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A Classification of ca Horizons in Soils of a Desert Region, Dona Ana County, New Mexico¹

ABSTRACT

A ca horizon is defined in the Soil Survey Manual as an accumulation of calcium carbonate. Field study in Dona Ana County, New Mexico shows that ca horizons occur in soils on a variety of sediments and geomorphic surfaces. A broad fan piedmont extends from the Rio Grande Valley eastward to the igneous Organ Mountains. To the north there is a desert bolson. In soils on these surfaces and in paleosols underlying the fan piedmont, ca horizons occur and range from thin CaCO₃ coatings on pebbles or few CaCO₃ filaments to indurated horizons many feet thick.

In soils of the study area, ca horizons have been classified as weak, moderate, strong and very strong. The classification is based on field morphology and pertinent laboratory data, including CaCO₃ equivalent, particle size distribution, bulk density, unconfined compressive strength and infiltration rate.

¹ Contribution of Soil Survey Investigations, Soil Conservation Service, USDA. Grateful acknowledgement is made to Dr. R. V. Ruhe, Research Geologist, SCS, USDA, for frequent consultation and for critically reviewing the manuscript. Many of the laboratory analyses were performed by Mrs. Doris P. Gartner, Physical Science Aid. Compression apparatus was made available through the courtesy of Professor Frank Bromilow of the School of Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University, University Park, New Mexico. Laboratory equipment for calcium and mangesium analyses was made available through the courtesy of Dr. V. H. Gledhill, Extension Soil Specialist, New Mexico State Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Soil Scientist, SCS, USDA, University Park, N. Mex.

Received for publication May 4, 1960. Accepted for publication August 22, 1960.