Topsoil Stripping Research Articles

Investigating Magnetic Ghosts on an Early Middle Age Settlement: Comparison of Data from Stripped and Non‐stripped Areas

ABSTRACTStatute laws concerning preventative archaeology adopted in France in 2001 for threatened sites required development of evaluation techniques. The common methodology used during the past 10 years has been extensive excavation. This method delivers a direct record of the discovered archaeological features and of their distribution. However, the success of visual observation can be variable, depending on geological context and the feasibility of envisaging the entire archaeological settlement from the part that is observed. We report here a case study from an early Middle Age settlement located on a floodplain. It was partially excavated and the alluvial context makes the features difficult to recognize for archaeologists. We show how the geophysical survey complemented the archaeological survey and allowed the detection of previously unrecognized features. In a second step, we compare the results of surveys with magnetic and electromagnetic methods on a topsoil stripped area and the neighbouring surface. From this analysis we conclude that a significant part of the unrecognized features discovered were present above the level of stripping. This example underlines that the practice of topsoil stripping has to be reconsidered, and should be integrated with geophysical survey to limit the potential loss of archaeological information. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Species richness and diversity related to anthropogenic soil disturbance in abandoned meadows in the Bieszczady Mts. (Eastern Carpathians)

The study was focused on soil factors influencing species richness and diversity after disturbance of the substrate followed by abandonment. Two types of disturbances in the past were considered: the removal of trees and shrubs with the resulting major destruction of soils, and deep ploughing. As a control meadows not covered by any management schemes for 50 years were studied. The topsoil stripping resulted in decrease of potassium, nitrogen and organic carbon contents, while deep ploughing caused less radical effects. Simultaneously, disturbances of the soil delayed the course of succession, and brought increase in species. The most species-rich are ploughed meadows. No differences in terms of species diversity, domination and evenness between the forms of disturbances were identified. However, there were groups of species indicative for soil disturbances. Analysis of the relationships between vegetation differentiation and the properties of soil suggests that available phosphorus may affect species richness and diversity in mountain meadows.

English

An uncommon variety of perennial mustard occurred in a topsoil stripping area at a southeast Montana coal mine. Spring Creek Coal Company is attempting to reestablish Physaria didymocarpa (Hook.) A. Gray var. lanata A. Nelson, woolly twinpod, in reclamation. This recognized variety is rated S1 in Montana (at risk, imperiled); the G5 (common, secure) global designation refers to generic Physaria didymocarpa (common twinpod), whereas T2 (less imperiled than S1, it occurs also in WY) refers to the trinomial (var. lanata). It is more of a stenotopic stress-tolerator than a competitor. In the wild, fruits aren't produced every year and empty capsules are common, hence the prospects for collecting seed appeared dim. Fifty mature plants were collected from the area permitted for mining and transplanted into five-gallon Smartpots™ with a mix of native scoria soil, manure-based compost, and commerical mycorrhizal inoculant. One year later, most were magnificent specimens bearing more and bigger fruits than seen in nature. Because seed production is naturally meager, cloning was implemented to propagate seedlings to become nursery-raised transplants. Tissue culture was easily started from seed provided by three of the original transplants. However, transplanting and acclimatizing them to commercial greenhouse conditions presented other problems. Seedling survival was just 15%. Seed collected from the initial transplants, prompted by their prodigious fruit production, yielded about 90% survival. From these two propagation methods, more than one thousand 115-ml (seven- cubic-inch) stubby cells were raised in 2008. An experimental population was planted in fall 2008 into suitable mine reclamation. Approximately 800 seedlings will be transplanted in spring 2009, this effort to be repeated in subsequent years. In addition to delicate clone roots/indurate agar, challenges include nursery rot due to the tendency to collect water at the rosette center, providing good root/soil contact when transplanting into appropriate coarse substrate, and possible herbivory. Flexibility and adaption are key elements of the revegetation program. Some lessons may guide others similarly engaged.

Excavations on the site of a late Iron Age roundhouse and souterrain, Glen Cloy, Brodick, Isle of Arran

Archaeological monitoring during topsoil stripping of a hotel and leisure development site in Glen Cloy, Isle of Arran in 2001 revealed the presence of a well-preserved, substantial roundhouse and an associated complex souterrain. The discovery is significant in terms of the information it provides for the distribution of souterrains in Scotland generally and in the west in particular, and for settlement and craft activities on Arran in the late Iron Age. Dates obtained from the roundhouse suggest a construction date in the late 2nd or early 1st century BC.

Excavations on the site of a late Iron Age roundhouse and souterrain, Glen Cloy, Brodick, Isle of Arran

Archaeological monitoring during topsoil stripping of a hotel and leisure development site in Glen Cloy, Isle of Arran in 2001 revealed the presence of a well-preserved, substantial roundhouse and an associated complex souterrain. The discovery is significant in terms of the information it provides for the distribution of souterrains in Scotland generally and in the west in particular, and for settlement and craft activities on Arran in the late Iron Age. Dates obtained from the roundhouse suggest a construction date in the late 2nd or early 1st century BC.

