Hydropedology: NE 1021Hydropedology: NE 1021On going studies conducted at On going studies conducted at

the University of Massachusetts the University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst

HYDROLOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY,

& SOILS OF CALCAREOUS

FENS

J. Morgan

IntroductionEvaluated the hydrologic factors that exist in calcareous fens.

Documented the level of calcium enrichment and pH that occurred in eight study sites across the three geographic locations.

The hydrology and geochemistry were compared to examine the relationship between the two.

Materials and Methods

Hydrologic Measurementsnested piezometers (100 cm and 150 cm) 5-cm diameter PVC well (screened from 0-60 cm) suction lysimeter (30 cm depth; 0.1 MPa air entry value)

Materials and MethodsWater Chemical AnalysisOne sample each month was analyzed for

nutrients:orthophosphate - Ascorbic Acid method (SM 4500-P.E) ammonium - Nessler’s method (SM 4500-NH3.C) total iron - Ferrover method (SM 3500-Fe.D)

Materials and MethodsWater Chemical Analysis

After nutrient analyses the remaining sample was acidified (with 1µL 1.0 M HNO3) stored at 4oC. Additional analysis was for:

calcium (3500-Ca.B)magnesium (3500-Mg.B) potassium (3500-K.B).

Soil AnalysisSamples were characterized physically and chemically for the uppermost horizons

Particle size analysis (pipette method)Bulk density (core method)Percent organic matter (loss on ignition)pH (water method)Exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium (ammonium acetate method)Extractable phosphorus and iron (AB-DTPA method) Total nitrogen (Dumas method)

Results & Discussion

Vertical groundwater gradients at locations:

a) Jug End,

b) Schenob Brook,

c) Shmulsky.

Values greater than zero represent discharge conditions; values less than zero represent recharge conditions.

Each bar represents one pair of piezometers at a central location in each site.

Tota

l Fe

(mg.

L-1 )

0

2

4

6

8

10

12 Bartholomew (SBB)Schenob Central (SBC)Schenob North (SBN)Schenob South (SBS)

2006

May 4

June

10

July

6

Augu

st 1

Sept.

7

Oct. 5

Tota

l Fe

(mg.

L-1 )

0

2

4

6

8

10

12 Shmulsky Open (SO)Shmulsky Shrub (SS)

Tota

l Fe

(mg.

L-1 )

0

2

4

6

8

10

12 Jug End North (JN)Jug End South (JS)

a.

b.

c.

Results & Discussion

Seasonal variation in water iron (mg.L-1) at the a) Jug End, b) Schenob Brook and c) Shmulsky locations.

Each point represents a mean of three replicate samples.

May 1

8

June

10

June

19Ju

ly 6

July

17Au

gust

1

Augu

st 15

Sept.

7Se

pt. 2

1

Oct. 1

8

Oct.

5

Reduced Iron (Fe2+) – Shmulsky Open

0-15

15-30

Depth (cm)

= none = low = high= medium = no data

May 1

8

June

10

June

19Ju

ly 6

July

17Au

gust

1

Augu

st 15

Sept.

7Se

pt. 2

1

Oct. 1

8

Oct.

5

Reduced Iron (Fe2+) – Shmulsky Open

0-15

15-30

Depth (cm)

= none = low = high= medium = no data

May 1

8

June

10

June

19Ju

ly 6

July

17Au

gust

1

Augu

st 15

Sept.

7Se

pt. 2

1

Oct. 1

8

Oct.

5

Reduced Iron (Fe2+) – Jug End North

0-15

15-30

Depth (cm)

= none = low = high= medium = no data

May 1

8

June

10

June

19Ju

ly 6

July

17Au

gust

1

Augu

st 15

Sept.

7Se

pt. 2

1

Oct. 1

8

Oct.

5

Reduced Iron (Fe2+) – Jug End North

0-15

15-30

Depth (cm)

= none = low = high= medium = no data

Results & Discussion

Results of α, α-dipyridyl assessment of redox status of surface soil horizon. Presence of reduced iron indicates anaerobic conditions.

Soil physical and chemical properties for the 8 study sites. Data are the mean of 3 soil samples collected from 3 soil pits at each site.

Location Site pH Organic Matter Total N

AB-DTPA Extractable

Elements (pH 7.6)

Exchangeable cations (NH4OAc, pH 7)

P Fe Ca Mg K Fe

% by wt. ----------------------------------------------- mg kg-1------------------------------------------

