Characteristics and classification of three granite-derived soils in peninsular Thailand

The Phuket, Thung Wa and Huai Pong soils of this study form the Phuket catena and are extensive in Narathiwat province in the southern part of peninsular Thailand where they were studied in the field and sampled. The Phuket soils on the higher-lying positions and the Huai Pong soils on the nearly-level, lower positions, have developed argillic horizons and are Ultisols. The Thung Wa soils, which occur on intermediate positions and receive sediments from upslope, have cambic horizons and are classified as Inceptisols.All soils formed from Late Cretaceous or Early Tertiary granite or from sediments derived frome these granites under a tropical rain forest climate. They contain kaolinite as the predominant clay mineral and are highly leached, with base saturation of less than 35% in their B horizons. Cation exchange capacities are less than 6 mequiv. per 100 g soil and exchange acidity and exchangeable aluminium are high. Field and thin-section studies as well as particle-size analysis indicate considerable clay translocation from A to B horizons in the Phuket and Huai Pong soils and little clay movement in the Thung Wa soils.     

Influences of quaternary climatic changes on processes of soil development on desert loess deposits of the Cima volcanic field, California

Soils formed in loess are evidence of both relict and buried landscapes developed on Pliocene-to-latest Pleistocene basalt flows of the Cima volcanic field in the eastern Mojave Desert, California. The characteristics of these soils change systematically and as functions of the age and surface morphology of the lava flow. Four distinct phases of soil development are recognized: phase 1 - weakly developed soils on flows less than 0.18 M.y. old; phase 2 - strongly developed soils with thick argillic horizons on 0.18 – 0.7 M.y. old flows; phase 3 - strongly developed soils with truncated argillic horizons massively impregnated by carbonate on 0.7 to 1.1 M.y. old flows; and phase 4 - degraded soils with petrocalcic rubble on Pliocene flows. A critical aspect of the development of stage 1 soils is the evolution of a vesicular A horizon which profoundly affects the infiltration characteristics of the loess parent materials. Laboratory studies show that secondary gypsum and possibly other salt accumulation probably occurred during the period of phase 1 soil development. Slight reddening of the interiors of peds from vesicular-A horizons of phase 1 soils and presence of weakly developed B horizons indicates a slight degree of in situ chemical alteration. However, clay and Fe oxide contents of these soils show that these constituents, as well as carbonates and soluble salts, are incorporated as eolian dust. In contrast to phase 1 soils, chemical and mineralogical analysis of argillic horizons of phase 2 soils indicate proportionally greater degrees of in-situ chemical alteration. These data, the abundant clay films, and the strong reddening in the thick argillic horizons suggest that phase 2 and phase 3 soils formed during long periods of time and periodically were subjected to leaching regimes more intense than those that now exist. Flow-age data and soil-stratigraphic evidence also indicate that several major loess-deposition events occurred during the past 1.0 M.y. Loess events are attributed to past changes in climate, such as the Pleistocene-to-Holocene climatic change, that periodically caused regional desiccation of pluvial lakes, reduction of vegetational density, and exposure of loose, unconsolidated fine materials. During times of warmer interglacial climates, precipitation infiltrates to shallower depths than during glacial periods. Extensive, saline playas which developed in the Mojave Desert during the Holocene are a likely source of much of the carbonates and soluble salts that are accumulating at shallow depths both in phase 1 soils and in the formerly noncalcareous, nongypsiferous argillic horizons of phase 2 and 3 soils.     

Parent material influence on soil distribution and genesis in a Paleudult and Kandiudult complex,southeastern USA

Parent materials greatly influence soil development and the distribution of soils on the southeastern US Coastal Plain. We examined the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of 11 pedons in a 1-ha plot on the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA. Uniformity of parent materials was assessed by sand grain size characteristics. The soils have sandy epipedons of variable thickness and argillic horizons of variable texture. Six of the pedons also have kandic horizons. They are classified (US Soil Taxonomy) in Psammentic, Grossarenic, Arenic, and Typic subgroups of Paleudults and Kandiudults. Loamy pedons possess argillic horizons with two distinct increases in clay and greater differences between eluvial and illuvial horizons than sandy pedons. The upper boundary of the argillic horizon is approximately parallel to the present geomorphic surface, suggesting that it is associated with the contemporary surface. Discontinuities, identified by changes in sand grain size ratios and plots of the third (skewness) and fourth (kurtosis) moments of sand grain distribution, roughly correspond to the bottom of the solum. Our data suggest that there are both eolian and fluvial components in the solum, whereas subjacent horizons are completely derived from fluvial deposits. Sandier pedons have greater gibbsite/kaolinite ratios, possibly because greater permeability has enhanced leaching and Si loss. Our data suggest parent materials largely control soil distribution over this plot.     