Bronze Age Burnt Mounds and Early Medieval Timber Structures at Town Farm Quarry, Burlescombe, Devon

A multi-period site was exposed during topsoil stripping at Town Farm Quarry, Burlescombe, Devon, in 2005. Surviving remains included two Bronze Age burnt mounds with timber-lined troughs and pits, and a collection of well-preserved timber structures associated with a natural spring, constructed in the seventh century AD. A complete leather shoe of the same date was recovered from the fill of a hollowed tree trunk, probably used as a wellhead. A range of studies, including an extensive dendrochronological and radiocarbon dating programme, has illustrated the changing environment of the site and contributed to the interpretation of the assemblage. Early post-Roman sites remain particularly uncommon in Devon, with burnt mounds otherwise yet to be identified.

Potential nitrate leaching to groundwater from house building

Nitrate pollution has been identified as a major water quality issue in the UK. This study aimed to determine the potential additional loading of nitrate that could arise from the disturbance caused by house construction. The study is centred around the towns of Nottingham and Mansfield, UK, which are situated on a Triassic Sandstone aquifer. Soil samples up to a depth of 2·70 m were taken from seven sites under construction and other land uses. The average nitrogen load was 59 kg ha−1, which is slightly higher than the nitrate leaching observed when temporary grassland is ploughed in temperate climates. The most important factors involved in nitrogen loss from house building are expected to be previous land use, quantity of total nitrogen after topsoil stripping, and seasonal timing of construction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The excavation of two burnt mounds and a wooden trough near Beechwood Farm, Inshes, Inverness, 1999

An archaeological watching brief undertaken during topsoil stripping operations in the course of sewer construction led to the identification of two burnt mounds and a series of unrelated pits. Subsequent archaeological excavation of one of the mounds revealed the remains of a waterlogged timber trough, the contents of which afforded the preservation of environmental information concerning its use and later abandonment. The trough was radiocarbon dated to the late third millennium cal BC, placing it in the Early Bronze Age.

Nitrate leaching from construction sites to groundwater in the Nottingham, UK, urban area

Nitrate pollution has been identified as a major water quality issue in the UK. The aim of this project is to research the rate of nitrate leaching to groundwater that arises from construction works. The study area is situated in Nottingham UK, which is situated on the Triassic Sandstone aquifer. Soil samples up to a depth of 2.50 m were taken from three sites under construction and other land use. The results have shown a high variability in the concentrations of soil-nitrate. The reasons for this variability include soil type, past land use, soil treatment and type of vegetation prior to construction works. The average nitrogen load was 65 kg N ha(-1) which is higher than the nitrate leaching observed when temporary grassland is ploughed during autumn. The highest nitrate concentrations were observed in an allotment site (133 kg N ha(-1)) due to the high amount of manure applied at this location. The construction practice of top soil stripping can produce a reduction of nitrate leaching because it removes the part of the soil that contains most of the potentially mineralizable nitrogen.

EFFECTS OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION ON CHERNOZEMIC AND SOLONETZIC A AND B HORIZONS IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

The effects of pipeline construction on agricultural soil quality ratings were evaluated for the A and B horizons of Orthic Dark Brown Chernozem and Dark Brown Solonetz soils at three sites in Central Alberta 1 wk after construction. At each site, samples of the Ap horizon from the spoil side, trench, and work side portions of a pipeline right-of-way were compared to a sample of the Ap horizon from an adjacent area unaffected by pipeline construction. Spoil material below replaced topsoil on the trench was compared to a sample of an undisturbed B horizon. Regardless of soil type or land use, construction had no effect on the Ap horizon on the work side. This was due to optimum weather conditions during construction; low rainfall resulted in lack of soil rutting and minimal soil mixing. For both soil types under cultivation, construction increased soluble salt concentrations in the Ap horizons on the spoil side due to mixing of topsoil and spoil materials. There were few effects on the Ap horizon on the spoil side in pasture land, due to trench only topsoil stripping and easy spoil removal from a well-developed sod layer. Both the Ap and spoil from the trench in the Dark Brown Solonetz had increased salt concentrations, while there were few changes in the Dark Brown Chernozem. Mixing of topsoil and spoil material, and bringing salt-enriched material to the spoil surface are thought to be reponsible for the increase. For both soils and land uses, soil effects due to construction were reflected in the Ap horizon of the trench and spoil side by changes in pH, electrical conductivity, soluble salts and bulk density. Even with the increases in the soil properties monitored, the results indicated that regardless of soil type or land use, pipeline construction did not significantly affect the agricultural soil quality of the A and B horizons. Key words: Pipeline construction, solonetz, chernozem, work side, trench, spoil side

Techniques for reducing soil fertility for nature conservation purposes: A review in relation to research at Roper's Heath, Suffolk, England

From 1954–1979 Roper's Heath in Suffolk was farmed with heavy inputs of fertiliser. In 1979, it was purchased as a nature reserve, and it is hoped to restore a heathland vegetation. One of the main problems for such restoration is that caused by high soil fertility. In order to reduce this fertility, cereal crops were harvested between 1980 and 1982. This paper investigates the effectiveness of this treatment by assessing (1) the amount of nutrients removed, and (2) the effect on soil fertility using bioassay techniques. In addition, various alternative techniques for helping to reduce soil fertility, e.g. straw/stubble burning, topsoil stripping, specific fertiliser additions to increase crop yield and hence increase the removal of other nutrients with the crop, and grazing, are reviewed and discussed.

Pre-impoundment site preparation: a study of the effects of topsoil stripping on reservoir water quality

Pre-impoundment site preparation: a study of the effects of topsoil stripping on reservoir water quality