Proposed Official Subaqueous Series for MO-12

Pishagqua - Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, mesic Typic Sulfaquents (Lagoon Bottoms, low energy basins, 100 plus cm of highly fluid silts (organic silts).
Anguilla - Sandy, mixed, mesic Haplic Sulfaquents (sandy marine deposits over outwash)
Napatree -Coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Aeric Endoaquents (submerged terrestrial soils with a capping of sandy marine deposits)
Pequot - Mixed, mesic Typic Psammaquents (formed in sandy marine deposits)
Rhodesfolly - Sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Fluvaquents (sandy marine deposits with multiple buried horizons)
Wamphassuc - Coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Haplic Sulfaquents (loamy marine deposits underlain by organic material)
Wequetequock - Coarse-loamy, mixed, active, nonacid, mesic Typic Sulfaquents (loamy marine deposits underlain by organic material)

Demas - Siliceous, mesic Typic Psammaquents
Southpoint - Fine-silty, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Thapto-histic Sulfaquents (Silty terrestrial tidal marsh sediments underlain by paleo-terrestrial organic deposits)
Sinepuxent - Coarse-loamy, siliceous, subactive, nonacid, mesic Typic Sulfaquents (Mixed dredge spoil materials)
Whittington - Siliceous, mesic Typic Psammaquents (Barrier island washover sediments)
Tizzard - Sandy over loamy, aniso, siliceous, subactive, nonacid, mesic Sulfic Fluvaquents (Barrier island washover sediments overlying loamy paleo-terrestrial tidal marsh deposits).

ANGUILLA SERIES
The Anguilla series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged in areas adjacent to the mainland that forms a cove or embayment within the larger basin. The Anguilla soils are formed in sandy marine deposits over outwash. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TYPICAL PEDON: Anguilla mucky sand on a permanently submerged 2 percent slope, under 113 centimeters of strongly saline water (46 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 22.1 degrees Celsius, and water clarity of greater than 110 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil.)

Ag—0 to 10 cm; black (N 2.5/0) mucky sand; single grain; very fluid; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.0); ultra acid (final pH 3.4 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

ACg—10 to 40 cm; very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) mucky sand; single grain; very fluid; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.1); ultra acid (final pH 3.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of A and AC horizons is 30 to 50 cm)

Bwb—40 to 100 cm; olive brown (2.5Y 4/4) loamy sand; few fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation; single grain; slightly fluid; 20 percent fibers; 5 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; no sulphurous odor; 5 percent gravels; neutral (initial pH 7.0); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (60 to 100 cm thick)

2Cb—100 to 150 cm; very dark grayish brown (2.5Y 3/2) very gravelly coarse sand; single grain; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; 50 percent gravels; neutral (initial pH 7.0); strongly acid (final pH 5.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 550 feet south of the intersection of Island Road and the Providence and Worcester Rail Road and 685 feet north from the intersection of where Island Road encounters Goat Island in a cove, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 20 minutes 45.4 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 53 minutes 27.1 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of neutral. The A and AC horizons have pH of ultra acid or extremely acid after 8 weeks. The B and C horizons have a pH of very strongly acid to moderately acid after 8 weeks. Sulfidic materials occur within 50 centimeters of the soil surface, a layer at least 1 centimeter thick with a pH value of 4.0 or less within 8 weeks of incubation. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The A horizon has hue of 5Y, 10Y, or N, value of 2.5 moist, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist. It is sandy loam, mucky sand, or sand. Consistence is very fluid. It averages 5 to 15 percent organic matter. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 20 percent, rubbed to 0 percent. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are present. Redoximorphic features are present.

The AC horizon has hue of 5Y, 10Y, or N, value of 2.5 to 3 moist, and chroma of 0 to 2 moist. It is fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, sand, or coarse sand. Consistence is very fluid. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic material are present.

The B horizon has hue of 5Y or 2.5Y, value of 2.5 to 5 moist, and chroma of 3 or 4 moist. It is loamy sand, sand, or coarse sand. Consistence is slightly fluid or nonfluid. It averages 0 to 10 percent gravel. No sulphurous odor is present.

The 2C horizon has hue of 5Y or 2.5Y, value of 2.5 to 4 moist, and chroma of 2 or 3 moist. It is loamy sand, sand, coarse sand, or gravelly or very gravelly analogs. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 55 percent gravel. No sulphurous odor is present.

COMPETING SERIES: This is the Nagunt(T) series. Nagunt soils are on back barrier flats in salt ponds. The series is poorly defined.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Anguilla soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in areas adjacent to the mainland that forms a cove or embayment within the larger basin. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. The soils formed in sandy marine sediments over outwash and can be found from 0 to 2.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock(T), Wamphassuc(T), Rhodesfolly(T), Napatree(T), Quanaduck(T), and Pequot(T) soils. The Wequetequock soils are coarse-silty soils formed in marine sediments interbedded with sand over drowned organic salt marsh deposits on submerged stream valleys. The Wamphassuc soils are coarse-loamy soils formed in loamy marine sediments on submerged stream valleys. The Rhodesfolly soils are sandy soils formed in sandy marine deposits with multiple buried horizons on washover fans and the Napatree soils are coarse-loamy soils with a capping of sandy marine deposits formed on submerged headlands. The Quanaduck soils are coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal soils formed on submerged inland bay coves. The Pequot soils are sandy soils with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Very poorly drained, peraquic soil moisture regime, and high saturated hydraulic conductivity. Soil is permanently submerged with salt or brackish water. The presence of sulfidic material within 50 centimeters of the soil surface puts these soils at risk for acid sulfate drainage if they are dredged and exposed to the air.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for human recreation and benthic habitats as a source for food, shelter, and other essential life support.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged inland bay coves in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are not extensive; their total extent is about XX hectares.

SERIES PROPOSED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Anguilla located in Stonington, Connecticut.

1. Peraquic feature - Positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface. (under 113 cm of salt water)
2. Particle-size control section – The zone from 25 to 100 cm (Part of the ACg, Bwb, and part of the 2Cb horizons).
3. Sulfidic materials – within 100 cm of the mineral soil surface (the Ag and ACg horizons).
4. Development of color - the zone from 40 to 100 cm demonstrates development of color with no illuvial accumulation of material (Bwb horizon). It is not a cambic horizon because it lacks texture finer than loamy fine sand.
5. Buried soil feature – The surface mantle, from the soil surface to 40 cm, is at least half the thickness of developed horizon (the Bwb horizon).
6. Gleyed horizons – The zone from 0 to 40 cm (Ag and ACg horizons).
7. Lithologic discontinuity – contrasting soil materials at 100 cm (the 2Cb horizon).
8. Using the Wassents suborder this soil classifies as a mixed, mesic, Sulfic Psammowassents.

