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Glauconite (Greensand)

Glauconite (Greensand). Fred H. Bowers, Ph.D., Princeton Soil Institute www.PrincetonSoilInstitute.com. A Peculiar Soil Constituent. What is Glauconite?. Called Greensand Marl Sand-size particles or pellets (See figures below)

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Glauconite (Greensand)

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  1. Glauconite (Greensand) Fred H. Bowers, Ph.D., Princeton Soil Institutewww.PrincetonSoilInstitute.com A Peculiar Soil Constituent

  2. What is Glauconite? • Called Greensand Marl • Sand-size particles or pellets (See figures below) • Normal sand sized particles consist of discrete minerals such as quartz, orthoclase, calcite, etc. • Glauconite sand-size particles are made up of relatively stable pellets of clay-size mica (Clay). • The pellets generally range from about 0.5 to 0.05 mm in diameter with some being as much as 4 mm cemented with clay-size siderite. • Produces good structure when undisturbed

  3. Distribution • New Jersey has some 325,000 acres of greensand (glauconite-bearing) soils

  4. Water and Nutrient Characteristics Water Holding Character NUTRIENTS: Contains up to about 7-8% potash (K2O) and, in some instances, a little more (Hower, l.c.). Table 1. Quantity of Moisture Retained in Various Soils and Greensand Deposits at Two Tension Levels (unpublished data of Prof. N. A. Willits).

  5. Effects of Glauconite on Septic System Functionality • Tricky Evaluations (due to texture by hand) • Mottling • Enhanced due to moisture holding • Oxidation of reduced iron on peds • Construction • Smearing when constructing with backhoe • Do it by hand • Clogging and chemical changes • Susceptible to deflocculation from salts from water softener backwash

  6. Soils of Glauconite Areas • Freehold • Collington • Colts Neck • Adelphia • Marlton • Kresson

  7. How to Ensure a Functioning Septic System in Glauconite • Standard septic tank fields • Mottling can suggest SHWT but not be accurate. Look at soil series. Look at associated vegetation; Obtain a soil scientist when in doubt • Design disposal field as if it were clay (K class K0 for under-drain requirements) • Do not smear or alter the glauconite. Dig trenches by hand. • Drip irrigation into the upper soil horizons that avoid flooding • Lay down a layer of ASTM 33 sand on the glauconite to form the biomat and form transition to clay • Avoid using water softeners

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