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Organic Soils on the Lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina¹

ABSTRACT

The organic deposits on the lower Coastal Plain of North Carolina form a blanket of variable thickness over a mineral landscape which was dissected during the Wisconsin glacial period. The characteristics of the soils developed in the organic deposits show a distinct relationship to their position over the pre-peat landscape.

The soils found over the higher parts of the pre-peat landscape are chiefly classified as Leptists and mineral soils with histic epipedons. They consist of debris from a mixed swamp forest vegetation, have brown to black colors, are well aerated, friable, and show considerable faunal activity.

The soils found over the lower parts of the pre-peat land scape are chiefly classified as Saprists. They are formed from remains of Nyssa-Taxodium swamp vegetation, have reddishbrown to dark reddish-brown colors, are poorly aerated and are structureless. When wet they are paste-like but upon drying they become hard, often irreversibly so. They are more acid than the shallow organic soils, and very little faunal activity is in evidence.

Translocation of organic matter can be observed in the shallow organic soil but presently not in the deep area. The organic matter in the deep soil appears to be more resistant to oxidation than that in the shallow organic soil.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Soil Science, North Carolina Agr. Exp. Sta., Raleigh. Published with the approval of the Director of Research as Paper no. 2421 of the Journal Series.

² Research Assistant and Associate Prof., respectively. Senior author is presently Agricultural Development representative for DuPont de Nemours.

Received for publication June 5, 1967. Accepted for publication February 14, 1968.