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Classification of the Soils (SS of Dade, Florida)

The system of soil classification used by the National Cooperative Soil Survey has six categories (19). Beginning with the broadest, these categories are the order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family, and series. Classification is based on soil properties observed in the field or inferred from those observations or on laboratory measurements. Table 12 shows the classification of the soils in the survey area. The categories are defined in the following paragraphs.

ORDER. Eleven soil orders are recognized. The differences among orders reflect the dominant soil-forming processes and the degree of soil formation. Each order is identified by a word ending in sol. An example is Entisol.

SUBORDER. Each order is divided into suborders, primarily on the basis of properties that influence soil genesis and are important to plant growth or properties that reflect the most important variables within the orders. The last syllable in the name of a suborder indicates the order. An example is Aquent (Aqu, meaning water, plus ent, from Entisol).

GREAT GROUP. Each suborder is divided into great groups on the basis of close similarities in kind, arrangement, and degree of development of pedogenic horizons; soil moisture and temperature regimes; and base status. Each great group is identified by the name of a suborder and by a prefix that indicates a property of the soil. An example is Psammaquents (Psamm, meaning sandy texture, plus aquent, the suborder of the Entisols that has an aquic moisture regime).

SUBGROUP. Each great group has a typic subgroup. Other subgroups are intergrades or extragrades. The typic is the central concept of the great group; it is not necessarily the most extensive. Intergrades are transitions to other orders, suborders, or great groups. Extragrades have some properties that are not representative of the great group but do not indicate transitions to any other known kind of soil. Each subgroup is identified by one or more adjectives preceding the name of the great group. The adjective Typic identifies the subgroup that typifies the great group. An example is Typic Psammaquents.

FAMILY. Families are established within a subgroup on the basis of physical and chemical properties and other characteristics that affect management. Generally, the properties are those of horizons below plow depth where there is much biological activity. Among the properties and characteristics considered are particle-size class, mineral content, temperature regime, depth of the root zone, consistence, moisture equivalent, slope, and permanent cracks. A family name consists of the name of a subgroup preceded by terms that indicate soil properties. An example is siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Psammaquents.

SERIES. The series consists of soils that have similar horizons in their profile. The horizons are similar in color, texture, structure, reaction, consistence, mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in the profile. There can be some variation in the texture of the surface layer or of the substratum within a series.

Soil Series and Their Morphology

In this section, each soil series recognized in the survey area is described. The descriptions are arranged in alphabetic order.

Characteristics of the soil and the material in which it formed are identified for each series. The soil is compared with similar soils and with nearby soils of other series. A pedon, a small three-dimensional area of soil, that is typical of the series in the survey area is described. The detailed description of each soil horizon follows standards in the "Soil Survey Manual" (21). Many of the technical terms used in the descriptions are defined in "Soil Taxonomy". Unless otherwise stated, colors in the descriptions are for moist soil. Following the pedon description is the range of important characteristics of the soils in the series.

The map units of each soil series are described in the section "Detailed Soil Map Units."

Basinger series
Biscayne series
Canaveral series
Cardsound series
Chekika series
Dade series
Dania series
Demory series
Hallandale series
Kesson series
Krome series
Lauderhill series
Margate series
Matecumbe series
Opalocka series
Pahokee series
Pennsuco series
Perrine series
Plantation series
Pomello series
St. Augustine series
Tamiami series
Terra Ceia series
Vizcaya series

Basinger Series

Soils of the Basinger series are siliceous, hyperthermic Spodic Psammaquents. They are very deep, poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick beds of sandy marine sediments. These soils are in sloughs and depressions. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Basinger soils are closely associated with Dade, Pomello, and Plantation soils. Dade soils are well drained. They have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Pomello soils are moderately well drained. Plantation soils have a histic epipedon and have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches.

Typical pedon of Basinger fine sand, approximately 700 feet south of the Snapper Creek Canal and 200 feet west of Douglas Road (NW. 37th Avenue); 300 feet north and 200 feet west of the southeast corner of sec. 31, T. 51 S., R. 41 E.

A—0 to 6 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; many fine and very fine roots; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

E—6 to 30 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; common fine and very fine roots; slightly acid; gradual wavy boundary.

B/E—30 to 50 inches; brown (7.5YR 5/4) and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand; common medium distinct very dark gray (10YR 3/1) streaks along root channels; single grained; loose; few very fine roots; moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.

C—50 to 80 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; moderately acid.

The sandy material is more than 80 inches thick.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1. It is 3 to 6 inches thick. Reaction is slightly acid to strongly acid. In some pedons a thin layer of muck overlies the A horizon.

The E horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 7 or 8, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is 24 to 30 inches thick. Reaction is slightly acid to strongly acid. The texture is fine sand or sand. In some pedons a transitional E/B horizon is between the E and B/E horizons.

The B part of the B/E horizon has hue of 7.5YR and has value of 4 and chroma of 2 or value of 5 and chroma of 4, or it has hue of 5YR, value of 3, and chroma of 4. The E part of this horizon is 15 to 20 inches thick. Reaction is strongly acid or moderately acid. The texture is fine sand or sand. In some pedons a Bh horizon is beneath the B/E horizon. The Bh horizon has colors similar to those of the B part of the B/E horizon.

The C horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 6, and chroma of 2 or 3. Reaction is strongly acid or moderately acid. The texture is fine sand or sand.

Biscayne Series

Soils of the Biscayne series are loamy, carbonatic, hyperthermic, shallow Typic Fluvaquents. They are shallow or very shallow, poorly drained or very poorly drained, moderately permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in calcareous, silty recent sediments of marine or freshwater origin. These soils are on broad, low coastal flats and in freshwater marshes and sloughs. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Biscayne soils are closely associated with Chekika, Dania, Hallandale, Krome, Lauderhill, Pennsuco, Perrine, and Tamiami soils. Chekika and Krome soils contain more than 35 percent gravel, by volume, have less than 50 percent silt in the fine-earth fraction, and are better drained than the Biscayne soils. Dania, Lauderhill, and Tamiami soils consist dominantly of organic material. Hallandale soils formed in sandy material. Pennsuco soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of more than 40 inches. Perrine soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches.

Typical pedon of Biscayne marl, in a freshwater marsh approximately 0.25 mile south of North Canal and 700 feet west of a power line; 1,500 feet south and 2,100 feet west of the northeast corner of sec. 27, T. 57 S., R. 39 E.

