1. Differences in soil organic matter and soil texture in newly constructed experimental wetlands
Catherine Bodnar
Sam Merrett
Becca Brooke

2. EDIC Wetland Project 1 No
Planting 2
Low
Intensity
Planting 3
High
Intensity
Planting 4 No
Planting 5
Low
Intensity
Planting 6
High
Intensity
Planting
The objective of the EDIC study is to determine which of three planting treatments best restores function in constructed wetlands

3. Study Objectives:
Collect baseline data on SOM and texture to assess future effects of treatments
Determine how construction affected SOM and texture

4. The Importance of Texture and Soil Organic Matter
Both soil texture and soil organic matter are important to other soil properties and can be a good indicator of how an ecosystem is functioning

5. Methods: Sample CollectionB C D E F G 1
6 wetland cells
225 Ft. X 115 Ft.
Data set #1:
SOM = Green X’s
12 samples/cell
36 cores/cell
Texture = yellow circles
4 samples/cell
12 cores/cell
Data set #2:
SOM = Black Oval
5 samples/cell
15 cores/cell 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

6. Methods: Sample Analyses
Texture
Removed 50 g from oven-dried sample
Mixed in blender to separate soil particles
Took hydrometer readings to estimate percentages of sand, silt, and clay
Soil Organic Matter
Hammered baked soil for
further homogenization
Weighed soil and crucible
Incinerated at 400ºC
Used difference in weight of soil before and after incineration to estimate percent SOM

7. Soil Texture Results
SAND
*statistical difference in silt and clay %, not in sand %
*East to West gradient
CLAY
SILT

8. SOM Results *Statistical difference between cells
*East to west SOM gradient

9. SOM and Texture Distribution1 2 3 4 5 6
East Group
West Group
There IS a statistically significant difference for
SOM, Silt and Clay between the western and eastern groups, and NOT among group members

10. Implications SOM and Silt Clay?? Researchers will have to consider:1 4 2 5 3 6
SOM and Silt No
Planting
Low Intensity
Planting
High Intensity
Planting
Clay?? 1 4 2 5 3 6 No
Planting
Low Intensity
Planting
High Intensity
Planting
Researchers will have to consider:
*There is statistical difference between some replicates
*Measured variables effect other soil properties

11. Wetland Construction Didn’t Change Measured Variables
Sabel et. al.
(SOM)
Soil Survey Data
(texture)
MkA: Mahoning-Tiro silt loam
TrA: Trumball

12. Special Thanks To:
John Petersen
Brad Masi
Josh Smith