SITE CHARACTERISTICS, MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SELECTED ORTSTEIN SOILS FROM THE MARITIME PROVINCES

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Abstract
Ortstein horizons at two sites in the Maritime Provinces were found to be strongly developed and continuous in poorly drained locations in the observation trenches, and intermittent at well drained locations. Roots did not penetrate the ortstein horizons but most ortstein clods were permeable to water, with saturated hydraulic conductivities ranging from about 0.1 to 31 cm/h. The unconfined compression strength of dry or moist ortstein clods usually exceeded 5 kg/cm2 and this is suggested as a limit to aid in separating weakly cemented materials from ortstein. The general environment of ortstein and its significance as related to land use are discussed.