Jug End

JN 7.3 ab 14.0 bc 5646 bc 1.1 a 99.0 cd 3132 b 335.7 cd 39.6 a 0.7 a

JS 7.5 a 11.1 c 4653 c 1.3 a 63.9 bd 2649 b 289.7 d 31.5 a 0.8 a

Mean 7.4 A 12.5 A 5150 A 1.5 A 81.5 A 2891 A 312.7 A 35.6 A 0.7 A

SchenobBrook

SBB 7.0 abc 17.1 bc 7630 abc 2.0 a 137.5 bcd 3914 b 459.8 bcd 59.1 a 1.4 a

SBC 6.8 abc 10.6 c 3620 c 2.1a 89.4 cd 2483 b 335.2 cd 41.9 a 2.8 a

SBN 6.4 bc 51.1 a 14843 a 2.5 a 267.0 ab 7968 a 1204.1 a 90.8a 3.7 a

SBS 6.1 d 35.0 ab 14323 ab 4.2 a 401.3 a 5232 a 780.9 b 216.6 a 6.8 a

Mean 6.5 B 26.6 B 10104 B 2.7 B 222.3 B 4900 B 695.0 B 104.7 B 3.7 B

Shmulsky

SO 6.4 bc 26.1 abc 10513 abc 1.8 a 162.7 abc 4907 b 681.8 bc 36.4 a 1.3 a

SS 6.8 abc 13.9 bc 6246 abc 1.3 a 127.1 bcd 2926 b 401.4 cd 34.8 a 1.1 a

Mean 6.6 B 20.0 AB 8380 AB 1.2 A 144.9 B 3916 AB 541.6 B 35.6 A 1.2 B

Means with different letters are significantly different by Tukey’s Test (p=0.05). Uppercase letters represent differences among locations and lowercase letters represent differences among the eight sites.

Seasonal range and seasonal mean of water magnesium, calcium, and Ca/Mg ratio for the eight study sites.

Location Site Code Seasonal Calcium Range

Seasonal Mean Calcium

Seasonal Mean Magnesium

Seasonal Mean Ca:Mg

Jug End JN 37.0-112.5 82.1 ab 30.0-60.5 42.5 ab 1.41-2.31 1.91 ab

JS 47.3-95.0 78.9 ab 32.0-59.0 44.1 ab 1.39-2.13 1.78 bc

80.5 A 43.3 A 1.85 A

SBB 42.5-78.5 63.2 bc 17.3-42.5 29.1 c 1.96-2.60 2.12 q

SBC 16.3-37.8 25.7 e 9.3-30.0 16.2 d 1.41-1.82 1.62 cd

Schenob Brook

SBN 22.0-73.5 52.0 cd 14.8-42.0 32.7 bc 1.41-1.93 1.55 cd

SBS 22.5-52.5 36.9 de 15.3-37.5 24.8 cd 1.29-1.69 1.47 d

44.4 B 25.7 B 1.69 B

Shmulsky SO 38.0-133.5 92.0 23.0-70.0 54.0 a 1.49-2.01 1.71 bcd

SS 33.5-74.5 52.9 25.0-46.5 32.4 bc 1.27-1.91 1.63 bcd

72.4 A 43.2 A 1.67 C

Seasonal Magnesium Range

Seasonal Ca:Mg Range

Location mean:

Location mean:

Location mean:

----------------------------------------------------- mg L-1 -------------------------------------------------------

Means with different letters are significantly different by Tukey’s Test (p=0.05). Uppercase letters represent differences among locations and lowercase letters represent differences among the eight sites.

Conclusions

Significant differences in water and soil calcium, magnesium, and pH were observed among study sites and among locationsDiffering trends in water table depth and vertical groundwater gradients.

ConclusionsWater table depth and vertical groundwater gradients could not be correlated to each other as it was determined that sites were receiving water through different mechanisms (directly upwelling or lateral flow from upwelling zones). The level of upwelling seemed to control the average water calcium level, but the fluctuation in the water table seemed to govern how that calcium varied across the season.

Investigation of Hadley Soils

M. Nowak

http://www.olturtlefarm.com/images/man_with_lettuce.png

Introduction

The overall goal of this study is to document and assess the variations in soil formation and morphological characteristics of agricultural soils within the Hadley soil series along the Connecticut River in Hampshire County, Massachusetts.

http://amherstmarineofficer.com/IMG_0001.JPG

HypothesisMuch of the area

mapped as Hadley silt loam (Entisols) has undergone enough

soil formationto be considered

Inceptisols.

http://www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/Soil%20Profiles/

Hadley%20old%20field%20profile.jpg

Hadley silt loam: Coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, mesic Typic Udifluvent

Evidence of soil formation (i.e. BwHorizon forming) as well as redox concentrations.

Soil Iron

Primary coloring agent of subsoilQuantitative analysis can determine:

Relative soil ageConditions of soil formationMineral transformationsAlternating reducing/oxidizing conditions

Laboratory Analysis

Procedures designed to target specific fractions of soil Fe

Total or free Fe oxideDithionite-citrate extraction

Poorly crystalline or amorphous Fe oxideAmmonium oxalate extraction

Organically bound Fe oxideSodium pyrophosphate extraction

Particle Size Analysis*

Silt Content Clay Content

Average 42.5% 4.9%

Maximum 77.1% 20.5%

Minimum 13.4% 0.5%

Median 37.8% 3.7%

* 38 of 92 samples analyzed – of the 25 profiles, most samples currently analyzed are C Horizons

Riparian Zone Investigation Guilford, CT

Rebecca Elwood

Wells, piezometers, and redox probes were Wells, piezometers, and redox probes were placed in six locations along an placed in six locations along an approximately 100approximately 100--meter transect. meter transect.

