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Thesis
Late Neogene to quaternary soil evolution across relict terraces in Northwest Florida
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2019
Abstract
Delineation of relict terraces along the Northwest Florida coast can facilitate investigation of soil development within the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) coastal plain. Previous work to define terraces has primarily relied on topographic studies with little consensus on the number and extent of terraces. Research investigating soil development within the GOM coastal plain is also limited. The present study utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a LiDAR derived Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to apply a Surface Classification Model (SCM) for selection of terrace surfaces based on slope and surface roughness. The SCM output was analyzed for peaks in pixel count by elevation. Five terraces were defined between the following elevation ranges: 0-3.6 m, 4-9 m, 16-27 m, 29.5-51 m, and 57-64 m. Soil properties known to exhibit time related trends were analyzed across the delineated terraces. At increasing elevations, and presumably ages, soils exhibited a thickening of both the solum and Bt horizon, an increase in clay content, and a decrease in organic matter content. Bt horizons were observed at increasingly greater depths, with the exception of terrace 5, which was at shallower depth. Likely due to erosion associated with the high elevation and greater exposure of the surface.
Details
- Title
- Late Neogene to quaternary soil evolution across relict terraces in Northwest Florida
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- John D Morgan (Committee Member) - University of West Florida, Hal Marcus College of Science and EngineeringZhiyong Hu (Committee Member) - University of West Florida, Earth and Environmental SciencesJohan Liebens (Committee Chair) - University of West Florida, Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
- Publisher
- University of West Florida; Pensacola, Florida :
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 124 pages
- Copyright
- © Chelsea Joel Randa
- Identifiers
- 99380090746106600
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida