Skip to main content
NSF NEON, Operated by Battelle

Main navigation

  • About
    • NEON Overview
      • Vision and Management
      • Spatial and Temporal Design
      • History
    • About the NEON Biorepository
      • ASU Biorepository Staff
      • Contact the NEON Biorepository
    • Observatory Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Staff
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us

    About

  • Data
    • Data Portal
      • Data Availability Charts
      • API & GraphQL
      • Prototype Data
      • Externally Hosted Data
    • Data Collection Methods
      • Airborne Observation Platform (AOP)
      • Instrument System (IS)
        • Instrumented Collection Types
        • Aquatic Instrument System (AIS)
        • Terrestrial Instrument System (TIS)
      • Observational System (OS)
        • Observation Types
        • Observational Sampling Design
        • Sampling Schedules
        • Taxonomic Lists Used by Field Staff
        • Optimizing the Observational Sampling Designs
      • Protocols & Standardized Methods
    • Getting Started with NEON Data
      • neonUtilities for R and Python
      • Learning Hub
      • Code Hub
    • Using Data
      • Data Formats and Conventions
      • Released, Provisional, and Revised Data
      • Data Product Bundles
      • Usage Policies
      • Acknowledging and Citing NEON
      • Publishing Research Outputs
    • Data Notifications
    • NEON Data Management
      • Data Availability
      • Data Processing
      • Data Quality

    Data

  • Samples & Specimens
    • Biorepository Sample Portal at ASU
    • About Samples
      • Sample Types
      • Sample Repositories
      • Megapit and Distributed Initial Characterization Soil Archives
    • Finding and Accessing Sample Data
      • Species Checklists
      • Sample Explorer - Relationships and Data
      • Biorepository API
    • Requesting and Using Samples
      • Loans & Archival Requests
      • Usage Policies

    Samples & Specimens

  • Field Sites
    • Field Site Map and Info
    • Spatial Layers & Printable Maps

    Field Sites

  • Resources
    • Getting Started with NEON Data
    • Research Support Services
      • Field Site Coordination
      • Letters of Support
      • Mobile Deployment Platforms
      • Permits and Permissions
      • AOP Flight Campaigns
      • Research Support FAQs
      • Research Support Projects
    • Code Hub
      • neonUtilities for R and Python
      • Code Resources Guidelines
      • Code Resources Submission
      • NEON's GitHub Organization Homepage
    • Learning Hub
      • Tutorials
      • Workshops & Courses
      • Science Videos
      • Teaching Modules
    • Science Seminars and Data Skills Webinars
    • Document Library
    • Funding Opportunities

    Resources

  • Impact
    • Research Highlights
    • Papers & Publications
    • NEON in the News

    Impact

  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Research and Collaborations
      • Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion Lab
      • Collaboration with DOE BER User Facilities and Programs
      • EFI-NEON Ecological Forecasting Challenge
      • NEON Great Lakes User Group
      • NCAR-NEON-Community Collaborations
    • Advisory Groups
      • Science, Technology & Education Advisory Committee
      • Technical Working Groups
    • NEON Ambassador Program
      • Exploring NEON-Derived Data Products Workshop Series
    • Partnerships
    • Community Engagement
    • Work Opportunities

    Get Involved

  • My Account
  • Search

Search

Breadcrumb

  1. Data Collection Methods
  2. Soils
  3. Soil Descriptions
  4. Konza Prairie Biological Station NEON (KONZ) Soil Descriptions

Konza Prairie Biological Station NEON (KONZ) Soil Descriptions

Distributed Soils Reports

Pedon Descriptions

Pit‐level observations and field measurements reported using the standard NRCS format. They contain volume estimates for coarse fragments > 20 mm where applicable.

Download

Site Level Plot Summary

A narrative summary that places the sampled soil pedons in the broader context of soils and geomorphology for the entire NEON site.

Download

Megapit Images

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 0-200 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 0-22 cm

soil profile

D05 KONZ megapit soil profile 5-31 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 28-68 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 62-100 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 89-136 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 126-171 cm

soil profile

D06 KONZ megapit soil profile 165-200 cm

Download All Images

Megapit Pedon Description

Print Date Jul 22 2015
Description Date Jun 24 2014
Describer J. Anderson, B. Wehmueller, A. Baldwin, C. Remley
Site ID S2014KS161502
Site Note This site is the representative soil for the NEON instrumentation located in the Konza Prairie Biological Experiment Station and represents the sites that will have instrumentation installed.
Pedon ID S2014KS161502
Pedon Note There was weathered limestone being exposed just below 2 meters. This is likely the Schroyer Limestone member of the Wreford Limestone formation in the Chase Group. The lithologic discountinity at 132 cm is based on the chert fragments in the material that appears to be reworked loess. This site is a taxadjunct to Konza since it has a clay decrease and won't meet the "pale" requirements.
Lab Source ID KSSL
Lab Pedon # 14N0855
Soil Name as Described/Sampled Konza
Classification Fine, smectitic, mesic Pachic Udertic Argiustolls
Pedon Type taxadjunct to the series
Pedon Purpose laboratory sampling site
Taxon Kind series
Physiographic Division Interior Plains
Physiographic Province Central Lowland Province
Physiographic Section Dissected till plains
State Physiographic Area Flint Hills Upland
Geomorphic Setting on shoulder of interfluve of hillslope on upland
Upslope Shape convex
Cross Slope Shape convex
Particle Size Control Section 10 to 60 cm.
Description origin NASIS
State Kansas
County Riley
MLRA 76 -- Bluestem Hills
Soil Survey Area KS161 -- Riley County, Kansas
5-SAL -- Salina, Kansas
Map Unit 4625 -- Dwight-Irwin complex, 1 to 3 percent slopes
Quad Name Swede Creek, Kansas
Std Latitude 39.1007100
Std Longitude -96.5622500
Latitude 39 degrees 6 minutes 2.55 seconds north
Longitude 96 degrees 33 minutes 44.10 seconds west
Datum WGS84
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 710803 meters
UTM Northing 4330782 meters
Primary Earth Cover Grass/herbaceous cover
Secondary Earth Cover Grassland rangeland
Parent Material loess over reworked loess over residuum weathered from cherty limestone
Description database KSSL
Diagnostic Features mollic epipedon 0 to 66 cm.
argillic horizon 10 to 132 cm.
redox concentrations 66 to 200 cm.
lithologic discontinuity 132 to 132 cm.
lithologic discontinuity 164 to 164 cm.
Slope (%) 2.0
Elevation (meters) 417.0
Aspect (deg) 45
Drainage Class moderately well
Horizon Details

