The Geumcheon series are members of the mixed, mesic family of Aquic Udipsamments [Hydragric Anthrosols (Eutric Oxyaquic Arenic) classified by WRB]. These soils have thin dark grayish brown sandy loam Ap horizons and very deep dark yellowish brown or yellowish brown with some gray mottled sand or loamy sand C horizons. They are developed on alluvial plains, river sides, and levees and are derived from coarse textured alluvial materials.

Typifying Pedon : Geumcheon sandy loam-paddy rice (Field description Seonsan Gun profile No. 18; colors are for moist soil).

  Slope: 0-2%

  Elevation:  m above m.s.l.

  Soil moisture regime: Udic (Anthraquic)

  Temperature regime: Mesic

  Parent material: Alluvium

  Diagnostic features: An ochric epipedon from a depth of 0 to 10 cm (An anthraquic horizon from a depth of 0 to 30 cm and a hydragric horizon from a depth of 30 to 70 cm by WRB).

Ap - 0 to 10 cm. Dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) to olive brown (2.5Y 4/3) sandy loam; structureless, massive; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine roots and micas; abrupt smooth boundary; pH 6.0.

C1 - 10 to 30 cm. Grayish brown to light olive brown (2.5Y 5/3) loamy sand; many fine to medium prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) and yellowish red (5YR 4/6) mottles on the upper part of this horizons; structureless, single grained; loose, non sticky and non plastic; very few very fine roots; mica as above; clear smooth boundary; pH 6.5.

C2 - 30 to 70 cm. Pale brown to light yellowish brown (10YR 6/2) sand; few medium faint light brown gray (2.5Y 6/2) mottles; structureless, single grained; loose, non sticky and non plastic; micas as above; gradual smooth boundary: pH 6.5.

C3 - 70 to 120 cm. Very pale brown (10YR 7/4) sand; few medium faint light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) mottles; structureless, single grained; loose, non sticky and non plastic; micas as above; pH 6.7.

Type Location: Approximately 700 meters south-east of Bugog Dong, Gumi city, Gyeongsangbug Do.

Range in Characteristics: These soils have ochric epipedons. Depth to bed rock is more than 3 meters. Base saturation is more than 50 percent. Reaction is medium to slightly acid. The thickness of Ap horizons ranges from 5 to 25 cm. Ap horizons are grayish brown, dark grayish brown or olive gray loam or loamy sand with yellowish brown mottles. C horizons are stratified yellowish brown, dark yellowish brown, brownish yellow or grayish brown coarse sand, loamy sand or fine sand.

Competing Series and Their Differentiae: These include the Myeongji, Hwabong, Bonryang, Jangcheon and Sindab soils. The Myeongji soils have moderately thick dark colored A horizons.  The Hwabong soils are better drained. The Bonryang soils are better drained and have coarse loamy over sandy texture. The Jangcheon soils are finer sand particles. The Sindab soils are poorly drainage.

Setting: The Geumcheon soils occur along the stream river channels and levees. They are derived from coarse textured alluvial materials. Slopes are commonly 0 to 2 percent.

Principal Associated Soils: The Geumcheon soils are associated with the Hwabong, Jungdong, Nagdong, Bonryang and Seoggye soils. These soils occur in similar physiographic positions.

Drainage and Permeability: Moderately well drained. Permeability is rapid. Runoff is very slow.

Use and Vegetation: Most of Geumcheon soils are used for rice paddy. Some areas are used for upland crops.

Distribution and Extent: The Geumcheon soils are of small extent and occur along the river sides throughout the country.

Series Established: Seonsan Gun, Gyeongsangbug Do, 1974.

Laboratory data sheets of typifying pedon.