Soil Classification: Subordinate Designations (Suffix Symbols)

t

translocation and accumulation of clay (B horizons commonly)

k or kk

accumulation of CaCO3 (B horizons commonly), kk=CaCO3>50%

n

accumulation of exchangeable sodium (typically columnar structure)

ss

presence of slickensides (high shrink swell eg. montmorillonite, smectite)

h

illuvial accumulation of SOM (only w/ B horizons), SOM is in the form of OM-sesquioxide complexes

s

illuvial accumulation of sesquioxides and SOM (only w/ B horizons)

q

accumulation of pedogenic silica (usually B horizons)

m

induration or cementation from pedogenisis (B horizons)

w

weak subsoil development (B horizons), only use this if there is nothing else for B

r

soft or weathered rock (C horizons only)

i

slightly decomposed SOM (O horizons only), can see plant parts

e

moderately decomposed SOM (O horizons)

a

highly decomposed SOM (O horizons), can’t tell pieces/parts apart

p

plowed (usually A horizons), usually platy structure

b

burial

g

strong gleying (neutral chromas), reducing conditions

u

presence of human artifacts