Clay Accumulation at Textural Boundaries in Sand Putting Greens.

Illuvial bands of clay were observed in the putting greens of a golf course in Vancleave, MS. These layers occurred at the interface of sand and gravel, leading to reduced water infiltration and anaerobic conditions in the root zone. In this study, soil profiles of a putting green were excavated and sampled along a topographic transect. Four of the five profiles had an accumulation of clay just above the gravel layer. Clay content was greater in lower topographic locations of the putting green. The exception was a profile located directly above a drain pipe, where rapid drainage presumably prevented clay from accumulating. Multivariate analysis of x-ray fluorescence spectra showed that the clay came from neither the compacted subgrade soil, nor the calcined clay amendment that was used to build the root zone. The clay likely originated as a contaminant in the original construction mix. This study provides the first evidence of clay illuviation at the interface of sand and gravel in putting green root zones. This study also provides an example of rapid pedogenesis, where soil formation is accelerated by anthropogenic factors.