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Soil Pit

Digging soil pits is a great way to get a hands on understanding of soil horizons in the areas we live, work and play. This soil pit was dug in a mixed coniferous and deciduous forest near a stream behind several UVM buildings on Trinity campus

Soil Pit map

This map highlights the location of the soil pit in the woods behind Farrel Hall

*no E horizon was visible

Soil Pit Photo

This phot shows the different soil horizons marked with a measuring tape. The pit is 63cm deep with the most clear horizon distinction being between the A and B horizons. No E horizon is visible.

The lowest layers of the soil were likely glacial deposits (till) based on the unsorted grain size and the grey color of the grains. I did not reach bedrock digging this pit and based on the location (river terrace near a small drainage, it is likely possible that there was much more surficial material before the bedrock. Above the B and C horizons was a very sharp line between the A/B horizons. The A layer was likely formed since the retreat of the glaciers since it involves significant organics. One indication that this may have been human disturbed is the very sharp designation about 30cm down that could be the result of plowing. However, this was in a flat area surrounded be steeper slopes of the drainage basin, making it less likely that it was farmed. Due to its urban location, it is almost certain that this was cleared at some point, leading to disturbed soil though it is unclear if it was tilled and farmed.

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