Eight new soil pits dug at the Calhoun!
On 17-18 October 2016 backhoe drivers dug eight 2-m deep soil pits in three different research areas in the Calhoun CZO. The pits allow relatively easy access (though still difficult at times!) to soil and roots down to 2-m depth, a rare opportunity! Samples were split among five researchers who are working to analyze the samples for many different features. A large group of diverse researchers from six universities plus the USDA Forest Service participated in the intensive sampling that followed. Wofford College professors Kaye Savage and Terry Ferguson brought a large class of undergraduates by for a hands-on educational field trip. The soil profiles were formally described by grad student Caitlin Hodges of the University of Georgia as well as Lance Brewington, the MLRA Soil Survey Leader for the Piedmont Soil Survey Office of the USDA NCRS. Will Cook took detailed photographs of the pits, which are now available at the link below. The pits were open for 1 month to allow time for everyone to get all the samples they needed, then refilled on 21-22 November 2016. Four additional pits were installed on 21-22 November - news article on that linked below!
Researchers Paul Schroeder, Dan Richter, Sharon Billings, Christoph Lehmeier, Emma Hauser, and Rebecca Lybrand examining the newly constructed soil pit in the pine forest in Calhoun CZO research area 2. Photo: Will Cook.
Wofford College students learning about soil in the hardwood forest pit in CCZO research area 2. Professor Terry Wofford on ladder inside pit. Photo: Will Cook.
Christoph Lehmeier, assisted by Sharon Billings, pounding in a core sampler, which will be used to measure bulk density. Photo: Will Cook
Dan Richter, assisted by Diego Barcellos (center) and Jay Austin (right), carefully extracting chunks of soil for cross-CZO study by Emma Aronson (UC-Riverside) of microbial flora by depth. Photo: Will Cook.
Lance Brewington (right), the MLRA Soil Survey Leader for the Piedmont Soil Survey Office of the USDA NCRS, and colleague describing the profile in soil pit R1C3. Photo: Dan Richter
Sad day when a deep soil excavation, window to the Earth's soil and critical zone, must be filled. Refilling pit in R7, 11/22/16. Photo: Dan Richter
Researchers Paul Schroeder, Dan Richter, Sharon Billings, Christoph Lehmeier, Emma Hauser, and Rebecca Lybrand examining the newly constructed soil pit in the pine forest in Calhoun CZO research area 2. Photo: Will Cook.
Wofford College students learning about soil in the hardwood forest pit in CCZO research area 2. Professor Terry Wofford on ladder inside pit. Photo: Will Cook.
Dan Richter, assisted by Diego Barcellos (center) and Jay Austin (right), carefully extracting chunks of soil for cross-CZO study by Emma Aronson (UC-Riverside) of microbial flora by depth. Photo: Will Cook.
Christoph Lehmeier, assisted by Sharon Billings, pounding in a core sampler, which will be used to measure bulk density. Photo: Will Cook
Lance Brewington (right), the MLRA Soil Survey Leader for the Piedmont Soil Survey Office of the USDA NCRS, and colleague describing the profile in soil pit R1C3. Photo: Dan Richter
Sad day when a deep soil excavation, window to the Earth's soil and critical zone, must be filled. Refilling pit in R7, 11/22/16. Photo: Dan Richter
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INFRASTRUCTURE |
DATA |
PEOPLE |
EDUCATION/OUTREACH
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CZO
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Calhoun, INVESTIGATOR
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Calhoun, INVESTIGATOR
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Calhoun, INVESTIGATOR
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Calhoun, GRAD STUDENT
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Calhoun, INVESTIGATOR
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Calhoun, Shale Hills, GRAD STUDENT
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Calhoun, INVESTIGATOR
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Calhoun, Luquillo, GRAD STUDENT
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Calhoun, STAFF
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Calhoun, COLLABORATOR
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Calhoun, COLLABORATOR
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Calhoun, Sierra, COLLABORATOR
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Calhoun, Catalina-Jemez, COLLABORATOR
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