NAPATREE SERIES
The Napatree series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged in bouldery, glacial deposits adjacent to uplands. The Napatree soils are formed in submerged terrestrial soils with a capping of sandy marine deposits. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Aeric Endoaquents.

TYPICAL PEDON: Napatree sand on a bouldery 2 percent slope, in a submerged glacial deposit adjacent to glaciated uplands under 61 centimeters of strongly saline water (44 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, and water clarity greater than 100 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil.)

A—0 to 20 cm; black (N 2.5/0) sand; single grain; nonfluid; many fine distinct olive brown (2.5Y 4/4) iron accumulations; 10 percent gravels; 5 percent shell fragments; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 6.9); very strongly acid (final pH 5.0 after 8 weeks); clear smooth boundary. (15 to 30 cm thick)

C1—20 to 32 cm; olive brown (2.5Y 4/3) loamy sand; single grain; nonfluid; 10 percent gravels; no sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 6.9); moderately acid (final pH 6.0 after 8 weeks); clear smooth boundary.

C2—32 to 45 cm; olive brown (2.5Y 4/3) gravelly sandy loam; massive; nonfluid; common fine faint olive brown (2.5Y 4/4) masses of iron accumulation; 18 percent gravels; no sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.2); very strongly acid (final pH 6.2 after 8 weeks); abrupt smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the C horizons is 20 to 35 cm thick).

2Cgb1—45 to 58 cm; dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) silt loam; massive; nonfluid; many fine distinct gray (5Y 5/1) iron depletions; no sulphurous odor; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.4); neutral (final pH 6.8 after 8 weeks); clear smooth boundary.

2Cgb2—58 to 65 cm; gray (5Y 5/1) silt; massive; nonfluid; common fine distinct light olive brown (5Y 5/4) iron accumulations; no sulphurous odor; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.4); neutral (final pH 6.8 after 8 weeks); abrupt smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the 2Cgb horizons is 10 to 50 cm thick).

3Cgb—65 to 160 cm; dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) loamy sand; single grain; nonfluid; 40 percent gravels; no sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.2); neutral (final pH 6.9 after 8 weeks).

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 4910 feet southeast of the Barn Island boat launch and 7260 feet southwest of the intersection of Green Haven Road and Osbrook Point Road, just south of Perch Island, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 19 minutes 59 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 51 minutes 90 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged except for some of the surface boulders that are exposed to the air during low tides. All horizons have an initial pH of moderately acid through slightly alkaline and a pH of extremely acid through neutral after 8 weeks. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The A horizon has hue of N, 10Y, 5GY, 5Y, or 10YR, value of 2.5 or 3 moist, and chroma of 0 to 2 moist. It is mucky fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loamy coarse sand, sand or coarse sand. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 10 percent gravels and 0 to 10 percent shell fragments. Sulphurous odor may or may not be present. Redoximorphic features are present.

The C horizon has hue of N, 10Y, 2.5Y, or 5Y, value of 4 to 6 moist, and chroma of 3 or 4 moist. It is very fine sandy loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, or gravelly or very gravelly analogs. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 40 percent gravel. Redoximorphic features are present.

The 2Cgb horizons have hues of 10YR, 2.5Y or 5Y, value of 4 moist, and chroma of 0 or 2 moist. It is silt or silt loam. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 2 percent gravel. Redoximorphic features are present.

The 3Cgb horizons have hues of 10YR, 2.5Y or 5Y, value of 4 moist, and chroma of 0 or 2 moist. It is loamy sand, sand, coarse sand, or gravelly analogs. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 50 percent gravel.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Napatree soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in bouldery glacial deposits adjacent to glaciated uplands with numerous boulders and stones. The surface boulders are often exposed to the air at low tides. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The soils formed in submerged terrestrial soils with a capping of sandy marine deposits and can be found from 0 to 1.5 meters deep under water. The potential for submarine fresh ground water discharge zones are high given the geomorphic position and high to very high saturated hydraulic conductivity. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock(T), Wamphassuc(T), Rhodesfolly(T), Quanaduck(T), Anguilla(T), and Pequot(T) soils. The Wequetequock soils are coarse-silty soils formed in marine sediments interbedded with sand over drowned organic salt marsh deposits on submerged stream valleys. The Wamphassuc soils are coarse-loamy soils formed in loamy marine sediments on submerged stream valleys. The Rhodesfolly soils are sandy soils formed in sandy marine deposits with multiple buried horizons on washover fans and the Quanaduck soils are coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal soils formed on submerged inland bay coves. The Anguilla soils are sandy soils formed in sandy marine deposits over outwash on submerged inland bay coves. The Pequot soils are sandy soils with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Very poorly drained, peraquic soil moisture regime, and high to very high saturated hydraulic conductivity. Soil is permanently submerged with salt or brackish water.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation and wildlife habitat. Shellfish cultivation, which includes lobsters, hard-clams, and oysters, is very important in these soils. Aquaculture in Connecticut has for the last 150 years traditionally harvested native set shellfish from the bottom. Connecticut's oysters are among the most valued oysters reared in the United States.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged terrestrial soils with a capping of marine deposits in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are of small extent.

SERIES PROPOSED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Napatree Point, located in Rhode Island.

REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features in this pedon include:
1. Peraquic feature - Positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface. (under 61 cm of salt water)
2. Particle-size control section – The zone from 25 to 100 cm (part of C1, C2, 2Cgb1, 2Cgb2, and part of 3Cgb horizons).
3. Aeric feature – Chroma of 3 in the zone from 20 to 45 cm (the C1 and C2 horizons).
4. Lithologic discontinuity – Contrasting soil materials at 45 cm and 65 cm (the 2Cgb1, 2Cgb2, and 3Cgb horizons).
5. Buried horizons – The zone from 45 to 160 cm (the 2Cgb1, 2Cgb2, and 3Cgb horizons).
6. Gleyed horizons – The zone from 45 to 160 cm (the 2Cgb1, 2Cgb2, and 3Cgb horizons).
7. Using the Wassent suborder this soil classifies as a coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Aeric Haplowassents.