Ap—0 to 5 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium granular structure parting to weak fine granular; very friable; few very fine and fine continuous pores; few fine roots; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; clear smooth boundary.

Cg1—5 to 9 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium angular blocky structure; friable; few fine continuous pores; few fine roots; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg2—9 to 15 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium angular blocky structure; friable; few fine continuous pores; common fine roots; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—15 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 1 to 20 inches. Gravel-sized limestone fragments make up less than 35 percent of the whole soil volume. The soils are nonsaline to moderately saline. In many pedons some or all horizons have whole snail shells and shell fragments 2 millimeters to 3 centimeters in diameter. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline in the A and C horizons.

The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 3 to 6, and chroma of 3 or less and in some pedons has light brownish gray or light gray mottles. It is 1 to 12 inches thick. Where matrix values are 3.5 or less, the horizon is less than 7 inches thick or is less than 4 inches thick if it directly overlies limestone bedrock. A thin layer of organic material overlies the A horizon in some pedons. The calcium carbonate equivalent ranges from 70 to nearly 100 percent. The A horizon is marl that has a texture of silt loam or gravelly silt loam. The content of limestone fragments in rock-plowed or mechanically scarified areas is dominantly 15 to 25 percent, by volume, but ranges to 35 percent. The fragments range from 2 millimeters to 7.5 centimeters in diameter. Rock outcrops interrupt the A horizon in some pedons.

The Cg horizon, if it occurs, generally has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 3 or less and in some pedons has streaks and pockets with hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 3 or less. It is 2 to 12 inches thick. This horizon is dominantly marl that has a texture of silt or silt loam. In some pedons it has pockets and lenses of black or very dark brown sapric material. A thin, discontinuous layer of noncalcareous silt loam, mucky silt loam, or silty clay loam with value of 2 or 3 and chroma of 3 or less is within or below the Cg horizon in some pedons. The calcium carbonate equivalent in the Cg horizon ranges from 80 to nearly 100 percent.

The 2R horizon is hard, porous, oolitic limestone that has a smooth or irregular surface. In many pedons it has solution holes several inches to several feet wide and as much as 3 feet deep.

Canaveral Series

Soils of the Canaveral series are hyperthermic, uncoated Aquic Quartzipsamments. They are very deep, moderately well drained, very rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick beds of sandy marine sediments and shell fragments. Slopes are 0 to 3 percent.

Canaveral soils are closely associated with Beaches and with St. Augustine soils. St. Augustine soils formed in sandy dredged material that has loamy pockets and lenses. They are moderately well drained.

Typical pedon of Canaveral sand, approximately 2,300 feet east and 900 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 28, T. 54 S., R. 42 E., in Crandon County Park:

A—0 to 4 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) sand; single grained; loose; about 10 percent multicolored shell fragments, by volume; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary.

C1—4 to 50 inches; pale brown (10YR 6/3) sand; single grained; loose; about 20 percent multicolored shell fragments, by volume; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary.

C2—50 to 80 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sand; single grained; loose; about 25 percent multicolored shell fragments, by volume; moderately alkaline.

The sandy material is more than 80 inches thick. Reaction ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline throughout the profile. Shell fragments, which are in all horizons, range from 2 millimeters to 2 centimeters in diameter.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2 to 4, and chroma of 1 to 3. It is 4 to 8 inches thick. The content of shell fragments ranges from about 5 to 10 percent, by volume.

The C horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 to 4. The texture is sand or fine sand. The content of shell fragments ranges from about 10 to 35 percent, by volume.

Cardsound Series

Soils of the Cardsound series are loamy, mixed (calcareous), hyperthermic Lithic Udorthents. They are very shallow, well drained, moderately slowly permeable soils underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. They formed in loamy marine sediments and organic material that overlie limestone or are in shallow solution holes within the limestone. These soils are dominantly in natural areas on the Pineland Ridge. Slopes are smooth and are 0 to 2 percent.

Cardsound soils are closely associated with Krome soils. Krome soils have been rock-plowed and are used for crops.

Typical pedon of Cardsound silty clay loam, in an area of Cardsound-Rock outcrop complex, 2,000 feet north and 1,200 feet east of the southwest corner of sec. 26, T. 38 E., R. 57 S.

A—0 to 4 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) silty clay loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; about 12 percent limestone gravel; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; many fine and medium roots; abrupt irregular boundary.

R—4 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock is 2 to 8 inches. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral in the A and C horizons.

The A horizon has hue of 5YR, 7.5YR, or 10YR and has value of 3 and chroma of 4 or value of 4 and chroma of 3 to 6. The content of limestone fragments is dominantly less than 15 percent, by volume. The fragments range from 2 millimeters to 25 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter.

The C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 7.5YR or 5YR, value of 4, and chroma of 4 to 6. The texture is silty clay loam or silty clay. This horizon is noneffervescent.

Chekika Series

Soils of the Chekika series are loamy-skeletal, carbonatic, hyperthermic Lithic Udorthents. They are very shallow, somewhat poorly drained, moderately permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed through scarification of oolitic limestone outcrops and marly sediments that partially cover the limestone and fill the many cavities or solution holes. These soils are adjacent to the Miami Ridge. Slopes are smooth and are 0 to 2 percent.

Chekika soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Krome, Cardsound, Matecumbe, Opalocka, Pennsuco, and Perrine soils. Biscayne, Pennsuco, and Perrine soils consist of limnic material (marl) and are very poorly drained or poorly drained. Biscayne soils have less than 35 percent gravel. Pennsuco and Perrine soils are nongravelly. Pennsuco soils are more than 40 inches deep over limestone bedrock. Perrine soils are 20 to 40 inches deep over limestone bedrock. Krome and Cardsound soils are well drained or somewhat excessively drained. They have dry value of less than 5.5. Cardsound and Opalocka soils are in unscarified areas of the pine woods. They are mapped in complexes with Rock outcrop. Matecumbe soils are nongravelly, very shallow, and organic. They are underlain by limestone bedrock.

Typical pedon of Chekika very gravelly loam, 500 feet east of canal C-111; 800 feet west and 200 feet north of the southeast corner of sec. 6, T. 57 S., R. 38 E.

Ap—0 to 5 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) very gravelly loam, gray (10YR 6/1) dry; weak fine granular structure; very friable; about 45 percent limestone gravel; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

R—5 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 2 to 10 inches.