A--0 to 10 centimeters (0.0 to 3.9 inches); silt loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2), moist; moderate fine granular structure; friable; very fine roots throughout and fine roots throughout and coarse roots throughout; noneffervescent; abrupt wavy boundary. Lab sample # 14N04350. 3 bulk density clods sampled, no natural fabric clods sampled

Bt1--10 to 26 centimeters (3.9 to 10.2 inches); silty clay loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2), moist; weak medium prismatic parts to moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; very fine roots throughout and fine roots throughout; 30 percent 10YR 3/2), moist, clay films on all faces of peds; noneffervescent; clear wavy boundary. Lab sample # 14N04351. 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

Bt2--26 to 66 centimeters (10.2 to 26.0 inches); silty clay loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3), moist; weak coarse prismatic parts to moderate medium subangular blocky structure; firm; fine roots throughout and coarse roots throughout; 20 percent 10YR 3/2), moist, clay films on all faces of peds; noneffervescent; clear smooth boundary. Lab sample # 14N04352. 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

Btkss--66 to 89 centimeters (26.0 to 35.0 inches); silty clay, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2), moist; weak coarse prismatic parts to moderate medium subangular blocky structure; very firm; fine roots throughout; 2 percent 10YR 3/3), moist, slickensides (pedogenic) and 20 percent 10YR 3/3), moist, clay films on all faces of peds; 5 percent coarse irregular manganese coatings with sharp boundaries between peds and 10 percent medium irregular 7.5YR 4/4), moist, and 7.5YR 4/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron with diffuse boundaries in matrix; 3 percent fine threadlike carbonate masses with clear boundaries between peds and 2 percent medium irregular weakly cemented carbonate nodules with sharp boundaries between peds; noneffervescent; clear smooth boundary. Lab sample # 14N04353. 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

Btky--89 to 132 centimeters (35.0 to 52.0 inches); silty clay loam, grayish brown (10YR 5/2), moist; weak coarse prismatic parts to moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; fine roots throughout; 5 percent 10YR 4/1), moist, clay films on surfaces along root channels; 3 percent medium irregular manganese coatings with sharp boundaries between peds and 10 percent coarse irregular 7.5YR 4/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron with clear boundaries in matrix; 5 percent fine threadlike gypsum masses with clear boundaries between peds and 2 percent medium irregular carbonate masses with clear boundaries between peds; noneffervescent; clear wavy boundary. Lab sample # 14N04354. 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

2BCy--132 to 164 centimeters (52.0 to 64.6 inches); silty clay loam, brown (7.5YR 4/3), moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; friable; 2 percent gypsum coats on all faces of peds; 5 percent fine irregular manganese coatings with sharp boundaries between peds and 10 percent medium irregular 7.5YR 4/6), moist, and 7.5YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron with diffuse boundaries in matrix; 3 percent fine threadlike gypsum masses with clear boundaries between peds; 2 percent nonflat rounded indurated 2 to 5-millimeter chert fragments; noneffervescent; clear wavy boundary. Lab sample # 14N04355. 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

3Bt--164 to 200 centimeters (64.6 to 78.7 inches); silty clay, reddish brown (5YR 4/4), moist; moderate coarse prismatic parts to moderate medium subangular blocky structure; very firm; 60 percent 5YR 3/2), moist, clay films on all faces of peds; 10 percent medium irregular manganese coatings with sharp boundaries between peds and 15 percent coarse irregular 7.5YR 4/6), moist, and 7.5YR 5/6), moist, masses of oxidized iron with diffuse boundaries in matrix; 5 percent nonflat rounded indurated 2 to 5-millimeter cherty limestone fragments; noneffervescent. Lab sample # 14N04356. fragments in this horizon are well weathered and rounded, 3 bulk density clods sampled, 2 natural fabric clods sampled

Credits: This megapit soil pedon description was generously created by USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service staff, with particular thanks to Larry West, Jon Hempel, and numerous field staff.

NSF NEON, Operated by Battelle

Follow Us:

Join Our Newsletter

Get updates on events, opportunities, and how NEON is being used today.

Subscribe Now

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Careers
  • Code of Conduct

Copyright © Battelle, 2026

The National Ecological Observatory Network is a major facility fully funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.