PEQUOT SERIES
The Pequot series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils on permanently submerged barrier island beaches. The Pequot soils are formed in sandy marine deposits. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TYPICAL PEDON: Pequot sand on a permanently submerged 2 percent slope, under 126 centimeters of strongly saline water (46 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, and water clarity of greater than 120 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)

Ag—0 to 13 cm; very dark gray (N 3/0) sand; white (5Y 8/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 2 percent rock fragments; 2 percent shell fragments; sulphurous odor; strongly alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 5.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg—13 to 20 cm; dark gray (5Y 4/1) gravelly coarse sand; light greenish gray (10Y 7/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 20 percent rock fragments; 20 percent mixed white and blue mussel shell fragments; sulphurous odor; strongly alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.8 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Agb—20 to 29 cm; black (N 2.5/0) sand; greenish gray (10Y 6/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 5 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; 2 percent rock fragments; 50 percent shell fragments; sulphurous odor; strongly alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg1—29 to 39 cm; very dark gray (2.5Y 3/1) coarse sand; greenish gray (10Y 6/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 5 percent rock fragments; 10 percent white mussel shell fragments; no sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.4); very strongly acid (final pH 4.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

Cg2—39 to 61 cm; gray (N 5/0) sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 2 percent rock fragments; 2 percent shell fragments; sulphurous odor; 10 percent gravels; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

Agb’—61 to 72 cm; very dark gray (2.5Y 3/1) sand; gray (N 6/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 3 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; 5 percent rock fragments; 20 percent soft shell clam fragments; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

Cg’—72 to 78 cm; dark gray (2.5Y 4/1) coarse sand; gray (N 6/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 5 percent rock fragments; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Agb—78 to 82 cm; very dark gray (2.5Y 3/1) very gravelly sand; gray (N 6/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; 40 percent rock fragments; 25 percent mussel shell fragments; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Agb—82 to 92 cm; greenish black (10Y 2.5/1) loamy fine sand; gray (5Y 5/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 2 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Cg—92 to 150 cm; dark gray (5Y 4/1) loamy fine sand; gray (5Y 6/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 8825 feet southeast from the intersection of the Providence and Worcester Railroad and Island Road, and 6900 feet southwest of Barn Island boat launch, south of Sandy Point, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 19 minutes 6.3 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 52 minutes 38.8 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of moderately alkaline or strongly alkaline and a pH of very strongly acid or strongly acid after 8 weeks incubation. Sulfidic materials are absent throughout the profile. Depth to first lithologic discontinuity ranges from 30 to 50 cm. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The Ag horizons if present have hue of N or 10Y moist, value of 3 or 4 moist, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist. Textures range from loamy sand to sand. Gravel content averages 0 to 10 percent. Sulphurous odor is present.

The Agb horizons have hue of N, 10Y or 2.5Y, value of 2.5 or 3, and chroma of 0 or 1. Textures range from loamy fine sand, sand, or coarse sand, or gravelly or very gravelly analogs. Gravel content averages 0 to 40 percent. Shell fragment content averages 0 to 50 percent. Herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 10 percent, rubbed 0 to 5 percent. Organic matter ranges from 5 to 15 percent. Sulphurous odor is present.

The Cg horizons have hue of 5Y, 2.5Y or N, value of 3 to 5, and chroma of 0 or 1. Textures include loamy fine sand, sand, or coarse sand, or gravelly analogs. Gravel content averages 0 to 25 percent. Shell fragment content averages 0 to 20 percent. Sulphurous odor may or may not be present.

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Arloval, Barren, Carrolls, Conrad, Dair, Forbar, Gothenburg, Jamaica, Junius, Norway, Stafford, Tihonet, Tryon, Tyre, Wanswer.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Pequot soils are permanently submerged with strongly saline water on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island that is sandy. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. The soils formed in sandy deposits with numerous buried horizons from catastrophic storm events that breeched the barrier island or spit. The landform is nearly level to gently sloping with steeper edges leading into deeper waters. Dramatic changes can occur to this mapping unit over time resulting from severe storm events. Wave action and strong currents promote the formation of these soils. These soils can be found from 0 to 2.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock(T), Wamphassuc(T), Rhodesfolly(T), Quanaduck(T), Napatree(T), and Anguilla(T) soils. Wequetequock and Wamphassuc soils are in submerged stream valleys and do not have a contrasting family particle-size control section. Rhodesfolly soils are in washover fans and submerged barrier island beach landforms and do not have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface. Quanaduck soils are in mainland cove landforms, have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface and have a contrasting particle-size class family of coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal. Napatree soils are in submerged headland landforms, have an Aeric subgroup, and do not have sulfidic materials. Anguilla soils are in mainland cove landforms and are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation and benthic wildlife habitat. Some areas are vegetated with native algae and eelgrass (Zostera marina). Vegetative cover ranges from 0 to 35 percent.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged barrier island beach in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are of small extent.

SERIES ESTABLISHED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from a local Native American tribe.

1. Peraquic feature - Positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface (under 126 cm of salt water).
2. Particle-size control section – The zone from 25 to 100 cm (part of the Agb, Cg1, Cg2, Agb’, Cg’, Agb, 2Agb, and part of 2Cg horizons).
3. Buried horizons – The horizons Agb, Agb’, Agb, 2Agb horizons.
4. Gleyed horizons – The zone from 0 to 150 cm (Ag, Cg, Agb, Cg1, Cg2, Agb’, Cg’, Agb, 2Agb, and 2Cg horizons).
5. Using the Wassents suborder this soil classifies as a mixed, mesic Fluventic Psammowassents.

ADDITIONAL DATA: Partial reference sample from S05RI0009007 Washington County, Rhode Island, by SSL, Lincoln, NE, 10/05.

LOCATION PISHAGQUA……. RI Tentative Series

JDT, MPB, MS

10/2006

PISHAGQUA SERIES

The Pishagqua series consists of very deep, subaquic soils that are permanently submerged in low energy depositional basins in estuaries and coastal lagoons. The Pishagqua soils formed in silty estuarine deposits. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent, mean annual air temperature is 10 degrees C, and mean annual precipitation is 132 cm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, mesic Typic Sulfaquents

TYPICAL PEDON: Pishagqua silt loam on a south facing 1 percent (concave) slope in an Eelgrass meadow of a Lagoon Bottom Channel under 2 meters of permanent estuarine water (Colors are for moist soil, dry colors ranged from 5Y 5/1 to 6/1.). Common, fine and medium distinct 5Y 5/4 concentrations were observed upon drying.

A1--0 to 15 centimeters; black (5Y 2.5/2) interior, silt loam; massive; loose, nonsticky, nonplastic; very fluid; low toughness; extremely low penetration resistance; low excavation difficulty; 1 percent flat angular weakly cemented shell fragments; hydrogen sulfide odor, clear boundary.

