LOCATION RAMITA TXEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, active, hyperthermic Typic Natraqualfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Ramita loamy fine sand--on a southeast facing, 1 percent slope in rangeland at an elevation of 5 meters (17 ft). (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated.)
A1--0 to 10 cm (0 to 4 in); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) fine sand, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; soft, very friable; 5 percent very fine and fine roots; 2 percent very fine and fine pores; SAR is 5; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
A2--10 to 28 cm (4 to 11 in); light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) fine sand, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; soft, very friable; 5 percent very fine and fine roots; 2 percent very fine and fine pores; 2 percent fine faint dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) masses of iron accumulation; SAR is 3; moderately acid; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the A horizons is 8 to 48 cm [3 to 19 in].)
E--28 to 38 cm (11 to 15 in); gray (10YR 6/1) fine sand, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure parting to weak fine granular; soft, very friable; 4 percent very fine and fine roots; 5 percent very fine and fine pores; 3 percent fine distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation along pore linings and roots; SAR is 7; moderately acid; very abrupt smooth boundary. (Thickness of the E horizon is 0 to 23 cm [0 to 9 in].)
Btn1--38 to 56 cm (15 to 22 in); grayish brown (10YR 5/2) fine sandy loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist; strong coarse columnar structure parting to moderate fine and medium angular blocky; extremely hard, firm; 4 percent very fine and fine roots; 5 percent very fine and fine pores; 4 percent fine faint clay films on surfaces of peds; common fine very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) organic stains on surfaces of peds and pore linings; 7 percent fine distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) and 4 percent faint yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation along ped surfaces and root channels; moderately sodic; SAR is 19; neutral; clear smooth boundary.
Btn2--56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in); grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) sandy clay loam, dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) moist; strong coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium angular blocky; very hard, firm; 5 percent very fine and fine roots; 4 percent very fine and fine pores; 5 percent fine distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; common fine dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) organic stains; 4 percent fine and medium iron-manganese masses and concretions; 1 percent fine calcium carbonate nodules; 7 percent fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and 4 percent fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly sodic; SAR is 33; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary.
Btn3--76 to 112 cm (30 to 44 in); light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) sandy clay loam, grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) moist; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate fine and medium angular blocky; very hard, firm; 5 percent very fine and fine roots; 5 percent very fine and fine pores; 5 percent fine distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 7 percent fine and medium iron-manganese concretions and masses; 2 percent fine calcium carbonate nodules; 7 percent fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and 3 percent fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation; moderately saline; strongly sodic; SAR is 34; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the Btn horizons is 30 to 135 cm [12 to 53 in].)
Btny--112 to 140 cm (44 to 55 in); pale yellow (2.5Y 7/3) sandy clay loam, light yellowish brown (2.5Y 6/3) moist; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine and medium angular blocky; hard, friable; 5 percent fine faint clay films on surfaces of peds; 4 percent fine iron-manganese concentrations; 2 percent fine calcium carbonate nodules and masses; 3 percent fine gypsum crystals; 8 percent fine and medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) masses of iron accumulation; strongly saline; strongly sodic; SAR is 40; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (Thickness of the Btny horizons is 0 to 46 cm [0 to 18 in].)
2Btkny1--140 to 173 cm (55 to 68 in); pale yellow (5Y 8/2) sandy clay loam, light gray (5Y 7/2) moist; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable; 4 percent very fine roots; 5 percent very fine and fine pores; 5 percent fine faint clay films; 12 percent fine and medium calcium carbonate nodules and masses; 4 percent fine gypsum crystals; 7 percent fine and medium prominent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; strongly saline; strongly sodic; SAR is 43; moderately alkaline; gradual smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the 2Btkny horizons is 0 to 107 cm [0 to 42 in].)
