Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Anthropogenic Hydric Soils on Mine Tailings in the copper Basin, Tennessee

摘要

Hydric soils are oen criteria in delineating wetlands. The formation of a tailings pond related to copper and pyrite milling near Ducktown, Tennessee, presented an opportunity to study hydric soils which have formed on wetlands of anthropogenic origin. Objectives of this study were to: 1) perform complete soil chemical, morphological, and physical characterization; 2) classify soils to the family level of Soil Taxonomy; and 3) use soil chemical, morphological, and physical characterization to identify hydric soils and delineate the hydric soil fringe. Three hydric soil profiles were described and sampled. Depth to the gleyed layer ranged from 8 to 17 cm, which fit hydric soil criteria. depth to the water table ranged from 28 to 42 cm. Substantial hydrophytic vegetation such as cattails, rushes, and sedges were present. Laboratory analysis included standard soil survey methods. Profile 1 had a soil drainage class of very poorly drained while profiles 2 and 3 had a soil drainage class of poorly drained. Profiles 1 and 3 were classified as sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Endoaquents. Profile 2 was classified as a mixed, mesic Typic Psammaquent. Soil chemical, morphological, and physical characterization were successful in identifying anthropogenic hydric soils to delineate the hydric soil fringer for future land use.