The Ap horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 1 to 3 when moist. It has hue of 10YR, value of 6 or 7, and chroma of 1 or 2 when dry. The content of limestone fragments is dominantly 35 to 60 percent, by volume. The fragments range from 2 millimeters to 7.5 centimeters in diameter. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.

The C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value of 2 to 4, and chroma of 1 to 4. The texture is silt loam or silty clay loam. The material in solution holes is noneffervescent. Some of the solution holes have dark gray or very dark gray pockets of silty clay loam or silty clay in root channels.

Dade Series

Soils of the Dade series are hyperthermic, uncoated Spodic Quartzipsamments. They are moderately deep, well drained, very rapidly permeable, mineral soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in moderately thick beds of sandy marine sediments. These soils are on broad, low hills on the Miami Ridge. Slopes are smooth and are less than 2 percent.

Dade soils are closely associated with Basinger, Biscayne, Opalocka, Pomello, Plantation, and Terra Ceia soils. Basinger soils are poorly drained. Biscayne soils consist of limnic material (marl) and are poorly drained. Opalocka soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. They are mapped in a complex with Rock outcrop. Pomello soils are moderately well drained and do not have limestone bedrock within a depth of 80 inches. Plantation soils have an organic surface layer that is 8 to 16 inches thick and are poorly drained. Terra Ceia soils consist of organic material and are very poorly drained.

Typical pedon of Dade fine sand, approximately 2,100 feet east and 400 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 31, T. 51 S., R. 42 E., in an abandoned pasture:

A—0 to 6 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; common fine and very fine roots; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary.

E—6 to 24 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; common fine and very fine roots; moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.

Bh—24 to 27 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; common very fine roots; mildly alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

Cr—27 inches; soft, porous limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches. It varies considerably within short distances. Solution holes are at a depth of more than 60 inches in some pedons.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR and has value of 3 or 4 and chroma of 2 or less or value of 5 and chroma of 1. It is 3 to 8 inches thick. Reaction ranges from moderately acid to mildly alkaline.

The E horizon has hue of 10YR and has value of 6 and chroma of 3 or less, value of 7 and chroma of 2 or less, or value of 8 and chroma of 1. It is 10 to 36 inches thick. Reaction ranges from moderately acid to mildly alkaline. The texture is fine sand or sand.

The Bh horizon has hue of 5YR and value and chroma of 3; hue of 7.5YR, value of 3, and chroma of 2; hue of 10YR, value of 3, and chroma of 2; or hue of 10YR, value of 4, and chroma of 2 to 4. It is 2 to 12 inches thick. Reaction ranges from slightly acid to mildly alkaline. The texture is fine sand or sand. In some pedons this horizon is discontinuous because of the contour of the underlying limestone. In these pedons the horizon occurs as pockets or lenses of Bh material. The matrix material has the same texture as the overlying E horizon and is similar in color.

Dania Series

Soils of the Dania series are euic, hyperthermic, shallow Lithic Medisaprists. They very shallow or shallow, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable, organic soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in thin layers of highly decomposed hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains and may have layers of recent calcareous deposits that precipitated from fresh water. These soils are on the fringe of deeper organic soils in freshwater marshes. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Dania soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, Hallandale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pahokee, Plantation, and Tamiami soils. Biscayne soils formed in marl that has a texture of silt loam. Chekika soils are of mineral origin, have more than 35 percent gravel, by volume, and are better drained than the Dania soils. Hallandale and Margate soils are of mineral origin. Also, Margate soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Lauderhill soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 36 inches. Pahokee soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 36 to 51 inches. Plantation soils are dominantly sandy and have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Tamiami soils are 21 to 51 inches deep over bedrock.

Typical pedon of Dania muck, depressional, in a freshwater marsh approximately 0.5 mile north of Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41) and 0.75 mile west of SW. 137th Avenue; 0.25 mile east and 1,900 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 3, T. 54 S., R. 39 E.

Oa—0 to 15 inches; muck, black (10YR 2/1) rubbed and unrubbed; about 8 percent fiber, 2 percent rubbed; massive; nonsticky and nonplastic; many fine and very fine roots; common fine and very fine tubular pores; noneffervescent; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—15 inches; soft, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 8 to 20 inches. These soils can have one or more continuous layers of marl at any depth. The cumulative thickness of these layers is less than half of the total soil depth. Reaction is neutral in the Oa horizon and mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline in the marl.

The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2, and chroma of 2 or less. It is 8 to 20 inches thick. The content of fiber is less than 33 percent before rubbing and less than 5 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has hue of 10YR, value of 3, and chroma of 2.

The 2C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 7, and chroma of 3 or less. It is 2 to 4 inches thick. The calcium carbonate equivalent ranges from 70 to nearly 100 percent. Reaction is moderately alkaline.

Demory Series

Soils of the Demory series are loamy, siliceous, hyperthermic Lithic Haplaquolls. They are very shallow or shallow, poorly drained, moderately slowly permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in loamy marine sediments and organic material over limestone bedrock. These soils are on narrow, low hammocks in areas between organic soils and poorly drained, sandy soils. Slopes are smooth and are less than 2 percent.

Demory soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, Dania, and Hallandale soils. Biscayne and Dania soils are very poorly drained. Biscayne soils formed in limnic material (marl). Dania soils are organic. Chekika soils formed through mechanical scarification of limestone bedrock and are better drained than the Demory soils. Hallandale are light colored and sandy.

Typical pedon of Demory sandy clay loam, in an area of Demory-Rock outcrop complex, approximately 1,800 feet west and 100 feet south of the northeast corner of sec. 10, T. 54 S., R. 39 E.

A1—0 to 4 inches; very dark brown (10YR) sandy clay loam; moderate fine granular structure; friable; many fine and very fine roots; neutral; clear wavy boundary.

A2—4 to 7 inches; black (10YR 2/1) sandy clay loam; weak fine subangular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; common fine and very fine roots; many fine and very fine pores; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.

C—7 to 10 inches; very dark brown (10YR 3/3) sandy loam that has black (10YR 2/1) streaks in root old channels; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; few fine roots and pores; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—10 inches; hard, porous limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 3 to 20 inches.

The A1 horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is 1 to 9 inches thick. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral. The texture is sandy clay loam, loamy sand, or sandy loam.