2Btkny2--173 to 203 cm (68 to 80 in); pale yellow (5Y 8/2) sandy clay loam, pale yellow (5Y 8/2) moist; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable; 3 percent very fine and fine roots; 5 percent very fine and fine pores; 3 percent fine faint clay films; 10 percent medium calcium carbonate nodules and masses; 2 percent fine gypsum crystals; 2 percent fine prominent olive (5Y 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; SAR is 43; strongly saline; strongly sodic; moderately alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION: Kenedy County, Texas; from the intersection of La Parra Avenue and U.S. Highway 77 in Sarita; 30.15 miles south on U.S. Highway 77 to the ranch gate of the Norias Division of the King Ranch; 3.25 miles east on paved ranch road to ranch road; 1,900 feet north on ranch road along fence line to trail; 750 feet west along trail; 100 feet north in rangeland. Saltillo Well, Texas USGS topographic quadrangle. Latitude: 26 degrees, 47 minutes, 27.2 seconds N.; Longitude: 97 degrees, 43 minutes, 52.4 seconds W.; NAD 83.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Soil Moisture: An aquic soil moisture regime bordering on udic. The soil moisture control section is dry in some or all parts for less than 120 cumulative days in normal years. November through April are the driest months, with a second low in July, while September is the wettest. Although rainfall amounts are that of an ustic moisture regime, the effective precipitation is higher because the soil is in a water receiving position. A water table is present in most pedons at depths of 30 to 91 cm (12 to 36 in) in most years from November through April. This is due to reduced evapotranspiration levels and the lateral flow of water through the soil after the heaviest rainfall month of September.
Depth to natric horizon: 10 to 46 cm (4 to 18 in)
Depth to secondary calcium carbonate: 76 to 203 cm (30 to more than 80 in)
Depth to redox concentrations: 10 to 46 cm (4 to 18 in)
Depth to redox depletions or reduced matrix: 10 to 89 cm (4 to 35 in)
Depth to episaturation: 31 to 91 cm (12 to 36 in), in most years, from November to April.
Particle-size control section (weighted average)
Clay content: 18 to 28 percent
Sand content: 65 to 74 percent
CEC/clay ratio: .40 to .60
A horizon
Hue: 10YR
Value: 4 to 6
Chroma: 2 or 3
Texture: fine sand or loamy fine sand
Clay content: 2 to 10 percent
Redox concentrations: amount- none to common, size- fine, contrast- faint or distinct, and boundary- clear or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 0 to 2
SAR: 3 to 10
Reaction: strongly acid to neutral
E horizon
Hue: 10YR
Value: 5 to 7
Chroma: 2 or 3
Texture: fine sand or loamy fine sand
Clay content: 2 to 10 percent
Redox concentrations: amount- none to common, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint or distinct, boundary- clear or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 0 to 2
SAR: 3 to 10
Reaction: moderately acid to neutral
Some pedons do not have E horizons.
Btn1 horizon
Hue: 10YR or 2.5Y
Value: 3 to 6
Chroma: 1 or 2
Texture: fine sandy loam or sandy clay loam
Clay content: 16 to 25 percent
Redox concentrations: amount- few to many, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint to prominent, boundary- clear or distinct.
Redox depletions: amount- none to common, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint or distinct, boundary- clear or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 0 to 4
SAR: 6 to 23
Reaction: neutral to moderately alkaline
Btn2 horizon
Hue: 10YR or 2.5Y
Value: 5 to 7
Chroma: 1 or 2
Texture: sandy clay loam
Clay content: 20 to 28 percent
Redox concentrations: amount- few to many, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint to prominent, boundary- clear or distinct.
Redox depletions: amount- none to common, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint, boundary- clear or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 0 to 8
SAR: 13 to 35
Reaction: neutral to strongly alkaline
Lower Btn horizon
Hue: 10YR to 5Y
Value: 6 to 8
Chroma: 1 to 3
Texture: sandy clay loam
Clay content: 20 to 28 percent
Redox concentrations: amount-few to many, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint to prominent, boundary- clear or distinct.
Redox depletions: amount- none to many, size- fine or medium, boundary- faint or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 4 to 10
SAR: 13 to 56
Reaction: slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline
Few to many masses and nodules of calcium carbonate and gypsum crystals.
