A Characterization and Genetic Study of Two Modal Reddish Prairie Soils

Abstract

AbstractThe Zaneis and Kingfisher series are both developed from Permian “Red Bed” deposits and occur primarily in the Reddish Prairie Provinces of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.Four profiles of the Zaneis series and two profiles of the Kingfisher series were sampled in detail. Chemical and physical studies were made on each subhorizon. Clay mineralogical studies were made for each major horizon. The clay was separated into two fractions: 2 to 0.2µ and < 0.2µ. Ethylene glycol retention, nonexchangeable K, cation‐exchange capacity, differential thermal, and X‐ray diffraction analyses were made.Results show the clay fractions of all six profiles contain a high percentage of particles < 0.2µ in diameter. Montmorillonitic‐type minerals dominate the fine clays of all six profiles while illite, vermiculite, and kaolinite are dominant in the coarse clays. Very little evidence of weathering of clay minerals was found. Apparently the clay minerals present in the solum are, for the most part, inherited directly from the clay minerals present in the parent materials.The parent materials of the Kingfisher soils were found to differ in character from those of the Zaneis. The soil materials of the Kingfisher soil appear to have been deposited in brackish water; whereas, those of the Zaneis were deposited in more fresh water.