C2--15 to 110 centimeters; black (5Y 2.5/1) interior, silt loam; massive; loose, nonsticky, nonplastic; very fluid; extremely low penetration resistance; low excavation difficulty; 1 percent fine and medium platy shell fragments; hydrogen sulfide odor, gradual boundary.

C3--110 to 160 centimeters; black (5Y 2.5/1) interior, silt loam; massive; loose, nonsticky, nonplastic; moderately fluid; extremely low penetration resistance; low excavation difficulty; 1 percent flat subangular shell fragments; hydrogen sulfide odor, gradual boundary..

C4--160 to 191 centimeters; black (5Y 2.5/1) interior, silt loam; massive; loose, nonsticky, nonplastic; moderately fluid; extremely low penetration resistance; low excavation difficulty; 1 percent flat subangular very weakly cemented shell fragments; hydrogen sulfide odor.

TYPE LOCATION: Washington County, Rhode Island; Town of Charlestown, Fort Neck Cove of Ninigret Pond, 1,400 feet north of Potato Point and 1,100 feet west of Tautog Cove, Carolina USGS Quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 22 minutes 33.77 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 38 minutes 48.47 seconds W. NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:

The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of moderately acid or slightly acid and a pH of 4.0 or less after 8 weeks incubation. Sulfidic materials occur within 50 centimeters of the soil surface, as a layer 1 centimeter or greater thick with a pH value of 4.0 or less within 8 weeks of incubation. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity ranges from 20 to 40 ms throughout the profile. The thickness of silty estuarine material is greater than 100 cm. Some areas are underlain at a depth greater than 100 cm by buried organic deposits, sandy estuarine material, loess, and/or glacial fluvial sand and gravel. Shell fragments range from 0 to 15 percent throughout. Shell fragment types observed include soft shell clam, quahog, oyster, periwinkle, and razor clam.

RANGE OF INDIVIDUAL HORIZONS:

A horizons if present range from a moist color of 2.5Y to 5Y hue, value 2.5 to 3, and chroma 2 or less. Dry colors range from 2.5Y to 5Y value 5 to 7 and chroma 2 or less. Textures range from silt loam to silty clay loam with mucky analogs on some pedons. Consistence has a moderately to very fluid manner of failure class, very friable to loose moist rupture resistance (soft dry), and is non to slightly stick and plastic. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are present.

C and Cg horizons range from a moist color of 5Y to N hue, value 2.5 to 4, and chroma 2 or less. Dry colors range from 2.5Y to 5Y value 5 to 7 and chroma 2 or less. Textures of the C horizons include very fine sandy loam, silt loam, and silty clay loam with mucky analogs on some pedons. Thin strata of sandy material are found in some pedons. Consistence has a moderately to very fluid manner of failure class, very friable to loose moist rupture resistance (soft dry), and is non to slightly stick and plastic. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are present.

Discontinuities: Some pedons are underlain at a depth greater than 100 cm by one or more of the following discontinuities: Sapric and hemic deposits (Oab, Oeb) from fresh and/or salt-water wetlands, silt-loam textured loess, sandy marine sand, and/or glacial deposits of Pleistocene age.

COMPETING SERIES: None

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING:

The Pishagqua soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in low energy basins and channels of coastal lagoons. The soils formed in silty estuarine sediments in 1.5 to 5 meters under water. Most areas have a slope less than 3 percent and are on slightly concave to level landforms. The mean annual air temperature is 10 degrees C, and mean annual precipitation is 132 cm

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS:

These are the Wamphassuc (T), and Quanaduck (T) soils. Wamphassuc soils are coarse-loamy soils in drowned stream valleys and terraces in bays. Quanaduck soils are underlain by coarse textured material.

USE AND VEGETATION:

Areas of this soil are used for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming. Benthic fauna such as tubeworms, clams, juvenile blue crabs, scallops and juvenile finfish are common.

Dominant Vegetation: Native vegetation includes rooted and floating algae, eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima). Vegetative cover ranges from 0 to 100 percent.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged low energy basins in coastal estuaries and coastal lagoons from New Jersey to Maine, U.S.A.; MLRA 144A and 149B. This series is of small extent but acreage may become large once full scale survey of subaqueous soils begins.

MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Amherst, Massachusetts.

SERIES PROPOSED: Washington County, Rhode Island, 2006.

REMARKS: Series name was taken from Algonquian word for mud and/or dirt.

Pishagqua soils were formerly included with miscellaneous areas of water. They are distinguished by being permanently covered by estuarine waters that support submersed aquatic vegetation in areas where water quality (clarity, salinity, etc.) permits SAV growth. They are also mapped in areas that no longer support sub aquatic vegetation and are classified as “silty mud sediments” by other disciplines. The soils were originally called “Lagoon Bottom” prior to becoming a soil series.

Diagnostic horizons and other diagnostic soil characteristics recognized in this pedon are:

Peraquic feature--the zone from 0 to 60 inches is permanently saturated
Sulfidic feature--The zone from 0 cm to 100 cm contains sulfidic materials in all horizons (verified by moist incubation)

ADDITIONAL DATA:

This pedon was sampled as S04-RI009-001 by the University of Rhode Island. Numerous other pedons have been samples and there are over 20 pedon descriptions available for this series.

TOP

QUANADUCK SERIES
The Quanaduck series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged in mainland coves. The Quanaduck soils are formed in silty marine deposits underlain by sandy or sandy-skeletal deposits. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Haplic Sulfaquents

TYPICAL PEDON: Quanaduck mucky silt loam on a permanently submerged 2 percent slope, under 120 centimeters of strongly saline water (46 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, and water clarity of greater than 110 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)

Ag1—0 to 30 cm; black (N 2.5/0) mucky silt loam; dark gray (5Y 4/1) dry; massive; very fluid; 20 percent fibers; 1 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.2); very strongly acid (final pH 5.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

Ag2—30 to 39 cm; black (N 2.5/0) mucky silt loam; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) dry; massive; moderately fluid; 20 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); extremely acid (final pH 4.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the A horizons is 30 to 50 cm)

2Ag—39 to 46 cm; 50 percent dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) and 50 percent very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) loamy sand; dark gray (10YR 4/1) dry; massive; moderately fluid; 20 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); extremely acid (final pH 4.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary. (5 to 10 cm thick)

2ACg—46 to 54 cm; very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) loamy sand; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) dry; massive; nonfluid; 5 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphorous odor; 8 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.8); extremely acid (final pH 4.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 10 cm thick)

2Cg—54 to 58 cm; dark greenish gray (5G 4/1) sand; grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 2 percent fibers; 5 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; no sulphorous odor; 10 percent gravels; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.0); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 15 cm thick)

