Impact of rainfall and topography on the distribution of clays and major cations in granitic catenas of southern Africa

Soil catenas integrate and amplify gravity transfer and differentiation processes of eluviation and illuviation in soil profiles. We quantified differences in these redistribution processes along granitic catenas across an arid to sub-humid climate gradient in Kruger National Park, South Africa. We measured soil properties in nine catenas sampled from three areas receiving annual rainfall of 470 mm (arid zone), 550 mm (semi-arid zone) and 730 mm (sub-humid zone). As rainfall increased, kaolinite replaced smectite as the dominant clay mineral in all landscape positions across the catenas. Toeslopes showed the strongest evidence of this transition with an excess of smectite in the arid catenas but complete prevalence of kaolinite in toeslopes of sub-humid catenas. The concentration and distribution of clay along the catenas were dependent on landscape position as well — soil profiles at and near the crests were clay depleted (as low as 1%) while those at the toeslopes had much more clay (up to 60%). Clay redistribution along catenas was sensitive to climate with the least amount of redistribution occurring in the dry sites and the most occurring in the wet sites. As a consequence, the sub-humid catenas had clay accumulation only in a small part of the toeslopes while the bulk of their length was represented by highly leached soils. In contrast, arid zone catenas showed little clay redistribution and semi-arid sites displayed the greatest within-catena clay redistribution and preservation. Clay movement and storage conditioned other soil properties such as CEC, base cation distribution, base saturation and pH.     

Potentially toxic elements in urban soil catenas of W-Mo (Zakamensk,Russia) and Cu-Mo (Erdenet,Mongolia) mining areas

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize the conditions of the lateral migration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and to identify the zones of their accumulation in soil catenas of ore-mining landscapes in the cities of Zakamensk (Buryat Republic, Russia) and Erdenet (Mongolia) which are situated in the basin of the Selenga River.

Materials and methods

Eight soil catenas across the river valley with 31 pits in Zakamensk area and five catenas with 15 pits in Erdenet area were studied. Soil samples were collected in four landscape–geochemical positions: autonomous, on tops of the hills; trans-eluvial, on slopes of river valleys; trans-accumulative, at the footslopes; and superaqual, on the river floodplains. The total contents of 16 PTEs in the 148 samples were determined by mass spectrometry and by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma.

Results and discussion

It is found that the chemical composition of undisturbed soils is greatly affected by the widespread distribution of volcanic rocks enriched with W, Mo, Cd, Bi, and Sr in Zakamensk and with V, Co, Sr, and As in Erdenet. The difference between geochemical positions is relatively small. Under the influence of technogenic loads in the cities, the concentrations of PTE change along soil catenas increases by an order of magnitude. For chalcophile elements—Mo, Bi, Pb, Sb, and Cu in Zakamensk and Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, and W in Erdenet—the type of their lateral distribution in the soil catenas changes because of the intense migration from the tailings and facilities with water and air flows. The accumulation of PTEs takes place on the chemisorptive (V, Co, Ba, As, Cr, and Ni), gley (Mo and Sb), organomineral (Sn), and alkaline (Sr and W) lateral geochemical barriers (LGBs) confined to subordinate positions. The artificial technological LGBs are formed due to the increased content of sand derived from the tailings by water erosion in Zakamensk and the input of silt particles windblown from the technogenic sources in Erdenet. This causes the rise in the concentrations of major ore elements (Mo, W, and Cu) and the accompanying elements (Pb, Bi, As, Sr, Cr, and Ni).

Conclusions

The results of soil–geochemical studies using the catenary approach and concept of LGBs made it possible to understand the main features of migration and fixation of PTEs in soils of the mining centers. They indicate the formation of a system of LGBs with intensive accumulation of major ore elements and associated ones in the subordinate landscapes of Zakamensk and Erdenet.

