Artigos de revistas sobre o tema "Soils South Australia Lofty, Mount, Ranges, Region"

The effect of landuse on composition of throughflow water immediately above the clayey B horizons in duplex soils (mostly natric and/or sodic) in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, was investigated using simple lysimeters. During July-November 1991, the pH of the first flow immediately after rainstorm under pines, native woodland, and pasture, respectively, was 5.7, 6.0, and 6.4. At each of the sites, average pH over 4 months during July-November was 5.8-5.9. Both the electrical conductivity (EC) and the amounts of total dissolved solids (TDS) were 2-3 times higher under pine than at other sites. The rate of change in EC with respect to TDS varied considerably among the sites, possibly due to the large differences in the concentration of dissolved organic compounds. Although the pH of water was >5.5, both aluminium and iron were recorded, especially under pine, where there were also high levels of dissolved organic compounds. High levels of suspended colloidal matter were recorded in the water flowing under pine, and these levels were related to dissolved organic carbon.

An inert electrode was constructed using wax-impregnated graphite (WIG) as an alternative to Pt for permanent installation in the regolith. The performance of WIG electrodes has not previously been systematically evaluated by using data from field trials, although Pt and WIG measure similar Eh values in laboratory solutions. We compared the performance of the WIG electrode when installed adjacent to Pt redox electrodes in the A, B and C horizons of duplex soils in a X-eralf-Aqualf toposequence near Mount Crawford in the Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Lower potentials, commonly in the order of 200 mV, were measured from WIG electrodes, relative to Pt electrodes. Measurements of potential from adjacently installed WIG and Pt electrodes did not show significant correlation. Generally oxidizing redox potentials were measured in all soils in which electrodes were installed due to below average rainfall during the sampling period. Further testing of WIG electrodes in reduced regolith is needed. Interpretation of Eh trends, measured using Pt electrodes, between the A, B and C horizon are presented.

The response of sweet cherry trees (butt circumference, canopy volume, yield) to different rates of the growth-inhibiting chemical paclobutrazol applied at various times during each year was studied on red podsolic soils in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia Two experiments were conducted: one used a regression design with 16 rates of paclobutrazol; the other was a randomised block experiment with paclobutrazol treatments applied in spring, autumn, or half in autumn and half in spring. Butt circumference growth of the variety Sam grafted on Mahaleb rootstocks tended to reduce with inceased rates of paclobutrazol in the first year of application. The lowest rate of paclobutrazol to reduce butt growth sigdicantly below that of control trees was 1.2 g a.i./tree. Canopy growth showed a delayed response in measurable growth inhibition in the season after treatment; however, no significant differences were measured for rate of canopy growth in any year for any treatment in the regression experiment. Despite this, final canopy volumes of trees treated with 1.6 g paclobutrazol in spring were half those of control canopies. Variability in butt growth response to the range of rates applied was attributed largely to localised differences in soil properties which influenced paclobutrazol movement and uptake. This variability was gradually reduced over the 3-year period with continued paclobutrazol applications. In 1987, crop level ratings made before harvest showed significantly higher levels of fruit on trees treated with 1.6 g paclobutrazol in spring, indicating that fruit numbers could be increased by applications of paclobutrazol.

Abstract. Chloride is commonly used as an environmental tracer for studying water flow and solute transport in the environment. It is especially useful for estimating groundwater recharge based on the commonly used chloride mass balance (CMB) method. Strong spatial variability in chloride deposition in coastal areas is one difficulty encountered in appropriately applying the method. A high-resolution bulk chloride deposition map in the coastal region is thus needed. The aim of this study is to construct a chloride deposition map in the Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR), a coastal hilly area of approximately 9000 km2 spatial extent in South Australia. We examined geographic (related to coastal distance), orographic, and atmospheric factors that may influence chloride deposition, using partial correlation and regression analyses. The results indicate that coastal distance, elevation, as well as terrain aspect and slope, appear to be significant factors controlling chloride deposition in the study area. Coastal distance accounts for 70% of spatial variability in bulk chloride deposition, with elevation, terrain aspect and slope an additional 15%. The results are incorporated into a de-trended residual kriging model (ASOADeK) to produce a 1 km×1 km resolution bulk chloride deposition and concentration maps. The average uncertainty of the deposition map is about 20–30% in the western MLR, and 40–50% in the eastern MLR. The maps will form a useful basis for examining catchment chloride balance for the CMB application in the study area.

Abstract. Chloride is commonly used as an environmental tracer for studying water flow and solute transport in the environment. It is especially useful for estimating groundwater recharge based on the commonly used chloride mass balance (CMB) method. Strong spatial variability in chloride deposition in coastal areas is one difficulty encountered in appropriately applying the CMB approach. Furthermore, intensive vegetation clearance for agriculture, for example during the European settlement in many coastal areas of Australia, may have perturbed catchment chloride balance conditions for appropriate use in CMB applications. In order to deal with these issues, a high resolution chloride deposition map in the coastal region is needed. In this study, we examined geographic, orographic, and atmospheric factors influencing chloride deposition in the Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR), a coastal hilly area of approximately 9000 km2 spatial extent in South Australia, using partial correlation and regression analyses. The results indicate that coastal distance, and terrain aspect and slope are two most significant factors controlling chloride deposition. Coastal distance accounts for 65% spatial variability in chloride deposition, with terrain aspect and slope for 8%. The deposition gradient is about 0.08 gm-2 year-1 km-1 as one progresses inland. The results are incorporated into a published de-trended residual kriging approach (ASOADeK) to produce a 1 km×1 km resolution annual chloride deposition map and a bulk precipitation chloride concentration map. The average uncertainty of the deposition map is about 30% in the western MLR, and over 50% in the eastern MLR. The maps will form a very useful basis for examining catchment chloride balances for use in the CMB application in the study area.

