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5.4. Wetland Sediment Characterization and Sampling, Field Form No. 4 (Appendix A)

5.4.a Card 1: Record wetland identification number (boxes 2-8), date (boxes 9-14), observer (boxes 15-17), transect (box 18), and quadrat number of transect (box 19) information. One field form is to be used for each quadrat location.

5.4.b. To allow characterization of soils in conjunction with vegetative zones, soil characterizations are to be determined near (or within) vegetation quadrats along transect 1. Transect 1 will be established by crew leaders from the soil and vegetation crew (Section 4.4.b.). Locations of vegetative quadrats will have been marked with a piece of PVC-pipe. Recorded on this marker will be the transect and quadrat number (Section 4.4.c)

5.4.c. Card 2: Within each quadrat determine the soil series (box 20), family (box 21), subgroup (box 22), and great group (box 23) using Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 1975).

5.4.d. Card 3: Record the land surface configuration/physiography (box 20; i.e., glaciated plains or end moraine), Land form (box 21; i.e., depressional or riverine), % slope of transect 1 (box 22), and the distance from wetland boundary along transect 1 to the watershed divide (box 23).

5.4.e. Card 4: Record the parent material (box 20; from county soil survey), depth to water table (cm; box 21), water depth (cm; box 22), and % ground cover (box 23).

5.4.f. Card 5: Record the drainage class (box 20; i.e., wet-meadow, shallow marsh, deep marsh), frequency of flooding/ponding (box 21; i.e., seasonal or semipermanent), sediment depth (box 22), and other current conditions (box 23; e.g., saline deposits, calcareous deposits, and miscellaneous observations).

5.4.g. Card 6. In each quadrat location along transect 1 perform a mini-profile description. Record the soil horizon (box 20), horizon depth (cm; box 21), matrix color (box 22), color of redox concentrations [Fe mass (box 23); nodule (box 24); pore lining (box 25)], color of redox depletions [matrix (box 26); pores (box 27)], textural class (box 28), structure [grade (box 29); shape (box 30); and size (31)], and reaction (box 32).

5.4.h. Card 7: Measure litter depth (cm; box 20), and collect a litter core sample using a 2 inch diameter litter core sampler. Place litter samples in plastic whirl packs. Label (pre-printed adhesive labels) the whirl pack with the following information.

Litter samples should be grouped by wetland and stored in a cooler with ice. Litter samples are to be transported to NPWRC and stored in the walk-in freezer until processed. Litter samples will be dried to a constant weight in an oven and weighed to the nearest mg.

5.4.i. Using NTCHS indicators, delineate the hydric soil boundary along transect 1. Mark the hydric soil boundary with a pin flag labeled NT. Determine the linear distance between the hydric soil (i.e., NT) and vegetation boundary (i.e., VE; this boundary will have been marked by the vegetation crew, section 4.4.b.). Record the first indicator nearest to the wetland basin in box 21 and record the second indicator in box 23. Record the linear distance (m) between these two boundaries in box 22.

5.4.j. In the wet-meadow zone along transect 1, record for each horizon (box 20) the number of pores and roots per square cm (box 21), consistence (box 22), and structure (box 23).

5.4.k. Within each quadrat location along transect 1, collect a duplicate set of sediment samples using a dutch auger. Segment cores at the 0-15, 15-30, and 30-60 cm depths. In some instances, a visible discontinuity (either color or textural) will be observed. In those cases, the cores should be segmented at the discontinuity and the depth (cm) at which the discontinuity was noted should be recorded from below the surface. Place segmented cores into plastic whirl packs. Label (pre-printed adhesive labels) the whirl pack with the following information:

5.4.l. Cores should be grouped by wetland and vegetative zone and stored a cooler with ice. Send one set of sediment samples to each of the following:

            Dr. Alan Olness
            USDA-ARS-MWA
            North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory
            803 Iowa Avenue
            Morris, MN 56267

            Dr. Jimmy Richardson
            North Dakota State University
            Soil Science Dept.
            Walster hall Rm 106
            Fargo, ND 58105

5.4.m. Sediment samples sent to Dr. Alan Olness will be analyzed for inorganic carbon, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Sediment samples sent to Dr. Jimmy Richardson will be analyzed for phosphorous, 1:1 electro-conductivity, and particle size. Standard laboratory procedures for processing sediment samples will be provided by Dr's. Alan Olness and Jimmy Richardson.

5.4.n. Following procedures similar to 5.4.k., collect sediment samples using a dutch auger from all quadrat locations (transects 1-4). Segment cores at the 0-15, 15-30, and 30-60 cm depths and composite segmented cores by wetland zone. In some instances, a visible discontinuity (either color or textural) will be observed. In those cases, the cores should be segmented at the discontinuity and the depth (cm) at which the discontinuity was noted should be recorded from below the surface. Place composited samples into plastic whirl packs. Label (pre-printed adhesive labels) the whirl pack with the following information:

5.4.o. Cores should be grouped by wetland and stored a cooler with ice. Send sediment are to be sent to:

            
            Dr. Alan Olness
            USDA-ARS-MWA
            North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory
            803 Iowa Avenue			
            Morris, MN 56267

5.4.p. Sediment samples sent to Dr. Alan Olness will be analyzed for inorganic carbon, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Standard laboratory procedures for processing sediment samples will be provided by Dr. Alan Olness.