The A2 horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma or 1 or 2. In some pedons it has mottles or streaks in shades of brown, black, or gray. It is 0 to 8 inches thick. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral.

The C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 6, and chroma of 2 to 4. It has mottles or streaks in shades of brown, black, or gray. It is 0 to 17 inches thick. Reaction ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline. The texture is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, or loamy fine sand.

The 2R horizon is hard, porous limestone that has a smooth or irregular surface. In some pedons a thin, discontinuous layer consisting of soft accumulations of calcium carbonate is directly over the bedrock.

Hallandale Series

Soils of the Hallandale series are siliceous, hyperthermic Lithic Psammaquents. They are very shallow or shallow, poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in thin beds of sandy marine sediments. These soils are on broad, low flats between the Everglades and the low, sandy coast ridge. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Hallandale soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Dania, Margate, and Plantation soils. Biscayne soils formed in limnic material (marl). Dania soils are organic. Margate soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of more than 20 inches. Plantation soils have a histic epipedon and have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches.

Typical pedon of Hallandale fine sand, in an area of improved pasture about 1.7 miles west of State Road 26 and 2.9 miles north of U.S. Highway 41; approximately 1,800 feet east and 2,500 feet north of the southwest corner of sec. 28, T. 53 S., R. 40 E.

A—0 to 4 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; many fine and very fine roots; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary.

E—4 to 12 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand that has common black (10YR 2/1) and very dark gray (10YR 3/1) streaks in root channels; single grained; loose; common fine and very fine roots; neutral; clear smooth boundary.

Bw—12 to 16 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sand; single grained; loose; mildly alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—16 inches; soft, porous limestone that has a smooth or irregular surface.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 7 to 20 inches.

The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1. It is 2 to 7 inches thick. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to neutral. A thin, continuous layer of organic material overlies the A horizon in some areas.

The E horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 2. It is 0 to 8 inches thick. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to neutral.

The Bw1 horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR, value or 5 to 7, and chroma of 3. It is 0 to 7 inches thick. The Bw2 horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR and value and chroma of 4. The Bw1 and Bw2 horizons range from moderately acid to moderately alkaline. They are fine sand.

The C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 10YR and has value of 4 and chroma of 2 or value of 5 and chroma of 2 or 3. Reaction is moderately acid. The texture is fine sand.

In some pedons the 2R horizon has solution holes several inches to several feet wide and as much as 3 feet deep. The soil material in the solution holes is fine sand, loamy fine sand, or the gravelly analogs of those textures. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline. Thin, discontinuous layers consisting of soft accumulations of calcium carbonate directly overlie the limestone.

Kesson Series

Soils of the Kesson series are siliceous, hyperthermic Typic Psammaquents. They are very deep, very poorly drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick deposits of sandy marine sediments and shell fragments. These soils are in tidal swamps and marshes. They are flooded twice daily. Slopes are 0 to 1 percent.

Kesson soils are closely associated with Beaches and with Canaveral and St. Augustine soils. Canaveral and St. Augustine soils are somewhat poorly drained and are in the higher landscape positions.

Typical pedon of Kesson muck, tidal, on Key Biscayne; approximately 1,900 feet west and 1,800 feet south of the northeast corner of sec. 32, T. 54 S., R. 42 E., in a mangrove swamp:

Oa—0 to 6 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; massive; nonsticky and nonplastic; less than 33 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; many very fine and fine roots; neutral; clear smooth boundary.

A—6 to 12 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) fine sand; many medium distinct black (10YR 2/1) mottles; single grained; loose; many very fine and fine roots; about 15 percent shell fragments; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; clear wavy boundary.

Cg1—12 to 33 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; many very fine and fine roots; about 15 percent shell fragments; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.

Cg2—33 to 80 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; common very fine and fine roots; about 10 percent shell fragments; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline.

Reaction is neutral to moderately alkaline throughout the profile. The soils are calcareous.

The Oa horizon, if it occurs, is less than 7 inches thick. It has hue of 10YR, value of 2, and chroma of 2 or less.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2 to 4, and chroma of 2 or less. It is 2 to 6 inches thick. The content of shell fragments ranges from 5 to 15 percent, by volume. The fragments are 2 millimeters to 4 centimeters in diameter.

The Cg horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 2 or less. The content of shell fragments ranges from 5 to 20 percent.

Krome Series

Soils of the Krome series are loamy-skeletal, carbonatic, hyperthermic Lithic Udorthents. They are very shallow, moderately well drained, moderately permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed through scarification of oolitic limestone outcrops and the loamy residuum that partially covers the limestone and fills the many cavities or solution holes. These soils are on broad, very low hills on the Miami Ridge. Slopes are dominantly 0 to 2 percent but range to 5 percent.

Krome soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, Cardsound, Matecumbe, Pennsuco, and Perrine soils. Biscayne, Pennsuco, and Perrine soils consist of limnic material (marl) and are very poorly drained or poorly drained. Biscayne soils have less than 35 percent gravel. Pennsuco and Perrine soils are nongravelly. Pennsuco soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of more than 40 inches. Perrine soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Chekika soils are somewhat poorly drained. They have dry value of more than 5.5. Cardsound soils are in unscarified areas of the pine woods. They are mapped in a complex with Rock outcrop. Matecumbe soils are organic and are very shallow over limestone bedrock.

Typical pedon of Krome very gravelly loam, 0.5 mile northeast of Homestead General Airport; 500 feet west and 100 feet south of the northeast corner of sec. 5, T. 57 S., R. 38 E.

Ap—0 to 7 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/3) very gravelly loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak medium granular structure; very friable; about 40 percent, by volume, hard limestone fragments 3 inches or less in diameter; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—7 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock is 3 to 9 inches.

The Ap horizon has hue of 10YR, 7.5YR, or 5YR, value of 3, and chroma of 2 or 3 when moist. It has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 or 3 when dry. The content of limestone fragments is dominantly 35 to 60 percent, by volume, but ranges to 70 percent. The fragments range from 2 millimeters to 7.5 centimeters in diameter. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.

The C horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 5YR and has value of 4 or 5 and chroma of 3 to 6 or value of 5 and chroma of 8, or it has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 3 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 8. The texture is silt loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, or silty clay. The material in solution holes is noneffervescent. Some of the solution holes have dark gray or very dark gray pockets of silty clay loam or silty clay in root channels.

