LOCATION CHAPETT MNEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Alfic Argiudolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Chapett fine sandy loam, on a southwest facing, convex, 3 percent slope in a cultivated field at an elevation of 1210 feet MSL. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated).
Ap--0 to 8 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) fine sandy loam; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; friable; few fine roots; 2 percent gravel; neutral; abrupt smooth boundary. (7 to 10 inches thick).
Bt1--8 to 13 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) sandy clay loam; moderate medium prismatic structure parting to weak medium subangular blocky; friable; few fine roots; many light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sand and silt coatings on ped faces when dry; common faint dark brown (10YR 3/3) clay films on ped exteriors; 4 percent gravel; slightly acid; gradual irregular boundary.
Bt2--13 to 19 inches; dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) sandy clay loam; moderate medium prismatic structure parting to weak medium subangular blocky; friable; few fine roots; common faint dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4) clay films on ped exteriors; 4 percent gravel; neutral; gradual wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of the Bt horizons ranges from 6 to 16 inches).
Bk--19 to 30 inches; light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) fine sandy loam; weak thin platy structure; friable; common prominent light gray (10YR 7/2) carbonate threads and masses; 8 percent gravel; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 15 inches thick).
BCk--30 to 60 inches; light olive brown (2.5Y 5/4) fine sandy loam; moderate coarse prismatic parting to moderate medium platy soil fragments; friable; few prominent light gray (10YR 7/2) carbonate threads and masses; 10 percent gravel; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary.
C--60 to 80 inches; light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/3) fine sandy loam; moderate coarse prismatic parting to moderate coarse platy soil fragments; firm; common discontinuous distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) iron stains on fractures; common medium distinct light gray (10YR 7/2) carbonate coats on faces of fragments; 8 percent gravel; strongly effervescent; moderately alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Polk County, Minnesota, about 6 miles south and 2 miles east of Mentor; 1820 feet east and 2220 feet north of the southwest corner of section 29, T. 148 N., R. 43 W; USGS Halverson Lake, MN topographic quadrangle; latitude 47 degrees 36 minutes 23 seconds N and longitude 96 degrees 9 minutes 57 seconds W.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to the base of the argillic or to free carbonates is 14 to 22 inches, but ranges to 28 inches. The mollic epipedon ranges from 7 to 10 inches in thickness. Rock fragments of mixed lithology make up 2 to 10 percent by volume of the profile. The soil moisture control section is not dry in all parts for as long as 45 consecutive days for the 120 days following the summer solstice. It is also not dry in any part for as long as 90 cumulative days per year in 6 out 10 years.
The A horizon has hue of 10YR, 2.5Y or is neutral, value of 2 or 3 moist and chroma of 0 to 2 moist. It is typically fine sandy loam, but includes loam and sandy loam. The clay content averages between 8 and 20 percent, with a sand content of 45 to 65 percent. The reaction is slightly acid or neutral.
Some pedons have a thin E or BE horizon.
The Bt horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 or 5 moist, and chroma of 3 to 6 moist. Clean silt and sand grains occur on over 50 percent of ped faces in the upper part. It is typically sandy clay loam, but the range includes fine sandy loam, loam and sandy loam. The non-carbonate clay content averages between 18 and 27 percent, with a sand content of 45 to 65 percent. The reaction is slightly acid or neutral.
Some pedons have a Btk horizon.
The Bk or BCk horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6 moist, and chroma of 3 to 6 moist. It is fine sandy loam, loam or sandy loam. The non-carbonate clay content averages between 10 and 18 percent, with a sand content of 45 to 65 percent. Carbonate threads and masses are common to many. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.
The C horizon has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 4 to 6 moist, and chroma of 3 to 6 moist. Typically it is fine sandy loam but included are loam and sandy loam. The non-carbonate clay content averages between 8 and 18 percent, with a sand content of 45 to 65 percent. Carbonate coatings are few to many on geo-genetic fracture faces. Reaction is mildly alkaline or moderately alkaline.
COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Chapett soils are on convex slopes on ground and end moraines associated with the Wadena Lobe of the Late Wisconsinan glaciation. Slope gradients range from 1 to 40 percent. Mean annual air temperature ranges from 38 to 44 degrees F, and mean annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 27 inches. Frost-free days range from 90 to 130. Elevation ranges from 1000 to 1950 feet above sea level.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Brandsvold, Esmond, and Knute soils. The well drained Esmond soils on convex knolls and steep sideslopes. The moderately well drained Knute soils are on flats and less sloping areas. The poorly drained Brandsvold soils are in concave swales and drainways. Several organic soils are associated in closed depressions.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Surface runoff is medium to very rapid. Permeability is moderate.
USE AND VEGETATION: Most areas are cropped to small grain, corn, soybeans and hay. Some areas are in woodland or pasture. Native vegetation is mixed hardwoods and prairie grasses.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Northwest and West-central Minnesota. Moderately extensive.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: St. Paul, Minnesota
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Mahnomen County, Minnesota, 1992.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized are: Mollic epipedon - from the surface to a depth of 8 inches (Ap), Argillic horizon - the zone from 8 to 19 inches (Bt), Calcic horizon - the zone from 19 to 30 inches (Bk), Boralfic subgroup - based on grainy coats on ped faces in the upper part of the argillic horizon, Udic moisture regime.
ADDITIONAL DATA: Refer to Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station CFC numbers 3692, 3960 and 3948 for representative pedons. Soil Interpretation Record number MN0573.