A landscape contractor purchased 10 dump-truck loads of “topsoil” excavated from a black, richappearing soil in a coastal wetland. Before accepting the shipment, samples of the soil had been sent to a...

A landscape contractor purchased 10 dump-truck loads of “topsoil” excavated from a black, richappearing soil in a coastal wetland. Before accepting the shipment, samples of the soil had been sent to a lab to be sure they met the specified properties (silt loam texture, pH 6 to 6.5) for the topsoil to be used in a landscaping job. The lab had reported that the texture and pH were in the specified range, so the topsoil was installed and an expensive landscape of beautiful plants established. Unfortunately, within a few months all the plants began to die. Replacement plants also died. The topsoil was again tested. It was still a silt loam, but now its pH was 3.5. Explain why this pH change likely occurred and suggest appropriate management solutions.