Lateral flow in loamy to sandy Kandiudults of the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia (USA)

Interest in site-specific agronomic management in intensively cropped regions necessitates characterization of subsurface water movement for efficient water management (irrigation timing) and control of off-site agrichemical movement. Soils formed in fluvial sediments in portions of the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia (USA) are extensively used for peanut, cotton, and corn production. Certain proximate soils in this region possess contrasting subsoil properties, and it was hypothesized that these differences would have major effects on water redistribution across the landscape. This could be important in irrigation management, where soils possessing increased impedance to vertical flow could require decreased irrigation as opposed to soils without vertical flow restrictions. At a site near Plains, GA. (USA), hydraulic properties of soils with differences in overlying sand thickness and contrasting argillic horizon textures (sandy vs. loamy) were evaluated. The soils were predominantly in loamy and sandy families of Typic, Arenic, and Grossarenic Kandiudults. Laboratory measurements, field monitoring of matric potentials under simulated and natural rainfall, and modeling (VS2DT) were utilized to evaluate soil hydraulic properties. Reduction in vertical K_s occurred in horizons containing higher clay (argillic horizon). Changes in tension and build ups in hydraulic gradients associated with infiltration and redistribution events existed above and within horizons with low K_s. Evidence suggested there was less groundwater recharge occurring in the loamy than in the sandy pedons, suggesting more pronounced lateral flow occurred in the loamier soils. Model simulations of water movement across a slightly sloping (1%) simulated landscape indicated lateral gradients of flow existed within the solum of these soils. Analyses of tracer (Br) movement suggested a very slight lateral redistribution occurred within a relatively short monitoring period within the sandy pedon's Bt1 horizon, and the Bt2 and Bt3 horizons of the loamy pedon. Evidence suggested both loamy and sandy argillic horizons slightly, but not overwhelmingly, induced lateral flow on these landscapes.     

Chemistry of pedogenesis in Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains

Five soil pedons–two aquic and two udic Haplustalfs and one petrocalcic Natrustalf–from the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain of Western Uttar Pradesh were investigated to evaluate the pedogenetic processes. Sand/silt ratios indicate that parent material discontinuities are insignificant. Higher K content and lower SiO₂/R₂O₃ ratios of the non-clay fractions in Bt, rather than in the A, horizons suggest maximum weathering at or near the surface.
An almost linear relationship between decrease in molar SiO₂/R₂O₃ and % increase in clay to about 100cm depth in all the pedons, presence of clay argillans in Bt horizons (where % clay, fine/coarse clay ratio and bulk density values are greatest), all indicate that the development of argillic horizons in these soils was due, at least partly, to lessivage of clay. Fe in clay fractions decreases with depth whilst Al increases, but in the fine earth both increase steadily with depth. This, together with crystalline iron concretions in the lower Bt horizons, suggests that in Haplustalfs these horizons are gaining clay by neoformation/ reorganization of illuviated constituents, especially A1₂O₃.     

Light Gray Surface-Gleyed Loamy Sandy Soils of the Northern Part of Tambov Plain: Agroecology,Properties, and Diagnostics

Light gray soils of Tambov oblast mainly develop from sandy and loamy sandy parent materials; these are the least studied soils in this region. Despite their coarse texture, these soils are subjected to surface waterlogging. They are stronger affected by the agrogenic degradation in comparison with chernozems and dark gray soils. Morphology, major elements of water regime, physical properties, and productivity of loamy sandy light gray soils with different degrees of gleyzation have been studied in the northern part of Tambov Plain in order to substantiate the appropriate methods of their management. The texture of these soils changes at the depth of 70–100 cm. The upper part is enriched in silt particles (16–30%); in the lower part, the sand content reaches 80–85%. In the nongleyed variants, middle-profile horizons contain thin iron-cemented lamellae (pseudofibers); in surface-gleyed variants, iron nodules are present in the humus horizon. The removal of clay from the humus horizon and its accumulation at the lithological contact and in pseudofibers promote surface subsidence and formation of microlows in the years with moderate and intense winter precipitation. The low range of active moisture favors desiccation of the upper horizons to the wilting point in dry years. The yield of cereal crops reaches 3.5–4.5 t/ha in the years with high and moderate summer precipitation on nongleyed and slightly gleyed light gray soils and decreases by 20–50% on strongly gleyed light gray soils. On light gray soils without irrigation, crop yields are unstable, and productivity of pastures is low. High yields of cereals and vegetables can be obtained on irrigated soils. In this case, local drainage measures should be applied to microlows; liming can be recommended to improve soil productivity.     