The riparian zone is a mixed hardwood area The riparian zone is a mixed hardwood area containing a toe slope wetland at the base of containing a toe slope wetland at the base of an approximately 15%, slightly convex slope an approximately 15%, slightly convex slope and an oxbow wetland. and an oxbow wetland.

Between the two wetland areas is a section Between the two wetland areas is a section of subtle ridge and swale topography. The of subtle ridge and swale topography. The surrounding land contains common outcrops surrounding land contains common outcrops of gneiss and schist. of gneiss and schist.

Mean Redox Potential Values (30 cm depth)

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

10/22

/2006

6/25-2

6/200

7

7/15/2

007

7/22/2

007

8/1-2/

2007

9/16/2

007

10/20

/2007

Red

ox P

oten

tial (

Eh, m

V)

Toeslope WetlandOxbow WetlandDepressionNon-Hydric

Rebecca ElwoodUMass M.S. candidate

Mean Redox Potential Values (60 cm)

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

10/22

/2006

6/25-2

6/200

7

7/15/2

007

7/22/2

007

8/1-2/

2007

9/16/2

007

10/20

/2007

Red

ox P

oten

tial (

Eh, m

V)

Toeslope WetlandOxbow WetlandDepressionNon-Hydric

Rebecca ElwoodUMass M.S. candidate

Wells

-55.0

-50.0

-45.0

-40.0

-35.0

-30.0

-25.0

-20.0

-15.0

-10.0

-5.0

0.0

5.0

10.0

10/22

/2006

6/23/2

007

7/15-1

6/200

7

7/22/2

007

8/1-2/

2007

8/18/2

007

9/16/2

007

10/20

/2007

WL

dept

h B

GS

(cm

)

Toeslope Wetland

Oxbow Wetland

Ridge & Swale-Depressional Wetland

Upland

Ridge & Swale-Non-Hydric

Non-Hydric Riparian

Rebecca ElwoodUMass M.S. candidate

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Date

Dep

th b

elow

Gra

de (c

m)

2A - 45 cm2A - 60 cm

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Date

Dep

th b

elow

Gra

de (c

m)

4A - 45 cm4A - 60 cm

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Date

Dep

th b

elow

Gra

de (c

m)

5A - 45 cm5A - 60 cm

Jun 23 Jul 15 Jul 22 Aug 1 Aug 18 Sep 16 Oct 20

Dep

th b

elow

gra

de (c

m)

Dep

th b

elow

gra

de (c

m)

Dep

th b

elow

gra

de (c

m)

Piezometer Data

Station 2 =Toeslope wetland

Station 4 = Ridge & swale depressional wetland

Station 5 = Oxbow wetland

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Date

Dept

h be

low

Gra

de (c

m)

3A - 45 cm3A - 60 cm

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Date

Dept

h be

low

Gra

de (c

m)

6A - 45 cm6A - 60 cm

Jun 23 Jul 15 Jul 22 Aug 1 Aug 18 Sep 16 Oct 20

Piezometer Data

Station 3 = Ridge & swale non-hydric

Station 6 = Non-hydric riparian

Red Soils – Wadsworth Mansion Site Middletown, CT

23

1

Site is located on Site is located on the grounds of the the grounds of the Wadsworth EstateWadsworth Estate

Wilbraham silt loam Wilbraham silt loam –– CoarseCoarse--loamy, mixed, active, mesic loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aquic DystrudeptsAquic Dystrudepts

Menlo muck Menlo muck –– coarsecoarse--loamy, loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic mixed, active, mesic Typic EndoaquollsEndoaquolls

Well

Installed at all sites

(50 – 55 cm)

Iris Tubes

Installed at sites

1 and 3

Piezometers

Installed at site 1

(30 & 60 cm)

Redox Probes

Installed at all sites

(25 & 50 cm)

Measurements began in April, 2008

Piezometer Data

-40-35-30-25-20-15-10-505

10

Date

Dept

h Be

low

Gra

de (c

m)

30 cm60 cm

Apr. 16 Apr. 25 Apr. 29 May 3 May 10 May 19 May 25

Well Data

-40-35-30-25-20-15-10-505

Date

Dep

th B

elow

Gra

de

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Apr 16 Apr 25 Apr 29 May 3 May 10 May 19 May 25

Redox Data

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

9-Apr 16-Apr 23-Apr 30-Apr 7-May 14-May 21-May 28-May

Date

Eh (m

V)

Site 1 - 30 cmSite 1 - 45 cmSite 2 - 30 cmSite 2 - 45 cmSite 3 - 30 cm

Data are the mean of 5 redox probes

Hydropedology: NE 1021HYDROLOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY, & SOILS OF CALCAREOUS FENSIntroductionMaterials and MethodsMaterials and MethodsSoil AnalysisConclusionsConclusionsInvestigation of Hadley SoilsIntroductionHypothesisSoil IronLaboratory AnalysisParticle Size Analysis*Riparian Zone Investigation Guilford, CTRed Soils – Wadsworth Mansion Site Middletown, CT