     

PRINCIPAL KINDS OF CHRONOSEQUENCES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN SOIL HISTORY

There are four principal kinds of chronosequences of soils that differ in age. These sequences have different combinations of isochrony and/or time-transgression of incipience and cessation of development of their encompassed soil members. A further criterion is the presence or absence of partial overlap in the history of these members. Post-incisive sequences have been commonly used for inferences on pathways and rates of development of individual soils, but their usual interpretation relies on the assumption that all soils involved developed the same way even while some of them may be polygenetic. Theoretically, pre-incisive sequences are to be preferred because they should provide time-lapse information on soil development. But, since they necessarily involve buried soils, problems of post-burial change may complicate their interpretation. The usefulness of fully time-transgressive sequences with partially overlapping soil tory depends on their predominant pre-incisive or post-incisive character. Fully time-transgressive chronosequences without overlap of soil history may provide insight into regimes of soil development throughout geologic time, but not into rates of change of individual soils. Functional soil-landscape units, such as catenas and valley basins may have internal soil age differentiation. This imposes restrictions on the systematic investigation of their evolution.     

Soils and the soil cover of the arkaim reserve (Steppe Zone of the Trans-Ural Region)

Soils of the Arkaim Reserve in the area around a unique settlement-fortress of the Bronze Age in Chelyabinsk oblast have been studied. These soils are generally typical of the entire Trans-Ural Plateau. The soil properties are characterized in detail on the basis of factual data on 170 soil pits and four soil catenas. The soil cover of the reserve is specified into six geomorphic groups: (a) denudational surfaces of the low mountains, (b) accumulative-denudational surfaces of the low mountains, (c) denudational-accumulative plain surfaces, (d) lacustrine-alluvial plain surfaces, (e) floodplain surfaces, and (f) slopes and bottoms of the local ravines and hollows. Chernozems occupy about 50% of the reserve; solonetzes and saline soils, 32%; meadow chernozems, 7%; and forest soils, 1%. The soils of the reserve are relatively thin; they have a distinct tonguing of the humus horizon and are often saline and solonetzic. The latter properties are inherited from the parent materials and are preserved in the soils for a long time under the conditions of a dry continental climate. The genetic features of the soils differ in dependence on the composition and age of the parent materials. With respect to the thickness of the soil profiles and the reserves of soil humus, the soils can be arranged into the following lithogenic sequence: the soils developed from the eluvium of igneous rocks-redeposited kaolin clay-montmorillonite-hydromica nonsaline and saline loams and clays. The content of C_org in the upper 20 cm varies from 2.5 to 5.6%, and the reserves of C_org in the layers of 0?C0.5 and 0?C1.0 m reach 57?C265 and 234?C375 t/ha, respectively. The soils of pastures subjected to overgrazing occupy two-thirds of the reserve. Their humus content is 10?C16% higher in comparison with that in the analogous plowed soils. Another characteristic feature of the humus in the soils of the pastures is its enrichment in the labile fraction (28?C40% of C_org).     

Ecological-hydrological and genetic features of chernozem-like soils of closed depressions in the northern Tambov Lowland

Specific features of the genesis and water regime of soils in closed depressions were studied in two catenas located on the interfluvial and terrace surfaces. In humid years and in the years with moderate precipitation, the surface flooding up to early May reduced the Eh values up to 60–100 mV in the soils of the interfluvial depressions. The contrasting stagnant-percolate water regime under the surface waterlogging caused podzolization of the soils manifested in the skeletans, iron nodules, humus cutans, and podzolic horizons. The pro-files acquired eluvial-illuvial differentiation, and the water-physical properties of the soils became less favorable. In the soils of the terrace depressions upon bogging due to the shallow ground water and stagnation of water up to mid-July, the Eh values decreased to ?20 to ?80 mV. The reductive conditions were responsible for the appearance of the morphochromatic signs of gley. The ground water of bicarbonate-calcium composition at a depth of 80–120 cm hindered podzolization. The soils with features of gley and podzolization are low-productive.     