Lauderhill Series

Soils of the Lauderhill series are euic, hyperthermic Lithic Medisaprists. They are moderately deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable, organic soils that formed in moderately thick beds of hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains. These soils are in large freshwater marshes. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Lauderhill soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Dania, Pahokee, Pennsuco, Perrine, Plantation, and Tamiami soils. Biscayne, Pennsuco, and Perrine soils consist of limnic material (marl). Biscayne and Dania soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. Pennsuco soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of more than 40 inches. Pahokee soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 36 to 51 inches. Plantation soils are sandy. Tamiami soils have one or more continuous layers of marl within the control section.

Typical pedon of Lauderhill muck, depressional, approximately 2 miles east of Tallahassee Road and 500 feet north of North Canal; lat. 25 degrees 27 minutes 50 seconds N. and long. 80 degrees 22 minutes 46 seconds W.

Oa1—0 to 7 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; about 15 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; brown (10YR 5/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; many fine and very fine roots; neutral (pH 7.0 in 0.01M CaCl2); gradual wavy boundary.

Oa2—7 to 30 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) muck; less than 15 percent fiber unrubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; brown (10YR 5/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; common very fine and fine roots; neutral (pH 6.9 in 0.01M CaCl2); abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—30 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The organic material ranges from 20 to 36 inches in thickness. Reaction ranges from 6.5 to 7.2 in 0.01M CaCl2.

The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2, and chroma of 1 or 2. The content of fiber is 15 to 30 percent before rubbing and less than 10 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has hue of 10YR or 5YR. It has value of 2 to 4 and chroma of 4 or less, value of 5 and chroma of 2 to 8, value of 6 and chroma of 3 to 8, or value of 7 and chroma of 4 to 8. In some pedons this horizon has discontinuous lenses or pockets of marl.

Margate Series

Soils of the Margate series are siliceous, hyperthermic Mollic Psammaquents. They are moderately deep, poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in moderately thick beds of sandy marine sediments. These soils are on low terraces between the Everglades and the low, sandy coastal ridge. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Margate soils are closely associated with Hallandale and Plantation soils. Hallandale soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. Plantation soils have a histic epipedon.

Typical pedon of Margate fine sand, in an area of pasture approximately 400 feet west of Red Road and 2,200 feet north of the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826); 400 feet west and 1,200 feet north of the southeast corner of sec. 12, T. 52 S., R. 40 E.

A—0 to 9 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; many fine and very fine roots; moderately acid; abrupt smooth boundary.

E—9 to 18 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand; few fine black (10YR 2/1) and very dark gray (10YR 3/1) streaks in root channels; single grained; loose; few fine and very fine roots; moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.

Bw1—18 to 28 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) fine sand; single grained; loose; few very fine roots; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary.

Bw2—28 to 36 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—36 inches; soft, porous limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches. In some pedons a thin horizon of gravel-sized, hard limestone fragments or soft accumulations of calcium carbonate overlies the limestone.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR or 5YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1. It is 5 to 10 inches thick. Reaction is moderately acid or slightly acid.

The E horizon has value of 6 or 7 and chroma of 2 or less. It is 8 to 15 inches thick. Reaction is moderately acid or slightly acid.

The Bw1 horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 2 or 3. It is 5 to 10 inches thick. Reaction is slightly acid to mildly alkaline.

The Bw2 horizon, if it occurs, has value of 4 or 5 and chroma of 2 to 4. It is 0 to 10 inches thick. Reaction is neutral or mildly alkaline.

The 2R horizon is soft, porous limestone that has a smooth or irregular surface. In some pedons it has solution holes several inches to several feet wide and as much as 3 feet deep.

Matecumbe Series

Soils of the Matecumbe series are euic, isohyperthermic Lithic Tropofolists. They are very shallow, moderately well drained, rapidly permeable, organic soils underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. These soils are on small tropical hardwood hammocks on the Miami Ridge and in the Everglades. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Matecumbe soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Cardsound, and Pennsuco soils. Biscayne soils consist of limnic material (marl) and are very poorly drained or poorly drained. Cardsound soils are in unscarified areas of the pine woods. They are mapped in a complex with Rock outcrop. Pennsuco soils consist of marl and are poorly drained or very poorly drained.

Typical pedon of Matecumbe muck, 2,300 feet west and 1,300 feet north of the southeast corner of sec. 30, T. 56 S., R. 39 E.

Oa—0 to 3; black (10YR 2/1) muck; about 25 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

R—3 inches; soft, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to bedrock is 2 to 5 inches. The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is moderately acid to neutral. The 2R horizon consists of soft coral or oolitic limestone. It has solution holes that contain silty clay loam, silty clay, or muck.

Opalocka Series

Soils of the Opalocka series are sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Lithic Udorthents. They are very shallow, well drained, very rapidly permeable, sandy soils underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. They formed in sandy marine sediments over oolitic limestone. These soils are dominantly in natural areas on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and the Pineland Ridge. Slopes are smooth and are 1 to 2 percent.

Opalocka soils are closely associated with Krome soils. Krome soils have been rock-plowed and are used for crops.

Typical pedon of Opalocka sand, in an area of Opalocka-Rock outcrop complex, 450 feet east and 1,300 feet south of the northwest corner of sec. 35, T. 56 S., R. 39 E.

A—0 to 6 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) sand; single grained; loose; about 10 percent, by volume, hard limestone fragments 3 inches or less in diameter; noneffervescent; neutral; many fine and medium roots; abrupt irregular boundary.

Cr—6 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to weathered limestone bedrock is 2 to 8 inches, but solution holes are as deep as 20 inches.

The A horizon has value of 4 to 6 and chroma of 1 to 8. It is slightly acid or neutral. The content of weathered limestone fragments less than 3 inches diameter is less than 15 percent, by volume.

The Cr horizon is light gray to brownish yellow, continuous, oolitic limestone. The surface is extremely pitted with solution holes. These holes range from less than 1 inch to about 10 inches in diameter. They are filled with sand or loamy sand residuum.

Pahokee Series

Soils of the Pahokee series are euic, hyperthermic Lithic Medisaprists. They are moderately deep or deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable, organic soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in moderately thick or thick beds of hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains. These soils are in large freshwater swamps and marshes. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Pahokee soils are closely associated with Dania, Lauderhill, and Tamiami soils and the tidal Terra Ceia soils. Dania soils are less than 20 inches deep over limestone bedrock. Lauderhill soils are 20 to 36 inches deep over limestone bedrock. Tamiami soils have one or more layers of marl within the control section. The tidal Terra Ceia soils are more than 51 inches deep over limestone bedrock and are saline.

