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Vertisols of the world A more detailed map of the global distribution of Vertisols. A vertisol is a Soil Order in the USDA soil taxonomy [1] and a Reference Soil Group in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). [2] It is also defined in many other soil classification systems. In the Australian Soil Classification it is called ...
Due to the physical and chemical properties of some clays [4] (such as the Lias Group) large swelling occurs when water is absorbed. Conversely when the water dries up these clays contract (shrink). The presence of these clay minerals is what allows soils to have the capacity to shrink and swell.
Expansive clay, also called expansive soil, is a clay soil prone to large volume changes (swelling and shrinking) directly related to changes in water content. [1] Soils with a high content of expansive minerals can form deep cracks in drier seasons or years; such soils are called vertisols.
These properties vary through the depth of a soil profile, i.e. through soil horizons. Most of these properties determine the aeration of the soil and the ability of water to infiltrate and to be held within the soil. [5]
A soil family category is a group of soils within a subgroup and describes the physical and chemical properties which affect the response of soil to agricultural management and engineering applications. The principal characteristics used to differentiate soil families include texture, mineralogy, pH, permeability, structure, consistency, the ...
Argillipedoturbation, sometimes referred to as self-mulching, is a process of soil mixing caused by the shrinking and swelling of the smectite clays contained in soil. [1] [2] It is an effect specific to soils of the vertisolic variety, and is triggered by the constant cycles of wetting and drying [1] It is characterized by wide (up to 2 centimetres (0.79 in)), deep (50 centimetres (20 in) or ...
Chemical properties can be contrasted with physical properties, which can be discerned without changing the substance's structure. However, for many properties within the scope of physical chemistry , and other disciplines at the boundary between chemistry and physics , the distinction may be a matter of researcher's perspective .
Cation-exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of how many cations can be retained on soil particle surfaces. [1] Negative charges on the surfaces of soil particles bind positively-charged atoms or molecules (cations), but allow these to exchange with other positively charged particles in the surrounding soil water. [2]