Genetic features of soils on sorted sand deposits of different origins in the Kola Peninsula

Differences in the chemical composition of soils developed from sorted sands of different origins are revealed. The iron-illuvial podzols on rich glaciofluvial and marine sands are characterized by well-pronounced Al-Fe-humus differentiation of the Si, Al, and Fe in the soil profile. These soils are relatively similar in their bulk elemental composition. The difference between them is seen in the degree of differentiation of the soil profiles; it is stronger in the soils developed from glaciofluvial deposits. This is particularly true with respect to the oxalate-soluble iron and aluminum hydroxides. The deposits derived from the red-colored Tersk sandstone and processed by the sea (in the coastal zone of the White Sea) have the poorest chemical composition. In the soils developed from them, the differentiation of oxalate-soluble compounds is slightly pronounced (for Fe) or completely absent (for Si and Al). These soils can be classified as podzolized ferruginous red-colored psammozems (within the order of poorly developed soils) with the following horizons: O-Ce-Cf-C. The Ce horizon has the features of podzolization, and the Cf horizon has some features attesting to the illuvial accumulation of Fe. The profile of these soils inherits a reddish tint from the parent material.     

Factors of the development of taiga and tundra soils with differentiation of Fe and Al oxides in the profile

Statistical data on the bulk contents of iron and aluminum oxides in iron-depleted and iron-enriched horizons of a wide range of taiga and tundra soils were compared. It was found that the soils could be arranged into the following sequence characterized by an increase in the relative contribution of iron oxides and a decrease in the relative contribution of aluminum oxides to the differentiation of sesquioxides in the soil profiles: sandy podzols—soddy-podzolic soils—loamy micropodzols and iron-illuvial svetlozems—cryogenic ferruginated gleyzems. It was concluded that the bleaching of eluvial horizons and the depletion of sesquioxides from them, as well as the accumulation of sesquioxides in the illuvial horizons, are controlled by different processes in different soils. In sandy podzols, the differentiation of sesquioxides is due to the Al-Fe-humus podzolization; in loamy micropodzols and iron-illuvial svetlozems, due to the redox-Al-Fe-humus podzolization; in podzolic and soddy-podzolic soils, due to the selective podzolization and lessivage; and, in cryogenic ferruginated gleyzems, due to the reduction-oxidation processes.     

可耕种坡地的土壤水力参数非均质性变化

The spatial variations of the soil hydraulic properties were mainly considered in vertical direction. The objectives of this study were to measure water-retention curves, θ（ψ）, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity functions, K（ψ）, of the soils sampled at different slope positions in three directions, namely, in vertical direction, along the slope and along the contour, and to determine the effects of sampling direction and slope position of two soil catenas. At the upper slope positions, the surface soils （0-10 cm） sampled in the vertical direction had a lower soil water content, 0, at a certain soil water potential （-1 500 kPa 〈 ψ 〈 -10 kPa） and had the greatest unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, K, at ψ 〉 -10 kPa. At the lower slope positions, K at ψ〉 -10 kPa was smaller in the vertical direction than in the direction along the slope. The deep soils （100 110 cm） had similar soil hydraulic properties in all the three directions. The anisotropic variations of the hydraulic properties of the surface soils were ascribed to the effects of natural wetting and drying cycles on the structural heterogeneity. These results suggested that the anisotropy of soil hydraulic properties might be significant in influencing soil water movement along the slope and need to be considered in modeling.     

Assessing the biological activity of oil-contaminated soddy-podzolic soils with different textures

The respiratory activity features in oil-contaminated soddy-podzolic soils of different textures have been studied. Unidirectional processes occur in contaminated loamy and loamy sandy soddy-podzolic soils; their intensities depend on the soil parameters. The mineralization rates of the oil products and the activity of the microflora in loamy soils exceed the corresponding parameters for loamy sandy soils. The long-term impact of oil and its transformation products results in more important disturbances of the microbial community in light soils. It has been shown that light soils containing 9% oil require longer time periods or more intensive remediation measures for the restoration of soil microbial cenoses disturbed by the pollutant.     