Geochemical characterization of placic horizons in subtropical montane forest soils,northeastern Taiwan

Well‐developed placic horizons have been found in subalpine forest soils with large clay contents in Taiwan. We investigated their formation processes in five profiles in a subalpine ecosystem of northeastern Taiwan, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive spectrometry (EDS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), differential X‐ray diffraction (DXRD) and chemical extractions. The placic horizons, ranging from 3‐ to 17‐mm thick, always occurred above argillic horizons with abrupt changes in pH and texture between the two horizons. When fully developed, the placic horizons were clearly differentiated between upper and lower sub‐horizons. EDS and chemical extractions revealed that the cementing materials in both were predominantly inorganic Fe oxides. However, contents of aluminosilicates and organically complexed Fe and Al were greater in the lower than in the upper placic sub‐horizon. Results of EPMA indicated that interstitial fine materials in the upper placic sub‐horizon were composed mainly of Fe oxides, whereas Fe oxides were codominant with illuvial clay in the lower sub‐horizon. These analyses identified the migration of Fe and clay as major formation processes in both sub‐horizons. We hypothesize that there is a pedogenic sequence that starts with clay illuviation, followed by podzolization. The resultant textural and permeability differentiation reinforces the tendency to profile episaturation that is already inherent from the heavy rainfall and clayey surface soils. Topsoil Fe is therefore reduced and mobilized, and then illuviated with clay and organically complexed Fe/Al to initiate the lower placic sub‐horizon. The poor permeability of this layer reinforces the moisture conditions in the surface soils, and the further reduction, illuviation and deposition of inorganic Fe to form the upper placic sub‐horizon.     

Soil water regimes of soils developed on Keuper Marl

The deeper horizons of soils developed on Keuper Marl (Worcester Series) often remain unsaturated during the winter, with corresponding high tensions, even when the surface layers are waterlogged. Re-wetting of the deeper layers is restricted because of the inherent low volume of coarse pores in the B_t horizon and because the small volume of desiccation cracks formed during the summer soon disappear on re-swelling. It is suggested that this unexpected water regime may not be uncommon in soils developed on clay-shale sediments and that the soil drainage (wetness) classes recognized in England and Wales may need to be modified.     

Soil-geomorphology relations in mountains of Oregon,U.S.A.

The development and distribution of soils in the Coast Range and Klamath Mountains are related to geomorphic surfaces and slope gradients. Soils over basalt, studied in the Coast Range, were formed in transported materials and include examples of more than a half dozen great groups of the Alfisol, Inceptisol, Mollisol, and Ultisol orders. Distribution patterns of the soils can be related to active slopes, metastable slopes, pediments, ridge tops, flood plains, and alluvial fans. Variables among the factors of soil formation in the Coast Range are chiefly geomorphic surfaces and parent materials.Soils of a lithosequence of pyroclastics, granite and schist in the Klamath Mountains include examples of great groups in the Entisol, Inceptisol, and Mollisol orders. All soils from pyroclastics have argillic horizons, those from granite lack argillic horizons, and those from schist lack argillic horizons except on relatively stable surfaces. Average thicknesses of soils over saprolite range from 76 cm over granite and schist to 150 cm over pyroclastics.Lithologic discontinuities are common in both mountain areas. Field techniques for identification, described briefly, include stone lines, irregular distribution of rock fragments with depth, thicknesses of weathering rinds on rock fragments, and the lateral extensions of soil horizons.     