2Agb—58 to 66 cm; very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) gravelly loamy sand; light olive brown (2.5Y 5/3) dry; massive; nonfluid; 5 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphorous odor; 20 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); extremely acid (final pH 4.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; gradual smooth boundary. (0 to 15 cm thick)

2Cg1—66 to 72 cm; very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) very gravelly sand; light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) dry; single grain; nonfluid; 2 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; 40 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.4); extremely acid (final pH 4.3 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Cg2—72 to 82 cm; dark greenish gray (10GY 4/1) gravelly sand; light bluish gray (5PB 7/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; 25 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.8); very strongly acid (final pH 4.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Cg3—82 to 86 cm; 50 percent dark greenish gray (10Y 4/1) and 50 percent dark greenish gray (10GY 4/1) sand; light greenish gray (10Y 7/1) dry; single grain; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; 5 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); extremely acid (final pH 4.4 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the 2Cg horizons is 20 to 88 cm)

3Cg—86 to 107 cm; gray (N 5/0) silt loam; light gray (5Y 7/1) dry; massive; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; 8 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); very strongly acid (final pH 4.8 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear irregular boundary. (0 to 40 cm thick)

4Cg1—107 to 120 cm; dark gray (2.5Y 4/1) gravelly sandy loam; light gray (2.5Y 7/1) dry; massive; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; 20 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.8); strongly acid (final pH 5.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; gradual smooth boundary.

4Cg2—120 to 155 cm; dark gray (2.5Y 4/1) very gravelly silt loam; light gray (5Y 7/1) dry; massive; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; 37 percent gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.8); strongly acid (final pH 5.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 2305 feet southeast of the Barn Island boat launch and 6860 feet west of the intersection of Green Haven Road and Osbrook Point Road, in a cove, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 20 minutes 7.9 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 52 minutes 3.0 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of slightly alkaline or moderately alkaline. The Ag2, 2Ag, 2ACg, and 2Agb horizons have pH 4.0 or less after 8 weeks incubation. The Cg horizons have a pH of extremely acid or strongly acid after 8 weeks incubation. Sulfidic materials occur within 50 centimeters of the soil surface, as a layer 1 centimeter or greater thick with a pH value of 4.0 or less within 8 weeks of incubation. Sulfidic materials are present in individual horizons that extend to a depth of up to 100 cm. Depth to first lithologic discontinuity ranges from 30 to 50 cm. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The Ag horizons have hue of 5Y through 10YR dry, value of 3 or 4 dry, and chroma of 1 or 2 dry. Organic matter averages 5 to 15 percent. Herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 20 percent, rubbed 0 to 5 percent. Sulphurous odor is present. Sulfidic materials are present in at least the lower part of the A horizons.

The 2Ag, 2ACg and 2Agb horizons (2ACg and 2Agb absent in some pedons) have hue of N, 10Y or 10YR moist and 2.5Y or 10YR dry, value of 3 or 4 moist and 4 or 5 dry, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist and 1 through 3 dry. Textures range from loamy sand to sand and gravelly analogs. Gravel content averages 0 to 30 percent. Herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 20 percent, rubbed 0 to 5 percent. Organic matter ranges from 5 to 15 percent. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are present.

The 2Cg horizons have hue of 5G, 10Y or 10GY moist and 10YR, 2.5Y, 5PB or 10GY dry, value of 3 or 4 moist and 5 through 7 dry, and chroma of 1 or 2 dry. Textures include sand, gravelly sand, or very gravelly sand. Gravel content averages 0 to 55 percent. Sulphurous odor may or may not be present. Sulfidic materials are not present.

The 3Cg horizon (absent in some pedons) has hue of N, 5G, or 10Y moist and 2.5Y or 5Y dry, value of 4 through 6 moist and 5 through 7 dry, and chroma of 1 or 2 dry. Textures include silt loam or loam. Gravel content ranges from 0 to 10 percent. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are absent.

The 4Cg horizons have hue of 2.5Y or 5Y moist and dry. Textures include sandy loam, fine sandy loam, silt loam and gravelly and very gravelly analogs. Gravel content ranges from 15 to 45 percent. Sulphurous odor and sulfidic materials are absent.

COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series in the same family. The Saltpond and Wamphassuc (T) series are in closely related families. Saltpond soils are on coastal plain and barrier island landscapes that are not permanently submerged. Wamphassuc soils are in submerged stream valleys and have a coarse-loamy family particle-size class. Saltpond and Wamphassuc soils lack multiple lithologic discontinuities in the series control section.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Quanaduck soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in areas adjacent to mainland coves. Slope ranges from 0 to 5 percent. The soils formed in silty material over sandy or sandy skeletal marine sediments and can be found from 0 to 2.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock(T), Wamphassuc(T), Rhodesfolly(T), Napatree(T), Anguilla(T), and Pequot(T) soils. Wequetequock and Wamphassuc soils are in submerged stream valleys and do not have a contrasting family particle-size control section. Rhodesfolly soils are in washover fans and submerged barrier island beach landforms and do not have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface. Napatree soils are in submerged headland landforms, have an Aeric subgroup, and do not have sulfidic materials. Anguilla soils are in mainland cove landforms and are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand. The Pequot soils are sandy soils with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Very poorly drained, peraquic soil moisture regime, high to very high saturated hydraulic conductivity. Soil is permanently submerged with salt or brackish water. The presence of sulfidic material within 50 centimeters of the soil surface puts these soils at risk for acid sulfate drainage if they are dredged and exposed to the air.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation and benthic habitats as a source for food, shelter, and other essential life support.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged inland bay coves in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are not extensive; their total extent is currently about 200 hectares.

SERIES PROPOSED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Quanaduck Cove located in Stonington, Connecticut.

1. Peraquic feature - positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface (under 120 cm of salt water).
2. Particle-size control section – the zone from 25 to 100 cm (Part of the Ag1, Ag2, 2Ag, 2ACg, 2Cg, 2Agb, 2Cg1, 2Cg2, 2Cg3, and part of the 3Cg horizon).
3. Sulfidic materials – the zone from the soil surface to 54 cm and from 58 to 66 cm (the Ag2, 2Ag, 2ACg, and 2Agb horizons).
4. Lithologic discontinuity – contrasting soil materials at 39 cm, 86 cm, and 107 cm (the 2Ag, 3Cg, and 4Cg1 horizons).
5. Buried soil feature – the zone from 58 to 66 cm (the 2Agb horizon).
6. Gleyed horizons – the zone from 0 to 155 (Ag1, Ag2, 2Ag, 2ACg, 2Cg, 2Agb, 2Cg1, 2Cg2, 2Cg3, 3Cg, 4Cg1, and 4Cg2 horizons).
7. Using the proposed Wassents classification this soil classifies as a coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Haplic Sulfiwassents.

