Specific Surface Area of Soils Across Geomorphic Regions of North Carolina.

Soil specific surface area (SSA) strongly influences a number of soil characteristics, including hydrology, fertility, and engineering properties. Despite this, minimal research has been conducted on pedologic influences on SSA across geomorphic regions.  This research aims to investigate spatial variations in SSA across the three geologic provinces in North Carolina, USA. Samples will be collected at multiple depths within the profile at sixteen sites along a transect going from the Coastal Plain on the shores of the Atlantic to the high mountains in the western part of the state.  The samples will be analyzed to determine SSA, particle size distribution, particle density, and organic matter content. Additionally, several common methods of SSA determination will be compared to assess their suitability for testing soils with differing properties.