Ochre and Subsurface Drainage in Cultivated Organic Soils of Willard Marsh, Ohio

Abstract

ABSTRACT SEDIMENTS in subsurface drainage systems were characterized in cultivated organic soils of the Willard Marsh. On-site inspections of sediment-affected drains were made, and soil permeability to water was measured in the field. Chemical analyses were made on drain sedi-ments and soil for ferrous iron, total iron, manganese, aluminum, organic matter, mineral content and pH. The permeability of the subsoil was quite low, rang-ing from 0.1 to 0.4 cm/hr. The plow layer permeability varied from about 1.5 to 2.5 cm/hr. Sediments from drains ranged from 100 percent organic material to a mixture of organic and mineral materials. A maximum iron content of 35 percent was found in an ochreous sediment/Ferrous iron in the soil increased markedly below drain depth. Subsurface drainage appears to be impeded by two principle factors: One is the low perme-ability of the subsoil and the other is the accumula-tion of organic sediments and ochre (iron) in drains.