ADDITIONAL DATA: Partial reference sample from S05CT011005 New London County, Connecticut, by NSSL, Lincoln, NE, 10/05.

RHODESFOLLY SERIES
The Rhodesfolly series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged soils on washover fans created by overwash from storm surges. The Rhodesfolly soils are formed in sandy marine deposits with multiple buried horizons. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TYPICAL PEDON: Rhodesfolly on a permanently submerged nearly level slope under 130 centimeters of strongly saline water (48 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 18 degrees Celsius and an incoming tide. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise noted.)

C—0 to 13 cm; 50 percent very dark gray (N 3/0) and 50 percent dark greenish gray (10Y 4/1) sand; white (N 8/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; slight sulphurous odor; 2 percent mixed shell fragments; neutral (initial pH 7.2); slightly acid (final pH 6.4 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg1—13 to 26 cm; gray (5Y 5/1) coarse sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; slight sulphorous odor; 2 percent mixed shell fragments; 3 percent fine gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.5); neutral (final pH 7.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Cg2—26 to 30 cm; gray (5Y 5/1) sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; slight sulphurous odor; 1 percent mixed shell fragments; 3 percent fine gravels; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.8); neutral (final pH 7.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Ab—30 to 32 cm; very dark gray (N 3/0) sand; gray (N 5/0) dry; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; single grain; herbaceous fiber; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.0); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Cg—32 to 44 cm; gray (N 5/0) fine sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; massive; nonfluid; slight sulphurous odor; 1 percent mixed shell fragments; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.1); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

2Ab—44 to 55 cm; black (N 2.5/0) fine sandy loam; gray (2.5Y 6/1) dry; 2 percent fibers; 1 percent rubbed; massive; herbaceous fiber; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; 1 percent mixed shell fragments; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.0); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

3Cg—55 to 78 cm; 95 percent dark gray (5Y 4/1) and 5 percent very dark gray (N 3/0) sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; 2 percent fibers; 1 percent rubbed; single grain; herbaceous fiber; nonfluid; slight sulphurous odor; 2 percent mixed shell fragments; 2 percent fine gravels; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.2); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

3Ab—78 to 84 cm; black (5Y 2.5/1) fine sandy loam; gray (2.5Y 5/1) dry; massive; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; 40 percent mussel shell fragments partially decomposed; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.1); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

4Cg1—84 to 104 cm; greenish gray (10Y 5/1) coarse sand; light gray (N 7/0) dry; single grain; nonfluid; sulphorous odor; 2 percent shell fragments; 10 percent fine gravel; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.4); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.8 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

4Cg2—104 to 115 cm; very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) fine sand; light gray (2.5Y 7/1) dry; 2 percent fibers; 1 percent rubbed; single grain; herbaceous fiber; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.0); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.5 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

5AC—115 to 140 cm; 50 percent black (N 2.5/0) very fine sandy loam and 50 percent very dark greenish gray (10Y 3/1) fine sand; 100 percent gray (5Y 5/1) dry; 25 percent fibers; 20 percent rubbed; single grain; herbaceous fiber; vfsl is slightly fluid and fs is nonfluid; sulphurous odor; 1 percent shell fragments; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); neutral (final pH 7.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary. (0 to 40 cm thick)

5Ab—140 to 150 cm; black (5Y 2.5/1) very fine sandy loam; gray (5Y 5/1) dry; 10 percent fibers; 10 percent rubbed; massive; herbaceous fiber; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; slightly alkaline (initial pH 7.6); neutral (final pH 7.2 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

5Cg—150 to 160 cm; black (5Y 2.5/2) sandy loam; gray (5Y 5/1) dry; 5 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; massive; herbaceous fiber; nonfluid; sulphurous odor; 5 percent gravels; 40 percent hard shell clams fragments; moderately alkaline (initial pH 8.2); slightly alkaline (final pH 7.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 5600 feet southeast from the intersection of the Providence and Worcester Railroad and Island Road, and 4620 feet southwest of Barn Island boat launch, northeast of Sandy Point, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 19 minutes 34.5 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 53 minutes 0.6 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of neutral to moderately alkaline and a pH of slightly alkaline to slightly acid after 8 weeks. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The Ab horizons have hue of 5Y or N, value of 2.5 or 3 moist, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist. It is very fine sandy loam, fine sandy loam or sand. Consistence is nonfluid to moderately fluid. It averages 5 to 15 percent organic matter. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 1 to 10 percent, rubbed from 0 to 10 percent. It averages 0 to 40 percent shell fragments. Sulphurous odor is present.

The AC horizon, when present, has hue of 5Y or N, value of 2.5 or 3 moist, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist. It is very fine sandy loam, fine sand or sand. Consistence is nonfluid or slightly fluid. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 1 to 25 percent, rubbed from 0 to 20 percent. It averages 0 to 5 percent shell fragments. Sulphurous odor is present.

The C horizon, when present, has hue of 5Y or N, value of 3 or 4 moist, and chroma of 0 or 1 moist. It is sand or coarse sand. Consistence is nonfluid. It averages 0 to 10 percent gravel and 0 to 10 percent shell fragments. Sulphurous odor is present.

The Cg horizons have hue of 5Y, 10Y, or N, value of 2.5 to 5 moist, and chroma of 0 to 2 moist. It is sandy loam, fine sand, sand, or coarse sand. Consistence is nonfluid to moderately fluid. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 5 percent, rubbed from 0 to 1 percent. It averages 0 to 10 percent gravel and 0 to 40 percent shell fragments. Sulphurous odor is present.

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Almeria and Pelic series. Both soils are mapped outside of LRR R and lack a peraquic soil moisture regime.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Rhodesfolly soils are permanently submerged with strongly saline water on washover fans formed by sand washed over a barrier island or spit during a storm and deposited on the inland side. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent. The soils formed in sandy deposits with numerous buried horizons from catastrophic storm events that breeched the barrier island or spit. The history of major storm events along the southern New England coast is entombed in the profiles of the washover fan. These soils can be found from 0 to 2.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock(T), Wamphassuc(T), Napatree(T), Anguilla(T), Quanaduck(T), and Pequot(T) soils. The Wequetequock soils are coarse-silty soils formed in marine sediments interbedded with sand over drowned organic salt marsh deposits on submerged stream valleys. The Wamphassuc soils are coarse-loamy soils formed in loamy marine sediments on submerged stream valleys. The Napatree soils are coarse-loamy soils with a capping of sandy marine deposits formed on submerged headlands. The Quanaduck soils are coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal soils formed on submerged inland bay coves. Anguilla soils are in mainland cove landforms, have sulfidic materials within 100 cm of the soil surface, and are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand. The Pequot soils are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged washover fans in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are of small extent.

