Differences%20in%20soil%20organic%20matter%20and%20soil%20texture%20in%20newly%20constructed%20experimental%20wetlands

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Differences in soil organic matter and soil
texture in newly constructed experimental
wetlands
Catherine Bodnar Sam Merrett Becca Brooke
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EDIC Wetland Project
1 No Planting
2 Low Intensity Planting
3 High Intensity Planting
4 No Planting
5 Low Intensity Planting
6 High Intensity Planting
The objective of the EDIC study is to determine
which of three planting treatments best restores
function in constructed wetlands
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Study Objectives

• Collect baseline data on SOM and texture to
  assess future effects of treatments
• Determine how construction affected SOM and
  texture

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The Importance of Texture and Soil Organic Matter
Both soil texture and soil organic matter are
important to other soil properties and can be a
good indicator of how an ecosystem is functioning
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Methods Sample Collection
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A
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D
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F
G
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• 6 wetland cells
• 225 Ft. X 115 Ft.
• Data set 1
• SOM Green Xs
• 12 samples/cell
• 36 cores/cell
• Texture yellow circles
• 4 samples/cell
• 12 cores/cell
• Data set 2
• SOM Black Oval
• 5 samples/cell
• 15 cores/cell

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5
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Methods Sample Analyses

• Texture
• Removed 50 g from oven-dried sample
• Mixed in blender to separate soil particles
• Took hydrometer readings to estimate percentages
  of sand, silt, and clay

• Soil Organic Matter
• Hammered baked soil for
• further homogenization
• Weighed soil and crucible
• Incinerated at 400ºC
• Used difference in weight of soil before
  and after incineration to estimate percent SOM

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Soil Texture Results
SAND

• statistical difference in silt and clay , not
  in sand
• East to West gradient

SILT
CLAY
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Statistical difference between cells East to
west SOM gradient
SOM Results
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SOM and Texture Distribution
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2
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5
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East Group
West Group
There IS a statistically significant difference
for SOM, Silt and Clay between the western and
eastern groups, and NOT among group members
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Implications
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2
5
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SOM and Silt
No Planting
Low Intensity Planting
High Intensity Planting
Clay??
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4
2
5
3
6
No Planting
Low Intensity Planting
High Intensity Planting
Researchers will have to consider There is
statistical difference between some
replicates Measured variables effect other soil
properties
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Wetland Construction Didnt Change Measured
Variables
Sabel et. al. (SOM)
Soil Survey Data (texture)
MkA Mahoning-Tiro silt loam TrA Trumball
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Special Thanks To

• John Petersen
• Brad Masi
• Josh Smith