Typical pedon of Pahokee muck, depressional, approximately 2,300 feet north and 200 feet east of the southwest corner of sec. 19, T. 53 S., R. 39 E.

Oa1—0 to 11 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; about 15 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sodium pyrophosphate extract; neutral (pH 7.3 in 0.01M CaCl2); gradual wavy boundary.

Oa2—11 to 46 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) muck; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; common very fine and fine roots; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sodium pyrophosphate extract; neutral (pH 7.3 in 0.01M CaCl2); abrupt irregular boundary.

R—46 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 36 to 51 inches. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral in 0.01M CaCl2.

The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR or 5YR, value of 2, and chroma of 1 or 2. The content of fiber is less than 20 percent before rubbing and less than 5 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has hue of 10YR and has value of 2 to 4 and chroma if 4 or less, value of 5 and chroma of 2 to 4, or value of 6 and chroma of 3 or 4. A thin layer of periphyton or marl overlies the Oa horizon in some pedons.

Pennsuco Series

Soils of the Pennsuco series are coarse-silty, carbonatic, hyperthermic Typic Fluvaquents. They are deep or very deep, poorly drained or very poorly drained, moderately slowly permeable soils underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. They formed in calcareous, silty recent sediments of marine or freshwater origin. These soils are on broad, low coastal flats and in marshes and sloughs. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Pennsuco soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, Krome, Lauderhill, Pahokee, Perrine, and Terra Ceia soils. Biscayne soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. Chekika and Krome soils have less than 50 percent silt in the fine-earth fraction, have limestone bedrock within a depth of 10 inches, and have more than 35 percent gravel. Lauderhill, Pahokee, and Terra Ceia soils are dominantly organic. Perrine soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches.

Typical pedon of Pennsuco marl, drained, in an area of cropland approximately 300 feet north of Mowry Drive and 1.5 miles west of Tallahassee Road; 300 feet north and 100 feet east of the center of sec. 16, T. 57 S., R. 39 E.

Ap—0 to 8 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium granular structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; few very fine and fine roots; about 15 percent shell fragments; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg1—8 to 27 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) marl that has a texture of silt loam; common fine light gray (10YR 7/2) mottles; moderate medium angular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many fine and medium continuous pores; few very fine and fine roots; about 15 percent shell fragments; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary.

Cg2—27 to 36 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; common fine and medium light gray (10YR 7/1) mottles; moderate medium angular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many fine and medium continuous pores; few very fine and fine roots; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary.

Cg3—36 to 44 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; common fine and medium light gray (10YR 7/1) mottles; moderate medium angular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; common fine and medium continuous pores; few very fine and fine roots; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary.

2Cr—44 inches; soft, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 40 to 80 inches. Many pedons have thin pockets and lenses in which organic matter has accumulated. In many pedons some or all horizons have snail shells and snail shell fragments. The soils are nonsaline to saline. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline in the A and C horizons.

The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 or less and in some pedons has fine faint gray and very pale brown pockets. It is 1 to 12 inches thick. Dry matrix values are 6 or 7. Where matrix values are 3.5 or less, the A horizon is less than 10 inches thick. In some areas as much as 8 inches of local soil material has been added to the original surface as a result of land leveling. The calcium carbonate equivalent ranges from 70 to nearly 100 percent. A thin layer of organic material overlies the A horizon in some pedons.

The Cg horizon generally has hue of 10YR to 5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 3 or less and in some pedons has pockets and lenses of silt loam, mucky silt loam, or muck with hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 3 or less. In some pedons the upper part of this horizon has few or common fine, high-chroma mottles.

The 2Cr horizon is soft, porous limestone that has a smooth or wavy surface. It has few or common solution holes.

Perrine Series

Soils of the Perrine series are coarse-silty, carbonatic, hyperthermic Typic Fluvaquents. They are moderately deep, poorly drained or very poorly drained, moderately slowly permeable soils underlain by limestone bedrock. They formed in calcareous, silty recent sediments of marine or freshwater origin. These soils are on broad, low coastal flats and in marshes and sloughs. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Perrine soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, Krome, Lauderhill, Pennsuco, and Tamiami soils. Biscayne soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. Chekika and Krome soils have less than 50 percent silt in the fine-earth fraction, have limestone bedrock within a depth of 10 inches, and have more than 35 percent gravel. Also, Krome soils are in the higher landscape positions. Lauderhill soils are dominantly organic. Pennsuco soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of more than 40 inches. Tamiami soils are organic.

Typical pedon of Perrine marl, drained, in an area of abandoned cropland (University of Florida Research Farm) 200 feet north of Canal Drive and 30 feet west of a field road; lat. 25 degrees 27 minutes 51 seconds N. and long. 80 degrees 22 minutes 23 seconds W.

Ap—0 to 11 inches; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium granular structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; few very fine and fine continuous pores; many very fine and fine and few medium roots; about 14 percent shell fragments; moderately alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg1—11 to 16 inches; light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) marl that has a texture of silt loam; common fine and medium grayish brown (10YR 5/2) vertical streaks; moderate medium angular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine continuous pores; common very fine and fine and few medium roots; about 13 percent shell fragments; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary.

Cg2—16 to 26 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) marl that has a texture of silt loam; many coarse grayish brown (10YR 5/2) horizontal layers; moderate medium angular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; common very fine, fine, and medium roots; about 10 percent shell fragments; moderately alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Cr—26 inches; soft, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches.

The A or Ap horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 6, and chroma of 2 or less. It has value of 6 or more when dry. Where matrix values are 3.5 or less, the A horizon is less than 10 inches thick. A thin layer of organic material overlies the A horizon in some pedons.

The Cg horizon generally has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 3 or less and in some pedons has mottles or stains in shades of gray, brown, or yellow. This horizon is 7 to 15 inches thick. Some pedons have continuous layers of calcareous or noncalcareous silt loam, mucky silt loam, or silty clay loam. Value of 2 or 3 and chroma of 2 or less can occur within the Cg horizon or directly above the limestone. The layers having these colors are 5 inches or less thick.

The 2Cr horizon is soft, porous limestone that has a smooth or irregular surface.

