March, 1998                                          SCSB#391

 Each participating state compiled mineralogical data obtained from samples of control sections of extensive soils throughout the state. The data were from various studies conducted over a relatively long period of time for various objectives. An example test mineral map, legend, and soil mineral composition of map unit components were developed for one state in the region. A mineralogy composition code based on mineral dominance was adopted and states used this code to report mineral composition and to form criteria for mineral map units.
 

Soil mineral map units of participating states and state soil mineral maps were submitted to a member of the committee who compiled and developed a mosaic map. All map unit composition codes were entered into a database for rapid retrieval and to aid sorting into soil mineral assemblages. The maps were compiled by changing map scales to the proposed publication scale and all lines were transferred to a composite soil mineral map of the southern states. Each individual state legend was retained at this stage. The composite map and a sorted list of mineral assemblages and state map unit symbols were distributed to participating states for additional editing. When these were returned, mineral assemblages were defined from composition and relative quantitative rankings submitted. A nomenclature was devised using names and elements from various sources. Soil mineral assemblage map units were designed by using single assemblage names or by grouping assemblages into associations. Map detail was standardized and state boundary matches were resolved using suggestions from participating states, MLRA maps, state soil association maps, and a regional soil map. In addition, the most recent NRI files were searched for dominant soils in each MLRA. The results of this sort were distributed to states and were used by state participants to help correlate mineral assemblage across several state boundaries.
 

A draft of the soil mineral assemblage map, legend, and a key to mineral assemblages (Table 1) were returned to the states for review. The final review by the entire regional committee was conducted as part of a regional committee meeting. Finalized delineations, mineral assemblage definitions, map unit descriptions, and data were compiled by the editors.