Genesis of clay lamellae in golf course soils of Mississippi, USA

Abstract

Clay lamellae have been observed in the sand putting green soils of a golf course in Mississippi, USA. These lamellae result in reduced water infiltration, saturated soils, and a decline in turfgrass density. The soils featured an A horizon of 4 to 5 cm, mixed A/C horizons of approximately 10 cm, and C horizons of about 30 cm over gravel. The soils were constructed in 2005 with 90% (quartz) sand and 10% (by volume) sand-sized calcined clay over 10 cm of gravel, which was constructed on a subgrade of compacted native soil. Clay lamellae were commonly observed at the interface of sand and gravel, with the exception of a soil profile directly above a drain pipe. Clay contents in the lamellae ranged from 0.10 to 3.8 percent. We proposed three hypotheses to explain the formation of these lamellae: 1) clay was present in the sand as a construction contaminant and subsequently moved downward, 2) clay originated from the breakdown and subsequent translocation of a calcined soil amendment that was used to construct the soils, or 3) clay from the underlying compacted subgrade moved upwards through the gravel and into the sand. In each hypothesis, clay accumulated at the boundary of sand and gravel due to preferential retention of water in the sand above the gravel. X-ray diffraction showed that the lamellae contained kaolinite and quartz, whereas the calcined soil amendment contained illite and no kaolinite. The underlying subgrade soil contained kaolinite, quartz, and hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite. Discriminant analysis of X-ray fluorescence spectra showed that the clay fractions of these three different samples had unique chemical fingerprints. These findings suggest that the lamellae did not likely originate from the calcined soil amendment or the subgrade soil. We propose that they originated from clay that was initially present in the sand, which was translocated downwards. This study provides evidence for formation of lamellae in less than 10 years, and provides an example of accelerated soil formation due to anthropogenic factors.

Urban areas, human health and technosols for the green deal

“…Authors mention the existence of a minority of articles related to activities as diverse as agriculture (Rokia et al, 2014 ), recreational activities as golf courses (Obear et al, 2017 ), natural spaces, waste landfill (associated with municipal waste dumps) and aqua culture (Cortinhas et al, 2020 ) (Fig. 2 ).…”

Spatial Variability of Soil Properties and Portable X-Ray Fluorescence-quantified Elements of typical Golf Courses Soils

“…Golf course soils were disturbed by anthropogenic activities including mowing, irrigation and fertilization, aeration, topdressing, particularly on fairways (Pernilla Tidåkera, et al) 35 . X-ray fluorescence spectra was used and explained the lamellae formation in the clay fractions of golf course samples (Glen R. Obear, et al) 36 . Additionally, some commercial activities and industry activities also have influence on the golf course.…”

Origin, properties and transformation of soil lamellae in rusty soils (Brunic Arenosols) in southeastern Poland

“…Except for the abovementioned views, a polygenesis of the described forms has also been identified, characterized by both geologic and pedologic factors (Rawling, 2000). The number of case studies describing pedo-petrogenic lamellae origin has increased in the last few decades (Coen et al, 1966;Gile, 1979;Boubaid et al, 1992;Soil Survey Staff, 1999;Rawling, 2000;Schaetzl, 2001;Kilibarda et al, 2008;Jankowski, 2012;Obear et al, 2017).…”