What do you notice about this soil core?What do you notice about this soil core?
macropores
Preferential FlowPreferential Flow
Example of pesticide leaching through preferential flow.
Atrazine applied.
Initial storm of season.
Notice preferential flow.
A
B
Soil Horizon
Calculated from Kladivco, et al. (1999); models from Cornell
68% of leachable atrazine was lost to preferential flow during the first storm.
What are the implications from a treatment standpoint?
What ‘stands out’ about the landscape?
Soil Color, Soil Aeration or Drainage, and the Oxidation State of Iron
1. Iron is reduced1. Iron is reduced
2. Fe2. Fe++++
3. dull colors (grays, 3. dull colors (grays, blueblue))
4. poorly drained4. poorly drained
1. Iron is oxidized1. Iron is oxidized
2. 2. FeFe++++++
3. bright colors 3. bright colors ((yellowsyellows, browns), browns)
4. well drained4. well drained
POOR AERATION GOOD AERATION
Okay . . .
. . . Back to the site and soil evalution.
Not suitable . . .
• Wetland
• Poor soil structure
• Flood prone
• Extremely shallow to bedrock
• Recently disturbed
• Excessively gravelly
• What else makes a site not suitable?
Approx. 1.1 acre
Approx. 1.1 acre
Summary
• Surface view looked promising
• Standing corn stalks- looked good
• Did not visually see any ‘drowned’ out areas
• Mapped Pewamo
• Very weak and or no soil structure – high clay
• No system will work here (except for city services)
PIT
PIT
Approx. 20 acres
Ohio Rapid Assessment Method• Provides for a quantitative wetland assessment
of a parcel • Does not replace a formal wetland delineation• Allows for categorizing wetlands: Category 1, 2,
or 3.• Training and additional information online at:
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/wetlands/WetlandEcologySection.html#Training
Keep all traffic off the soil absorption fields (including construction traffic), especially when saturated or if there is snow cover.
• Do not discharge from basement footing drains or other clean water sources into the soil absorption fields.
• Divert downspouts and other rainwater drainage away from the soil absorption fields. The extra rainwater can overwhelm the system.
• Establish a grass cover over the soil absorption fields as soon as possible after installation to prevent erosion and promote plant uptake of water.
• Avoid planting trees on or adjacent to the soil absorption fields.
• Keep pavement, decks, above ground pools, and out buildings off of and away from the soil absorption fields. Construction activity can compact the soil and the structures limit access to the septic system or soil absorption fields for maintenance.
• Never put additional fill over the soil absorption fields.
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