VIRGIN HARDWOOD FOREST SOILS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS .2. WEATHERING, MINERALOGY, AND CHEMICAL-PROPERTIES

Eight undisturbed soils derived from feldspathic meta-sediments in the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest were studied. Gibbsite was common throughout all soils, and increased in abundance in the clay fraction with depth. The clay content in most soils decreased with depth, with intergrade 2:1 type minerals occurring as the dominant phyllosilicates in surface horizons. Kaolinite was low in all soils, but was more abundant in south-facing soils. Gibbsite abundance was not aspect dependent. The silt fractions contained appreciable quantities of weathered 2:1 type minerals similar in type to the clays. These soils have weathered in a wet ( greater than 200 cm precipitation) temperate environment and resemble some tropical soils. Erosion could severely damage the natural productivity of these soils. The addition of oxidic mineralogy classes to certain Inceptisol families is recommended.