SERIES ESTABLISHED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Rhodes Folly, located in Stonington, Connecticut.

1. Peraquic feature - Positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface (under 130 cm of salt water).

2. Particle-size control section – The zone from 25 to 100 cm (part of the Cg1, Cg2, Ab, 2Cg, 2Ab, 3Cg, 3Ab, and part of 4Cg1 horizons).

3. Buried horizons – The zone from 32 to 160 cm (the 2Cg, 2Ab, 3Cg, 3Ab, 4Cg1, 4Cg2, 5AC, 5Ab, and 5Cg horizons).

4. Gleyed horizons – The Cg1, and Cg2, 2Cg, 3Cg, 4Cg1, 4Cg2, and 5Cg horizons.

5. Using the Wassents suborder this soil classifies as a sandy, mixed, mesic Typic Fluviwassents.

ADDITIONAL DATA: Partial reference sample from S05RI0009008 Washington County, Rhode Island, by SSL, Lincoln, NE, 10/05.

WAMPHASSUC SERIES
The Wamphassuc series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged in drowned stream valleys and terraces. The Wamphassuc soils are formed in loamy marine deposits underlain by organic material. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Haplic Sulfaquents.

TYPICAL PEDON: Wamphassuc mucky silt loam on a permanently submerged slope under 131 centimeters of strongly saline water (48 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius, and water clarity of greater than 130 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil.)

Ag1—0 to 10 cm; black (5Y 2.5/1) mucky silt loam; dark gray (5Y 4/1) dry; massive; very fluid; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; organic matter 14.3 percent; sulphurous odor; slightly acid (initial pH 6.4); ultra acid (final pH 2.7 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Ag2—10 to 26 cm; black (N 2.5/0) silt loam; massive; very fluid; 5 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphorous odor; moderately acid (initial pH 6.0); ultra acid (final pH 2.0 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary.

Ag3—26 to 39 cm; black (5Y 2.5/1) mucky sandy loam; massive; moderately fluid; 20 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphorous odor; slightly acid (initial pH 6.2); ultra acid (final pH 2.4 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the A horizon is 30 to 42 centimeters.)

Cg—39 to 53 cm; olive gray (5Y 5/2) gravelly sandy loam; common fine distinct gray (N 5/1) iron depletions; many fine prominent light olive brown (2.5Y 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; massive; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; 20 percent gravels; slightly acid (initial pH 6.4); ultra acid (final pH 3.1 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

C—53 to 120 cm; olive (5Y 4/3) fine sandy loam; common fine faint light gray (5Y 7/1) iron depletions; many fine prominent light olive brown (2.5Y 5/6) masses of iron accumulation; massive; nonfluid; no sulphurous odor; slightly acid (initial pH 6.4); extremely acid (final pH 3.8 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 3975 feet southeast of the Barn Island boat launch and 6070 feet southwest of the intersection of Green Haven Road and Osbrook Point Road, just south of Perch Island, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 19 minutes 88 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 51 minutes 81 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of moderately acid or slightly acid and a pH of 4.0 or less after 8 weeks incubation. Sulfidic materials occur within 50 centimeters of the soil surface, as a layer 1 centimeter or greater thick with a pH value of 4.0 or less within 8 weeks of incubation. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The Ag horizons have hue of 5Y or N moist and dry, value of 4 through 7 dry, chroma of 0 or 1 moist and dry. Textures range from mucky silt loam to sandy loam. Consistence is moderately fluid or very fluid. Organic matter averages 5 to 15 percent. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 0 to 20 percent, rubbed to 0 percent. Sulphurous odor is present and sulfidic materials are present.

The Cg horizon has hue of 5Y or N moist and dry, value of 4 or 5 moist, and chroma of 0 to 2 moist. Textures include fine sandy loam, sandy loam, sand, and coarse sand along with gravelly analogs. Gravel content ranges from 0 to 30 percent. Redoximorphic features are common to many. Sulphurous odor is absent. Sulfidic materials are present.

The C horizon has hue of 2.5Y or 5Y moist and dry, value of 4 or 5 moist, and chroma of 3 to 4 moist. Textures include fine sandy loam, sandy loam, sand, and coarse sand along with gravelly analogs. Gravel content ranges from 0 to 30 percent. Redoximorphic features are common to many. Sulphurous odor is absent. Sulfidic materials are present.

COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series in the same family. The Saltpond and Quanaduck (T) series are in closely related families. Saltpond soils are on coastal plain and barrier island landscapes that are not permanently submerged. Quanaduck soils are in mainland cove landforms and have a contrasting particle-size class family of coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Wamphassuc soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in drowned stream valleys and terraces that undergo minimal currents and wave action. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The soils formed in loamy marine sediments and can be found from 0 to 1.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wequetequock (T), Rhodesfolly (T), Quanaduck (T), Napatree (T), Anguilla (T), and Pequot(T) soils. Wequetequock soils are in submerged stream valleys and do not have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface. Rhodesfolly soils are in washover fans and submerged barrier island beach landforms and do not have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface. Quanaduck and Anguilla soils are in mainland cove landforms, have multiple lithologic discontinuities, and are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand in the series control section. Napatree soils are in submerged headland landforms, have an Aeric subgroup, and do not have sulfidic materials. The Pequot soils are sandy soils with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island and do not have sulfidic materials.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Very poorly drained, peraquic soil moisture regime, moderately high to high saturated hydraulic conductivity due to low bulk density. Soil is permanently submerged with salt or brackish water. The presence of sulfidic materials throughout the soil profile puts these soils at risk for acid sulfate drainage if they are dredged and exposed to the air.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation and benthic habitats as a source for food, shelter, and other essential life support.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Permanently submerged drowned stream valleys and submerged terraces in northeastern U.S.A.; MLRA 144A. The soils of this series are not extensive; their total extent is about 300 hectares.

SERIES PROPOSED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Wamphassuc Neck located in Stonington, Connecticut.

1. Peraquic feature - positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface (under 131 cm of salt water).
2. Particle-size control section – the zone from 25 to 100 cm (part of the Ag2, Ag3, Cg and part of the C horizons).
3. Sulfidic materials – the zone from the soil surface to 150 cm (all of the horizons).
4. Gleyed horizons – the zone from 0 to 53 cm (Ag1, Ag2, Ag3, Cg horizons).
5. Using the Wassents suborder this soil classifies as a coarse-loamy, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Haplic Sulfiwassents.