A study of argillic horizons in some soils in Morocco

Whether some soils observed in Morocco prior to the 1966 conference on Mediterranean soils held in Madrid had argillic horizons was the subject of active discussions. Textural differences between A- and B-horizons were obvious. Consequently, individual horizons of a number of profiles were sampled for micromorphological study. No clay films were observed in thin sections representing the B-horizons free in carbonate. Peds had pressure faces and internal striations in the matrix. Microchurning and swelling and shrinking are believed to have obliterated evidence of clay illuviation in the B-horizons, but clay coatings were observed at greater depth in well-developed B_ca-horizons.     

The morphology and genesis of eight surface-water gley soils developed in till in England and Wales

The morphology is described of eight surface-water gley soils developed in til in Wales and central and northern England. Physical and chemical analyses as well as micromorphological observations are used to investigate processes affecting the genesis of the soils. The characteristic property of surface-water gley soils, namely slowly permeable subsurface horizons, causes a degree of periodie waterlogging within the profile. Effects of gleying and shrink/swell processes are described. Three main aspects of weathering are shown to be operating: decalcification in two of the three calcareous profiles, the breakdown of coarse into finer particles and the alteration of the clay fraction, chiefly the formation of mixed-layer minerals from mica. Argillic B horizons are present in some soils. In profiles developed in calcareous till the degree of decalcification relates strongly to the amounts of recognizable clay concentrations as seen in thin section. Of the other five profiles three clearly have argillic B horizons. Problems associated with the identification of argillic B horizons in surface-water gley soils in till are discussed.     

Effect of trampling on the soils of the St James Walkway, New Zealand

Abstract. The influence of trampling on the soils of the St James Walkway was studied during 1985 by comparing 'on'- and off-track sites. Trampling increased the average soil bulk density by 0.3 g/cm³ at 0–5 cm depth and by 0.1 g/cm³ at 10–15 cm depth. Trampling increased the average soil shear strength by 11 kPa at 0–5 cm depth and by 6 kPa at 5–10 cm depth. All mineral soils were compacted to some extent by trampling. The podzolized high country yellow-brown earths (Dystrochrepts) were the most affected because their organic topsoil was truncated. Their exposed subsoil was however more resistant to further damage than their topsoil. Organic soils (Medihemists) were not compacted but their very low shear strength and high moisture content make them unsuitable for tracks. Untrampled soil bulk density and soil stone content were negatively correlated with the change in bulk density by trampling, and could be used to predict the risk of soil compaction by trampling.     

Chemical and physical characteristics of humic substances extracted from greek soils varying in classification order and natural drainage

Abstract

Humic and fulvic acids were extracted from the surface horizons of Alfisols, Vertisols, and Entisols with good and impeded natural drainage. These profiles are located in the temperate subhumid zone. The extracted humic substances were characterized by elementary and functional group analyses, IR‐spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Some differences in the humic substances seem to be associated with differences in the natural drainage of the soils. When data from samples of the same soil order are compared, indicate that humic (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) extracted from soils with impeded drainage, have higher contents of carbon and spin concentration, but less total acidity and fewer carboxylic groups (COOH), than the respective humic substances extracted from well drained soils. The IR‐spectra of the HAs extracted from soils with impeded drainage showed more aliphatic groups than those of the well drained soils. No essential differences, which could be related to the drainage conditions of the studied soils, were observed in the IR‐spectra of FAs. DTA‐diagrams shows that the thermal stability of the HAs and the FAs are related to their carbon and ash contents. Iron was the dominant element in the ash of the humic acids, aluminum and silicon were the most abundant elements in the ash of the fulvic acids.     

我国北亚热带白浆化土壤矿物学特性的研究

本文对北亚热带地区七个白浆化土壤的原生矿物和次生矿物的特性进行了研究。重，轻矿物含量表明土壤继承了母质的特性，粘淀层与漂白层的母质沉积是间断的，前者风化强度大于后者。石英颗粒表现特征显示漂白层物来来源于黄土物质再堆积，粘土矿物以水云母为主，其结晶度较差，氧化铁类型以针铁矿和赤铁矿为主，也有非晶质氧化铁和硅酸盐中的Ｆｅ＾２＋，其形成条件与现代化成土条件一致。     

Soil–landscape relationships at the lower reaches of a watershed at Bear Creek near Oak Ridge,Tennessee

