Tuesday, 8 November 2005
21

Soil Hydraulic Conductivity of an Epiaqualf-Argiaquoll Toposequence: Wabash Moraine, Northeastern Indiana.

Kelli Hart1, Brad D. Lee1, Donald P. Franzmeier1, and Philip Schoeneberger2. (1) Purdue University, Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (2) USDA-NSSC, 100 Centennial Mall N, MS-34, Lincoln, NE 68508

In northeastern Indiana, septic system failure has led to new state legislation and a soil hydraulic conductivity investigation on a series of concentric moraines formed from the Erie-Ontario lobe (Wisconsin glaciation). The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) across an Epiaqualf - Argiaquoll toposequence on the Wabash moraine. Soil particle size analysis and hydraulic conductivity at the summit, shoulder, backslope, footslope, and toeslope were determined. Clay content ranged from 24-34 % in the Ap horizons, 34-45 % in the Bt horizons, 26-50 % in the BC horizons, and 26-52 % in the Cd horizons. The Ap horizons had the highest Ksat at all hillslope positions (3.66 x 10-7 - 6.47 x 10-6 m s-1). At the summit, shoulder, backslope, and footslope positions, the Bt horizons had the lowest Ksat (6.11 x 10-9 – 2.14 x 10-8 m s-1); while at the toeslope position the lowest Ksat was in the BC horizon (1.44 x 10-8 m s-1). There were no significant Ksat differences between Ap horizons of all hillslope positions. Hydraulic conductivity of the Bt, BC, and Cd horizons in the summit and shoulder positions was significantly different from the Ksat of the Bt, BC, and Cd horizons in the footslope and toeslope positions. The Ksat of backslope horizons was not significantly different from other hillslope positions. Within this study area, we found that below the Ap horizon, topography plays an important role in septic system performance.


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