WEQUETEQUOCK SERIES
The Wequetequock series consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that are permanently submerged in drowned stream valleys and terraces. The Wequetequock soils are formed in loamy marine deposits underlain by organic material. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C, and the mean annual precipitation is about 1250 mm.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Coarse-silty, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Sulfic Fluvaquents.

TYPICAL PEDON: Wequetequock silt on a permanently submerged concave slope under 122 centimeters of strongly saline water (47 mmhos/cm), with a water temperature of 19.4 degrees Celsius, and water clarity of greater than 120 centimeters deep. (Colors are for moist soil.)

Ag1—0 to 15 cm; black (N 2.5/0) silt; massive; very fluid; 2 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.0); slightly acid (final pH 6.3 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary.

Ag2—15 to 40 cm; black (N 2.5/0) silt; massive; very fluid; 1 percent fibers; 0 percent rubbed; herbaceous fiber; sulphorous odor; neutral (initial pH 7.0); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the A horizons is 15 to 50 cm)

2Cg—40 to 60 cm; very dark gray (2.5Y 3/1) sand; single grain; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; 2 percent gravels; neutral (initial pH 6.8); very strongly acid (final pH 4.9 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; clear smooth boundary. (0 to 25 cm thick)

3Cg—60 to 100 cm; very dark gray (2.5Y 3/1) silt loam; massive; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 6.8); ultra acid (final pH 3.1 after 8 weeks); strongly saline; abrupt smooth boundary. (25 to 65 cm thick)

4Oa—100 to 150 cm; dark brown (7.5YR 3/3) muck, broken face sapric material, very dark grey (10YR 3/1) rubbed; 60 percent fibers; 2 percent rubbed; massive; herbaceous fiber; moderately fluid; sulphurous odor; neutral (initial pH 6.8); neutral (final pH 6.6 after 8 weeks); strongly saline.

TYPE LOCATION: New London County, Connecticut; located about 600 feet south of the Providence and Worcester Rail Road Bridge and 1000 feet northeast of Goat Island in Wequetequock Cove, USGS Mystic topographic quadrangle; lat. 41 degrees 20 minutes 61 seconds N. and long. 71 degrees 53 minutes 3.8 seconds W., NAD 83.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The soils are permanently submerged. All horizons have an initial pH of neutral to slightly alkaline. The 3Cg horizon has a pH 4.0 or less after 8 weeks incubation. The remaining horizons have a pH of very strongly acid through neutral after 8 weeks incubation. Sulfidic materials occur between 50 and 100 centimeters of the soil surface, as a layer 1 centimeter or greater thick with a pH value of 4.0 or less within 8 weeks of incubation. Multiple lithologic discontinuities are present and depth to the buried organic layer commonly ranges from 55 to 110 cm. Electrical conductivity is greater than 16 mmhos/cm and salinity is greater than 25 ppt throughout the profile.

The Ag horizons average 5 to 15 percent organic matter. Sulphurous odor is present.

The 2Cg and 3Cg horizons (2Cg absent in some pedons) texture ranges from silt loam to sand. Gravel content ranges from 0 to 10 percent. Consistence is slightly fluid or moderately fluid. Sulphurous odor is present. Sulfidic materials are present below 50 cm.

The 4Oa horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 5YR moist and chroma of 2 or 3 moist. It is muck. Consistence is slightly fluid or moderately fluid. Percent herbaceous fibers range from 35 to 70 percent, rubbed from 0 to 2 percent. Sulphurous odor is present.

COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series in the same family. The Tizzard (T) series is in a closely related family. Tizzard soils have a contrasting particle-size class family of sandy over loamy and have a siliceous mineralogy class.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Wequetequock soils are permanently submerged with salt or brackish water in drowned stream valleys and terraces that undergo minimal currents and wave action. Slope ranges from 0 to 2 percent and are slightly concave. The soils formed in silty marine sediments interbedded with sand over drowned organic salt marsh deposits and can be found from 0 to 1.5 meters deep under water. The mean annual precipitation is 1250 mm. The mean annual air temperature is 10.5 degrees C. The frost-free period is 180 days.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Wamphassuc (T), Rhodesfolly (T), Quanaduck (T), Napatree (T), Anguilla (T), and Pequot(T) soils. All of these soils lack thick buried organic deposits in the lower part of the series control section. The Wamphassuc soils are also in drowned stream valleys and terraces and have sulfidic materials throughout the profile. Rhodesfolly soils are in washover fans and submerged barrier island beach landforms, have multiple buried horizons and lack sulfidic materials with 100 cm. Quanaduck soils are in mainland cove landforms, have sulfidic materials within 50 cm of the soil surface and have a contrasting particle-size class family of coarse-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal. Napatree soils are in submerged headland landforms, have an Aeric subgroup, and do not have sulfidic materials. Anguilla soils are in mainland cove landforms and are dominated by textures coarser than loamy fine sand. The Pequot soils are sandy soils with numerous buried horizons formed on unstable landforms seaward of the barrier island and do not have sulfidic materials.

DRAINAGE AND SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY: Very poorly drained, peraquic soil moisture regime, moderately high to high saturated hydraulic conductivity due to low bulk density. Soil is permanently submerged with salt or brackish water. The presence of sulfidic material at 60 centimeters puts these soils at risk for acid sulfate drainage if they are dredged and exposed to the air.

USE AND VEGETATION: These soils are used for recreation and benthic habitats as a source for food, shelter, and other essential life support.

SERIES PROPOSED: New London County, Connecticut, 2006. The name is taken from Wamphassuc Neck located in Stonington, Connecticut.

1. Peraquic feature - positive soil water potential (permanently submerged) at the soil surface (under 130 cm of salt water).
2. Particle-size control section – the zone from 25 to 100 cm (Part of the Ag2, 2Cg, and 3Cg horizons).
3. Sulfidic materials – the zone from 60cm to 100 cm (the 3Cg horizon).
4. Lithologic discontinuity – contrasting soil materials at 40 cm, 60 cm and 100 cm (the 2Cg, 3Cg and 4Oa horizons).
5. Buried soil feature – the zone from 100 to 150 cm (the 4Oa horizon).
6. Gleyed horizons – the zone from 0 to 100 (Ag1, Ag2, 2Cg, and 3Cg horizons).
7. Using the proposed Wassents classification this soil classifies as a coarse-silty, mixed, subactive, nonacid, mesic Sulfic Fluviwassents.