ARIDISOLS

ARIZONA IDAHO

Typical Environments:

Arid or dry desert regions Western United States Australia Argentina Portions of Africa Middle East

Regions with little precipitation!!

Used mainly for range, wildlife, and recreation

Aridisol Distribution in U.S.(8.3%)

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Contain CaCO3

Dry most of the year = limited leaching

Some subsurface horizon development (A, Bk, C is typical sequence)

Subsurface horizons with accumulation of clays, CaCO3, silica, salts, and/or gypsum (these materials leached from soils of moister climates)

Silica-cemented hardpans (duripans)

Not enough precipitation for normal agricultureSalt build-up (salinization) is dangerous when used for irrigated agriculture

DIAGNOSTIC HORIZONS:

Ochric Epipedon

Argillic or Cambic subsurface (B) horizon

Aridisol Profiles

XERIC ARGIDURID--SOUTHERN IDAHO

TYPIC AQUISALID—CENTRAL NEVADA