The watersheds at Bear Creek, Oak Ridge, TN, have similar soil–landscape relationships. The lower reaches of many of these watersheds consist of headwater riparian wetlands situated between sloping non-wetland upland zones. The objectives of this study are to examine the effects of (i) slope and geomorphic processes, (ii) human impacts, and (iii) particular characteristics of soils and saprolite that may effect drainage and water movement in the wetlands and adjacent landscapes in one of these watersheds. A transect was run from west to east in a hydrological monitored area at the lower reaches of a watershed on Bear Creek. This transect extended from a steep side slope position across a floodplain, a terrace, and a shoulder slope. On the upland positions of the Nolichucky Shale, mass wasting, overland flow and soil creep currently inhibit soil formation on the steep side slope position where a Typic Dystrudept is present, while soil stability on the shoulder slope has resulted in the formation of a well-developed Typic Hapludult. In these soils, argillic horizons occur above C horizons on less sloping gradients in comparison to steeper slopes, which have Bw horizons over Cr (saprolite) material. A riparian wetland area occupies the floodplain section, where a Typic Endoaquept is characterized by poorly drained conditions that led to the development of redoximorphic features (mottling), gleying, organic matter accumulation, and minimal development of subsurface horizons. A thin colluvial deposit overlies a thick well developed Aquic Hapludalf that formed in alluvial sediments on the terrace position. The colluvial deposit from the adjacent shoulder slope is thought to result from soil creep and anthropogenic erosion caused by past cultivation practices. Runoff from the adjacent sloping landscape and groundwater from the adjacent wetland area perhaps contribute to the somewhat poorly drained conditions of this profile. Perched watertables occur in upland positions due to dense saprolite and clay plugging in the shallow zones of the saprolite. However, no redoximorphic features are observed in the soil on the side slope due to high runoff. Remnants of the underlying shale saprolite, which occur as small discolored zones resembling mottles, are also present. The soils in the study have a CEC of <10 cmol kg⁻¹, silt loam textures and Fe_d values of 0.5–4.3%. These soils are also mainly acidic and low in total carbon.     

Characterization of hydrophobic acid fractions in water-soluble organic matter in Dystric Cambisol and in a stream in a small forested watershed: Seasonal and vertical variations in chemical properties

Abstract

Chemical properties of hydrophobic acid (HoA) fractions in water-soluble organic matter in soil and water are concerned with its interactions with mineral soil surfaces and organic pollutants. In 2004 we examined the seasonal and vertical changes in chemical properties of the HoA fraction in a Cambisol profile and compared these properties with those in the HoA fraction of an adjacent stream (aquatic humic substances) in a temperate forested watershed using high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The HoA fractions from Oi, Oe/Oa, A and B horizon soils in summer had lower O-alkyl C proportions than those recorded in samples in other seasons. The proportions of aromatic C in HoA fractions from A and B horizons were highest in summer. These seasonal variations were less significant than variations with soil depth. O-alkyl C proportions in HoA fractions decreased with increasing soil depth from the Oi to the A horizon. The HoA fractions from the B horizon showed a higher alkyl C proportion than samples from other horizons in winter and spring. These changes with soil depth from the Oi to A horizons might result from selective utilization of carbohydrate carbon by microorganisms, whereas those in the B horizon may result from sorption to mineral surfaces. The HoA fractions in the stream were similar in relative molecular weight, distribution of each type of proton and carbon species in HoA fractions from the B horizon, whereas stream HoA fractions collected in summer would be derived from organic horizons. This indicated that vertical changes in the chemical properties of HoA fractions in soil and pathways of water to the stream would largely affect the chemical properties of HoA fractions in the stream.     

Soil Catenas on pinedale and Bull Lake moraines, Willow Lake, wind river mountains, Wyoming

Soils in coarse-grained tills on Pinedale (about 20,000 years old) and Bull Lake (about 140,000 years old) moraines show significant variaton with slope position and age. Soils on the Pinedale moraine are mostly non-calcareous Typic Cryoborolls with A/Bw/C profiles that thicken considerably downslope. These soils are weakly developed due to their youth and to the unstable, steep (up to 24°), highly convexo-concave slopes. Soils on the Bull Lake moraine are mostly Argic Cryoborolls with A/Bt/C profiles. These soils are more strongly developed than soils at similar positions on the Pinedale moraine because the Bull Lake moraine is older and has less steep (up to 16°), more gently curved slopes. The soils on the Bull Lake moraine contain more clay, a higher proportion of pedogenic clay, more weathered stones, and more free sesquioxides. Erosion and dry conditions at the convex summit and shoulder sites on the Bull Lake moraine have resulted in thin soils with minimal argillic horizons; these soils are only slightly more strongly developed than soils at analogous sites on the much younger Pinedale moraine. In contrast, at the concave sites in downslope positions the soils on the Bull Lake moraine are much more strongly developed than analogous soils on the Pinedale moraine; slow deposition of weathered material, probably transported by creep, has acted concurrently with pedogenesis to form soils with thick, homogeneous argillic horizons. The relationship between hillslope curvature and soil properties on both moraines is shown by significant correlations between soil properties and the second derivative of the hillslope profile. This relationship is probably due primarily to the interaction of soil formation and soil creep.     

