Improved hydropedological identification of soil salinity types in upland South Australia using seasonal trends in soil electrical conductivity
Date
2010
Authors
Thomas, M.
Fitzpatrick, R.
Heinson, G.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings: 19th World Congress of Soil Science. Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August, 2010 / R. J. Gilkes and N. Prakongkep (eds.): pp.52-55
Statement of Responsibility
Mark Thomas, Rob Fitzpatrick and Graham Heinson
Conference Name
World Congress of Soil Science (19th : 2010 : Brisbane, Queensland)
Abstract
Our hydropedological methods explain variations in seasonal changes during late winter (September) and late summer (April) to electrical conductivity (i.e. solute concentrations) in 19 near-surface (< 0.7 m) soil profile layers from a range of topographic settings within a 120 ha study area in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. By combining down profile trends of clay per cent, 1:5 water extractable cations and ions, and soil-landscape and terrain analysis patterns, we establish existence of four salinity types consistent with a new process-based salinity classification; two were associated with upper slope positions featuring perched watertables while the other two were associated with deep saline watertables, though in upper and lower landscape positions. Conceptual toposequence models for each salinity type explain the interactions between groundwater, soil morphology and landscape position. The methodology provides a convenient, costeffective adjunct to conventional groundwater approaches (e.g. nested piezometers) to determine patterns of water flow and solute transport in saline landscapes.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© 2010 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World 1 – 6 August 2010, Brisbane, Australia.