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Custom Soil Resource Report <br />Particle Size and Coarse Fragments <br />This table shows estimates of particle size distribution and coarse fragment content <br />of each soil in the survey area. The estimates are based on field observations and on <br />test data for these and similar soils. <br />Depth to the upper and lower boundaries of each layer is indicated. <br />Particle size is the effective diameter of a soil particle as measured by sedimentation, <br />sieving, or micrometric methods. Particle sizes are expressed as classes with specific <br />effective diameter class limits. The broad classes are sand, silt, and clay, ranging from <br />the larger to the smaller. <br />Sand as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.05 millimeter to 2 <br />millimeters in diameter. In this table, the estimated sand content of each soil layer is <br />given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters in <br />diameter. <br />Silt as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are 0.002 to 0.05 millimeter <br />in diameter. In this table, the estimated silt content of each soil layer is given as a <br />percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters in diameter. <br />Clay as a soil separate consists of mineral soil particles that are less than 0.002 <br />millimeter in diameter. In this table, the estimated clay content of each soil layer is <br />given as a percentage, by weight, of the soil material that is less than 2 millimeters in <br />diameter. <br />The content of sand, silt, and clay affects the physical behavior of a soil. Particle size <br />is important for engineering and agronomic interpretations, for determination of soil <br />hydrologic qualities, and for soil classification. <br />The amount and kind of clay affect the fertility and physical condition of the soil and <br />the ability of the soil to adsorb cations and to retain moisture. They influence shrink - <br />swell potential, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), plasticity, the ease of soil <br />dispersion, and other soil properties. The amount and kind of clay in a soil also affect <br />tillage and earthmoving operations. <br />Total fragments is the content of fragments of rock and other materials larger than 2 <br />millimeters in diameter on volumetric basis of the whole soil. <br />Fragments 2 -74 mm refers to the content of coarse fragments in the 2 to 74 millimeter <br />size fraction. <br />Fragments 75 -249 mm refers to the content of coarse fragments in teh 75 to 249 <br />millimeter size fraction. <br />Fragments 250 -599 mm refers to the content of coarse fragments in the 250 to 599 <br />millimeter size fraction. <br />Fragments > =600 mm refers to the content of coarse fragments in the greater than or <br />equal to 600 millimeter size fraction. <br />Reference: <br />United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. <br />National soil survey handbook, title 430 -VI. (http: / /soils.usda.gov) <br />62 <br />