EXTRACTABLE SESQUIOXIDES IN SIX MEDITERRANEAN SOILS DEVELOPED ON BASALT AND SCORIA

Iron, Al, and Mn were extracted by oxalate and dithionite from two Brown Mediterranean Soils, two Red Mediterranean Soils, one Vertisol and one Gley soil, all derived from basalt or scoria in the sub-humid and humid Mediterranean regions of the Golan Heights. Ratios of oxalate: dithionite extracted iron (Fe_o:Fe_d) were low in all soils, indicating that the predominant form of free iron is crystalline. Fe_o accumulates in the argillic B horizons of the Mediterranean soils, while Fe_d accumulates in the surface horizons. A large part of the free iron oxide in the surface horizons of Mediterranean soils is associated with non-clay fractions. While manganese behaves in a manner somewhat similar to that of iron, no definite trends could be discerned in the vertical distribution of free aluminium. In the Vertisol, Fe_o and Mn_o accumulate in the subsoil. Fe_d and Mn_d increase slightly with soil depth. In the Gley soil, amorphous iron accumulates in the surface horizon, total free iron in the bottom horizon. Both amorphous and total free Mn had been depleted from the upper horizons of the Gley soil.     

A quaternary soil sequence in the Kennet Valley,central southern England

The field characteristics, texture, mineralogy and micromorphology of the soils of four chronologically separate river terraces of the River Kennet are described. The soils on the three uppermost terraces have illuvial (palaeoargillic) horizons, which have been intensely disturbed by periglacial activity. These horizons are overlain by similarly disrupted eluvial horizons mixed with aeolian silts derived from outside the Kennet catchment. The illuvial horizons most probably result from interglacial pedogenesis under climatic conditions warmer and wetter than at present, whilst the aeolian material was probably added to the soils during the last glacial period (Devensian). The lowest and youngest terrace is characterised by an undisturbed (normal argillic) soil developed in loams derived predominantly from the aeolian silts. Consequently, it is postulated that the soils of the lowest terrace owe their characteristics to a phase of postglacial pedogenesis.The results illustrate that several phases of pedogenesis can be recognised, which provide important information on the Quaternary development of the area. This is especially significant where floral, faunal, or archaeological evidence of environmental changes is unavailable.     

Amounts and forms of micronutrient cations in a group of loessial grassland soils of New Zealand

The status of micronutrient cations Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Co was examined in a group of soils from beneath undisturbed grassland sites. The soils were selected such that factors of soil formation besides loess accumulation and rainfall remained relatively constant. In a previous study these two factors were found to have a large effect on the K status of the soils, but results from this study showed that there had been little effect on micronutrient content. With decreasing loess accumulation the total and HCl- and EDTA-extractable micronutrient content of soils tended to decrease, but rainfall had no consistent effect. Extractable levels of Cu and Co in A horizons tended to decrease from high to potentially deficient values with decreasing loess accumulation.HCl- and EDTA-extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were clearly higher in A than B horizons although total contents tended to be lower in A horizons. A chemical fractionation procedure demonstrated that there were greater quantities of pyrophosphate- and oxalate-extractable Zn and Cu and acetic acid-extractable Zn in the A than B horizons.With the exception of HCl-extractable Cu, extractable micronutrients were significantly correlated with the organic matter content of the HCl or EDTA extracts. There were no significant correlations between extractable micronutrients and soil pH or oxalate-extractable Al or Fe.Acetic acid-extractable Co was not significantly correlated with any measured soil property. It is concluded that the cycling of nutrients and the build-up of organic matter, which characteristically occur under grassland conditions in New Zealand, were the major factors influencing the micronutrient status of the soils.