Rising saline groundwater and fresh perched water have increased over 120 years (modern processes) in the Mediterranean region (>600 mm per annum) of the Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia. This was caused by replacement of native vegetation with pastures which use less water. Relationships between morphological features (mainly soil colour) and field measurements (e.g. watertable duration, salinity, and sodicity) were studied to 3 m at 12 sites down a representative toposequence of red-yellow-grey duplex soils (Palexeralfs-Natraqualfs), which are common from crest to flat in these catchments. Three soil systems were identified from groupings of soil features: (i) brown/grey topsoil system (e.g. A and E horizons), (ii) red subsoil system (e.g. Bt), and (iii) yellow/white subsoil system (e.g. Btng or Cg). A water duration index was developed to quantify water duration in the brown/grey topsoil system from perched water levels measured in 12 dipwells installed to 0.5 m. Nested piezometers were used to determine if unsaturated zones occurred within the subsoil systems. Measured water duration and levels were compared with the presence pr absence of inferred redoximorphic features. Most features in the brown/grey topsoil system and the red and yellow/white subsoil systems reflected differences in water duration. A conceptual model was constructed to match successive changes in hydrology with differences in soil morphology and thus distinguish between modern and relict (late Mesozoic) soil features that developed under past and present hydrological conditions.

Abstract. Numerous basin aquifers in arid and semi-arid regions of the world derive a significant portion of their recharge from adjacent mountains. Such recharge can effectively occur through either stream infiltration in the mountain-front zone (mountain-front recharge, MFR) or subsurface flow from the mountain (mountain-block recharge, MBR). While a thorough understanding of recharge mechanisms is critical for conceptualizing and managing groundwater systems, distinguishing between MFR and MBR is difficult. We present an approach that uses hydraulic head, chloride and electrical conductivity (EC) data to distinguish between MFR and MBR. These variables are inexpensive to measure, and may be readily available from hydrogeological databases in many cases. Hydraulic heads can provide information on groundwater flow directions and stream–aquifer interactions, while chloride concentrations and EC values can be used to distinguish between different water sources if these have a distinct signature. Such information can provide evidence for the occurrence or absence of MFR and MBR. This approach is tested through application to the Adelaide Plains basin, South Australia. The recharge mechanisms of this basin have long been debated, in part due to difficulties in understanding the hydraulic role of faults. Both hydraulic head and chloride (equivalently, EC) data consistently suggest that streams are gaining in the adjacent Mount Lofty Ranges and losing when entering the basin. Moreover, the data indicate that not only the Quaternary aquifers but also the deeper Tertiary aquifers are recharged through MFR and not MBR. It is expected that this finding will have a significant impact on the management of water resources in the region. This study demonstrates the relevance of using hydraulic head, chloride and EC data to distinguish between MFR and MBR.

The effect of annual applications of nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) on the yield, growth and nutrient status of Ixodia daisy (Ixodia achillaeioides ssp. alata) grown on a silty loam, was investigated in field experiments conducted during 1989-91 in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. The experimental design was a randomised block with 3 replications. The N and K treatments, at annual rates up to 200 kg N/ha and 150 kg K/ha, were applied as 2 equal side-dressings. The P treatments, at rates up to 200 kg/ha, were broadcast as 1 annual application. To assess plant nutrient status we sampled the fifth leaf below the growing terminal of 50 stems in October and whole stems at harvest. As rate of applied N increased, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in total biomass harvested, number of 3040 and 41-50 cm stems, total number of marketable stems, plant height and width. Annual N application rates of 75-110 kg/ha were required for 95% of maximum biomass yield and number of marketable stems. The application of K did not significantly (P>0.05) affect yield or plant growth. First and second order interactions between N, K and year were not significant. Plant growth and yield responses to P applied as superphosphate were inconsistent and the interaction between P and year was not significant (P>0.05). Coefficients of determination (r2) for relationships between N, K and P concentrations in the fifth leaf samples v. total biomass yield and total stem number, were in the range 0.13-0.52 for the combined 1990 and 1991 data. Based on sensitivity, reproducibility and occurrence of the Piper-Steenbjerg effect, we concluded that N, K or P concentrations in the fifth leaf sampled in October, or in whole stems at harvest, were not reliable indicators of the nutrient status of Ixodia daisy. The application of N and P did not affect the concentration of minor or micronutrients in the fifth leaf. In contrast, the application of K increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) concentrations by 14.3, 33.3 and 12.2%, respectively. For a high density planting (13,000 plants) we estimated that for N, P and K, 69.4, 6.2 and 83.2 kg/ha, respectively, are removed in marketable stems. The application of P increased extractable-P concentrations in the surface (0-15 cm) soil from 22 to 73 mg/kg. We suggest that for surface (0-15 cm) soils, extractable-P and extractable-K concentrations in the ranges 15-95 and 210-260 mg/kg, respectively, are adequate and indicate that a yield response to the application of these nutrients in fertiliser may not occur.