Type 1 topsoil represents dominant Chernozemic soils native to the City of Edmonton and consists of loam, sandy loam, silt loam to sandy clay loam textured topsoil developed on typically fine textured lacustrine and morainal subsoils soils in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion.
Topsoil Type 1 has a maximum combined clay and silt content of 60%. Type 1 soils have high organic matter of 4 to 10% with a total organic content range of 2.2 to 3.4%, total nitrogen of 0.33% and a C:N ratio of around 11:1 (AAF 2003). These soils also have soil pH within the normal range of 6.0 to 7.5 and are non-sodic and non-saline.
Topsoil Type 1 is compatible with the following end uses that do not require specific management:
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Parks, Playgrounds, School Sites (excluding Standard Sports Fields) (1a);
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Greenways (1b);
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Public Utility Lots (1c);
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Standard Sports Fields (School Sites) (first 300 mm, 450 mm or 500 mm) (1d);
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Roads, Boulevards, Medians (3a, 3b, 3c);
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Urban Hardscape (4a, 4b); and
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Naturalization (7).
It is important to note that the City has variable native topsoil textures due to soil formation on different landforms and parent material. There are inclusions of areas within the City of Edmonton where native topsoil is heavier textured (e.g., silty clay, clay loam and silty clay loam) and these have to be considered on a site by site basis. Therefore, Type 1 topsoil may not be representative of a specific location within the City.