2Btkn or 2Btkny horizon
Hue: 10YR to 5Y
Value: 6 to 8
Chroma: 2 or 3
Texture: sandy clay loam
Clay content: 20 to 35 percent
Redox concentrations: amount- few to many, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint to prominent, boundary- clear or distinct.
Redox depletions: amount- none to common, size- fine or medium, contrast- faint or distinct, boundary- clear or distinct.
EC (dS/m): 8 to 20
SAR: 30 to 60
Reaction: slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline
There are a few to many, masses and nodules of calcium carbonate, gypsum, and other salts.
COMPETING SERIES: These is the
Dietrich (TX) series in the same family. Similar soils are the
Jarron (TX),
Narta (TX),
Palobia (TX),
Quiteria, (TX),
Sauz (TX), and
Willamar (TX) series.
Dietrich soils: have more than 25 percent clay in the upper Bt, are in areas with more than 711 mm (28 in) of rainfall, and are on the
Ingleside barrier island system of late Pleistocene age
Jarron and Narta soils: are in a fine particle size family
Palobia soils: are dry in the soil moisture control section for longer periods
Quiteria and Sauz soils: are in a coarse-loamy particle size family
Willamar soils: have a thinner and sandier surface and have more than 25 percent clay in the upper Bt horizon
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:
Parent material: eolian sands of Holocene age deposited over loamy Quaternary age alluvium
Landform: vegetated sandsheet
Slope: 0 to 2 percent
Mean annual air temperature: 22 to 23 degrees C (72 to 74 degrees F)
Mean annual precipitation: 635 to 711 mm (25 to 28 in)
Frost-free period: 300 to 341 days
Elevation: 3 to 17 m (10 to 55 ft)
Thornthwaite annual P-E indices: 31 to 44
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the
Bordas,
Quiteria,
Padrones,
Palobia,
Saucel, and
Sauz series.
Quiteria and Palobia soils: are on slightly higher landscapes
Padrones soils: have sandy surfaces thicker than 102 cm (20 in) and are on similar positions
Saucel and Sauz soils: are in a coarse-loamy particle size family and are in blowouts between dunes
Bordas soils: do not have a natric horizon and are in depressions
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Poorly drained; moderately slow permeability. Runoff is low on slopes less than 1 percent and medium on 1 to 2 percent slopes.
USE AND VEGETATION: Used for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Vegetation consists of gulf cordgrass, seashore saltgrass, bushy sea-oxeye, purple lovegrass, seacoast bluestem, sacaton, and annuals. The ecological site is Salty Prairie, PE 31 to 44 (R083EY710TX)
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Sandsheet Prairie (MLRA 83E in LRR I) in southern Texas. The series is of moderate extent.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Temple, Texas
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Kenedy County, Texas, 2007. The name Ramita comes from a pasture in Kenedy County.
REMARKS: These soils were formerly included in the Sauz series. The Ramita series are separated based on the higher clay content of the argillic horizons.
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Particle size control section: 38 to 89 cm (15 to 35 inches). (Btn1, Btn2, and Btn3 horizons)
Ochric epipedon: 0 to 38 cm (0 to 15 in). (A and E horizons)
Albic horizon: 28 to 38 cm (11 to 15 in). (E horizon)
Natric horizon: 38 to 203 cm (15 to 80 in). (Btn, Btny, Btkny horizons)
Redoximorphic concentrations: 10 to 203 cm (4 to 80 in). (A2, E, Btn, Btny, and Btkny horizons)
Lithologic discontinuity: 140 to 203 cm (55 to 80 in.) (2Btkny horizons) Data shows the lithologic discontinuity is weakly expressed. Very fine to fine sand ration shows a significant decrease at 95 cm.
Episaturation: 31 to 91 cm (12 to 36 in), in most years from November to April.
Abrupt textural change: At 38 cm (15 in). (between E and Btn1 horizons)
The assignment of the cation-exchange activity class is supported by laboratory data number S00TX-261-002 from Kenedy County, Texas.
ADDITIONAL DATA: TAMU data from Kenedy County, TX (S00TX-261-002)
TAXONOMIC VERSION: Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Tenth Edition, 2006