Plantation Series

Soils of the Plantation series are sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Histic Humaquepts. They are moderately deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable soils that formed in thin beds of hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains and are underlain by sandy marine sediments and limestone bedrock. These soils are in or at the edge of large marshes and swamps. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Plantation soils are closely associated with Dania, Hallandale, Lauderhill, and Margate soils and with Udorthents and Urban land. Dania and Lauderhill soils are organic. Dania and Hallandale soils have limestone bedrock within a depth of 20 inches. Hallandale and Margate soils do not have an organic surface layer that is 8 or more inches thick. Udorthents consist of extremely gravelly fill material derived from excavated areas. In areas of Urban land, more than 60 percent of the surface is covered by concrete and buildings.

Typical pedon of Plantation muck, about 0.5 mile west of State Road 826 and 2.5 miles south of the Dade-Broward County line; approximately 1,800 feet west and 2,800 feet south of the northeast corner of sec. 15, T. 52 S., R. 40 E.

Oa1—0 to 6 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; about 15 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many fine roots; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) sodium pyrophosphate extract; moderately acid (pH 6.0 in 0.01M CaCl2); gradual wavy boundary.

Oa2—6 to 14 inches; dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) muck; about 5 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 5 percent rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; common fine roots; dark brown or brown (10YR 4/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; neutral (pH 6.8 in 0.01M CaCl2); abrupt smooth boundary.

A—14 to 21 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) fine sand; single grained; loose; few fine roots; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary.

C1—21 to 28 inches; light gray (10YR 7/1) fine sand; single grained; loose; neutral; gradual wavy boundary.

C2—28 to 30 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) very gravelly fine sand; single grained; loose; about 40 percent limestone fragments; moderately alkaline; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—30 inches; soft, porous limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 20 to 40 inches. The organic material is 8 to 16 inches thick. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to neutral in the Oa horizon and from strongly acid to moderately alkaline in the A and C horizons.

The Oa1 horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2, and chroma of 1. The content of fiber is less than 15 percent before rubbing and less than 5 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has hue of 10YR and has value of 2 to 4 and chroma of 4 or less, value of 5 and chroma of 2 to 4, or value of 6 and chroma of 3 or 4.

The Oa2 horizon, if it occurs, has hue of 5YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 2. The content of fiber is less than 33 percent before rubbing and less than 5 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has the same colors as that in the Oa1 horizon.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 3 or 4, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is 5 to 9 inches thick.

The C1 horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 3 or less. The C2 horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 3. The C1 and C2 horizons are sand or fine sand.

Pomello Series

Soils of the Pomello series are sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Haplohumods. They are very deep, moderately well drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick beds of sandy marine sediments. These soils are on moderately high hills on the Miami Ridge. Slopes are smooth and are 0 to 2 percent.

Pomello soils are closely associated with Basinger, Dade, and Margate soils. Basinger and Margate soils are poorly drained. Dade and Margate soils have limestone bedrock at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Dade soils are well drained.

Typical pedon of Pomello sand, about 0.5 mile north of Miami Gardens Drive and 0.5 mile west of State Road 817; 2,500 feet east and 2,900 feet north of the southwest corner of sec. 4, T. 52 S., R. 41 E., in an abandoned pasture:

Ap—0 to 5 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) sand; single grained; loose; common very fine and fine roots; moderately acid; clear smooth boundary.

E1—5 to 15 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) sand; single grained; loose; common very fine and fine roots; moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.

E2—15 to 35 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sand; single grained; loose; common medium dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) streaks and pockets; common very fine roots; moderately acid; abrupt wavy boundary.

Bh1—35 to 55 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) sand; single grained; loose; common medium dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) streaks and pockets; moderately acid; gradual wavy boundary.

Bh2—55 to 76 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) sand; single grained; loose; common medium brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) streaks and pockets; moderately acid; clear wavy boundary.

BC—76 to 80 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) sand; single grained; loose; slightly acid.

The solum ranges from 40 to more than 80 inches in thickness. It is sand or fine sand throughout. It ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 1 or 2. It is 2 to 6 inches thick. The E horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 6 to 8, and chroma of 1 or 2. The combined thickness of the A and E horizons ranges from 40 to 50 inches.

The Bh horizon generally has hue of 10YR to 5YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 to 3. In some pedons, however, it has pockets or lenses with hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 6, and chroma of 3 to 6.

The BC horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7, and chroma of 2 to 8. The C horizon, if it occurs, has colors similar to those of the BC horizon.

St. Augustine Series

Soils of the St. Augustine series are sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Alfic Udarents. They are very deep, somewhat poorly drained, moderately rapidly permeable soils that formed in thick beds of sandy dredged material. They consist of sandy material containing loamy fragments and fragments of shells. These soils are along the Atlantic Coast. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

St. Augustine soils are closely associated with Beaches.

Typical pedon of St. Augustine sand, approximately 2,200 feet south and 500 feet east of the northwest corner of sec. 9, T. 55 S., R. 42 E., in Bill Boggs Cape Florida State Recreational Area:

A—0 to 3 inches; dark brown (10YR 3/2) sand; single grained; loose; less than 5 percent, by volume, shell fragments; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.

C1—3 to 29 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) sand; single grained; loose; about 10 percent, by volume, shell fragments; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.

C2—29 to 51 inches; gray (10YR 5/1) sand that has common fine brown (10YR 5/2) lenses of silt loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; nonsticky and nonplastic; about 35 percent, by volume, shell fragments; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary.

Cg1—51 to 57 inches; light gray (10YR 7/2) and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sand that has few fine gray (10YR 5/1) lenses of silt loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; nonsticky and nonplastic; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.

Cg2—57 to 80 inches; gray (5Y 5/1) sand; single grained; loose; mildly alkaline.

The depth to limestone bedrock is more than 80 inches. Shells and shell fragments in all horizons are sand sized to 5 centimeters in diameter.

The A horizon is 2 to 3 inches thick. The content of shell fragments is less than 5 percent, by volume. This horizon is moderately effervescent in 10 percent hydrochloric acid. It is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.

The C1 and C2 horizons generally have hue of 10YR, value of 5 to 7, and chroma of 1 to 3 and in some pedons have lenses of marly silt loam in shades of brown or gray. The C1 horizon is 18 to 26 inches thick, and the C2 horizon is 6 to 22 inches thick. The content of shell fragments ranges from 20 to 35 percent, by volume.

