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| Current Projects: Carbon sesquestration in Marshes Ι Soil Judging |
| Past Projects: Marlboro Clays Ι Sediment Source Identification Ι Nutrient Transport in Drainage Ditches |
Mitchell Scott completed a Master of Science degree in 2005. His thesis title was "Mapping and Characterization of the Marlboro Clay formation."
Thesis abstract
The Marlboro Clay is a late Paleocene/early Eocene geologic formation that outcrops in significant portions of Prince George's County, Maryland. The formation exhibits slope instability and is unsuitable for most building structures. In this study, we describe and characterize the mineralogical and shrink-swell properties of soils formed in Marlboro Clay regolith. Samples were collected from 2 pits, 7 deep cores, and 38 1-m surface auger borings, 5 of which were collected at the same site as the deep cores. Potential volume change (PVC), particle-size, and pH were analyzed on all samples. X-ray diffraction scans were performed on selected samples. Mineralogical analysis indicated that the clay fractions of surficial samples were from approximately 10 to 50% smectite. However, swell index values of the PVC analysis were generally moderate for soil samples (most samples below 18,000 kg m-2). Deep cores generally had greater swell index values (mean 21,205 kg m-2) than did surficial samples, indicating that pedogenesis reduces the shrink-swell capacity of these soils. Dry pH values were low in all samples, with a minimum of 2.7, indicating sufficient infilling of sulfide-bearing glauconitic sediments from underlying and overlying formations to cause sulfuricization upon oxidation. Pedogenesis of Marlboro Clay materials reduces their shrink-swell potential, though these soils may still be problematic for slope instability and construction due to low permeability.
Journal Articles
Scott, M.L., and B.A. Needelman. Utilizing water well logs for soil parent mapping in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Soil Science. (In press)
Scott, M.L., B.A. Needelman, and M.C. Rabenhorst. 2007. Morphology and characterization of soils formed in Marlboro Clay regolith. Soil Science. 172:233-241.
SAWGAL Director - Dr. Brian Needelman - Office 301-405-8227 - Lab 301-405-1309 – bneed@umd.edu Website Administrator - Raymond C. Crew - Office 301-405-1309 - rcrew@umd.edu Last updated 12/03/2008 9:10 AM |