The Cg horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 6 or 7, and chroma of 2 or hue of 5YR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 1. It is more than 29 inches thick. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.

Tamiami Series

Soils of the Tamiami series are euic, hyperthermic Lithic Medisaprists. They are moderately deep or deep, very poorly drained soils that formed in moderately thick beds of hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains and water-deposited, silt-sized carbonates (marl). They are underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. They are rapidly permeable in the sapric layers and moderately permeable in the layers of marl. These soils are in large freshwater marshes. Slopes are less than 2 percent.

Tamiami soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Dania, Lauderhill, Pahokee, and Perrine soils. Biscayne and Perrine soils are dominantly marl. Biscayne and Dania soils are less than 20 inches deep over limestone bedrock. Lauderhill and Pahokee soils do not have layers of marl within the control section.

Typical pedon of Tamiami muck, depressional, approximately 500 feet west of Krome Avenue and 3,000 feet south of Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41); lat. 25 degrees 45 minutes 9 seconds N. and long. 80 degrees 27 minutes 57 seconds W.

Oa—0 to 4 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; less than 5 percent fiber rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg—4 to 12 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) marl that has a texture of silt loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine roots; common fine pores; about 15 percent whole shells and shell fragments as much as 5 centimeters in diameter; strongly effervescent; mildly alkaline; abrupt smooth boundary.

O'a—12 to 31 inches; very dark gray (5YR 3/1) muck; less than 5 percent fiber rubbed; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; few fine roots; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

R—31 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 21 to 51 inches. The soils can have one or more Cg horizons at any depth. The combined thickness of these horizons is less than half of the control section.

The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 1 or 2. The content of fiber is less than 33 percent before rubbing and less than 5 percent after rubbing. A thin layer of periphyton or marl overlies the Oa horizon in some pedons.

The Cg horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 5 to 7, and chroma of 2 or less. It is 6 to 12 inches thick. It may contain as much as 20 percent whole shells or shell fragments. The calcium carbonate equivalent ranges from 80 to nearly 100 percent.

Terra Ceia Series

Soils of the Terra Ceia series are euic, hyperthermic Typic Medisaprists. They are very deep, very poorly drained, rapidly permeable, organic soils that formed in thick beds of hydrophytic, nonwoody plant remains. These soils are in narrow saltwater swamps and marshes along the coast. They typically are flooded twice daily. Slopes are less than 1 percent.

Terra Ceia soils are closely associated with Pahokee soils, the tidal Pennsuco soils, and the tidal Perrine soils. Pahokee soils are 36 to 51 inches deep over limestone bedrock and are in freshwater swamps and marshes. The tidal Pennsuco and Perrine soils formed in mineral material. Also, the tidal Perrine soils are 20 to 40 inches deep over limestone bedrock.

Typical pedon of Terra Ceia muck, tidal, about 5.5 miles east of Card Sound Road and 6.0 miles south of Palm Drive; approximately 700 feet north and 100 feet west of the southeast corner of sec. 28, T. 58 S., R. 40 E.

Oa1—0 to 8 inches; very dark brown (10YR 2/2) muck; about 30 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 10 percent rubbed; massive; nonsticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine and common medium roots; pale brown (10YR 6/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; mildly alkaline (pH 8.0 in 0.01M CaCl2); gradual smooth boundary.

Oa2—8 to 24 inches; black (10YR 2/1) muck; about 35 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 10 percent rubbed; massive; nonsticky and nonplastic; many very fine and fine and common medium roots; pale brown (10YR 6/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; mildly alkaline (pH 7.8 in 0.01M CaCl2); gradual wavy boundary.

Oa3—24 to 80 inches; black (10YR 2/2) muck; about 35 percent fiber unrubbed, less than 10 percent rubbed; massive; nonsticky and nonplastic; few fine roots; pale brown (10YR 6/3) sodium pyrophosphate extract; mildly alkaline.

The organic material ranges from 51 to 80 inches in thickness. Reaction ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline throughout the profile.

The Oa horizon has hue of 10YR or 5YR, value of 2, and chroma of 1 or 2. The content of fiber is less than 33 percent before rubbing and less than 10 percent after rubbing. The sodium pyrophosphate extract has hue of 10YR. It has value of 2 to 4 and chroma of 4 or less, value of 5 and chroma of 2 to 8, value of 6 and chroma of 3 to 8, or value of 7 and chroma of 4 to 8. A thin layer of periphyton or marl overlies the Oa horizon in some pedons.

Vizcaya Series

Soils of the Vizcaya series are clayey, mixed, hyperthermic Lithic Haplaquolls. They are very shallow or shallow, very poorly drained, slowly permeable, mineral soils underlain by oolitic limestone bedrock. They formed in thin beds of loamy and clayey marine sediments. These soils are in broad, low freshwater marshes in the Everglades. Slopes are 0 to 2 percent.

Vizcaya soils are closely associated with Biscayne, Chekika, and Dania soils and with Rock Outcrop. Biscayne soils consist of limnic material (marl). Chekika soils are very gravelly. Dania soils are organic.

Typical pedon of Vizcaya mucky silt loam, in an area of Rock outcrop-Vizcaya-Biscayne complex, approximately 7,700 feet west and 2,000 feet north of an entrance road to Chekika Park; lat. 25 degrees 37 minutes 19 seconds N. and long. 80 degrees 35 minutes 56 seconds W.

A—0 to 6 inches; very dark gray (10YR 3/1) mucky silt loam; moderate medium granular structure; slightly sticky and nonplastic; about 20 percent snail shell fragments; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary.

C—6 to 15 inches; black (10YR 2/1) clay; massive; slightly sticky and nonplastic; about 10 percent snail shell fragments; neutral; abrupt irregular boundary.

2R—15 inches; hard, porous, oolitic limestone.

The depth to limestone bedrock ranges from 4 to 20 inches. Reaction is neutral or mildly alkaline in the A and C horizons.

The A horizon has hue of 10YR and value and chroma of 3 or less when moist. It has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 or 3 when dry. A thin layer of periphyton or marl overlies the A horizon in some pedons.

The C horizon has hue of 10YR and value and chroma of 3 or less when moist. It has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 2 or 3 when dry. The texture is clay, sandy clay, or sandy clay loam.

In many pedons the 2R horizon has solution holes several inches to several feet wide and as much as 3 feet deep.

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