Lessivage and its relation to the hydrological regime of soils

By the examples of four typical catenas in the East European Plain, the role of lessivage in the development of automorphic and hydromorphic loamy and clayey soils with light-colored acid eluvial horizons and with different degrees of gleyzation has been studied. It is found that characteristic features of lessivage are often observed in the soils without hydrological barriers hampering or preventing the vertical migration of soil water and mass transfer processes. The hydrological barriers may be represented by the shallow horizons of temporarily perched water, or by the ascending capillary fringe of the ground water, or by the water-saturated horizons, in which the volume of free pores does not exceed 2–4%. It is shown that light-colored acid eluvial horizons may be formed in the profiles of loamy and clayey soils without any signs of lessivage. The development of strongly gleyed soils (gleyed soddy-podzolic soils and pseudogley soils (Stagnosols)) is not related to colmatage (silting of their illuvial horizons through lessivage); it is conditioned by the actual hydrological regime of these soils. The role of lessivage, podzolization, and gleyzation in the development of clay-differentiated soils is discussed.     

THE NATURE AND GENESIS OF CERTAIN ARIDISOLS IN KENYA

In the semi-arid Kenya lowlands, strongly contrasting soil units associated with specific positions in the landscape have developed on various ancient alluvial deposits. The soil pattern may be explained by the differential truncation of a previously solodized plateau. These contrasting soil sequences give rise to associated vegetation catenas. Necessary adaptations are applied to the 7th Approximation soil classification, thereby introducing one new Great Group (Halorthid) and several new subgroups (natric grumustert, natric grumaquert, and typic halorthid).     

A catena in northeast Brandenburg (Bölkendorf): Soil biota,root growth and soil structure

Typical for the morainal landscape of NE‐Germany are catenas with pronounced gradients of abiotic factors, such as soil texture and organic matter content. For adequate management of these regions, their ecology must be better understood. In this context, the biological interactions in soil play an important role. The present study is based on the hypothesis that the gradients of abiotic factors across the catena are reflected in soil biota, i.e. earthworms and microarthropods, and root growth.

Sampling was carried out at selected positions across the catenary sequence of Boelkendorf, Brandenburg, for earthworms, Collembola and roots in April 1994. The soil physical analysis comprised measurements of soil bulk density and penetration resistance.

A positive correlation between earthworm abundance, numbers of Collembola and root growth at different catena positions was found. The top position especially, a calcaric regosol with low organic matter content, was markedly different with respect to soil biological and physical characteristics. High bulk densities and high soil resistance in the subsoil coincided with low earthworm densities, low microarthropod numbers and impeded rootability of the soil.     

Occurrence and properties of soils on sandy beach ridges in the Kelantan–Terengganu Plains,Peninsular Malaysia

A study was conducted along the Kelantan–Terengganu Coastal Plains, Peninsular Malaysia to explain the occurrence of sandy beach ridges and to determine the physico-chemical properties of the soils formed on them. Two or occasionally three series of sandy ridges running parallel to the shoreline occur in the area. These ridges are believed to have been formed by the continuous action of the sea waves following changes in the sea level during the Holocene, the oldest ridge being the one farthest away from the shoreline. In between these ridges occurs a slight depression, usually occupied by soils under submerged condition. The soils on the ridges are subjected to the processes of soil formation, mainly podzolization. There is no horizon differentiation in the soils on the ridge nearest to the shoreline. However, soils on the older ridges contain spodic horizon, occurring at varying depths. Drainage and the depth below which this spodic horizon occurs are the deciding factors for determining soil type (series). Physically, the soils are sandy containing > 95% sand, with the drainage varying from moderately well to excessively-drained for the soils on the ridges. Under this condition, the mineralogy of the clay and silt fractions is dominated by quartz; some feldspars, mica, kaolinite, gibbsite and anatase are also present. Sandy nature of the soils on beach ridges, extreme leaching, low cation exchange capacity and low exchangeable bases leads to their low productivity.     

土壤层状质地对小流量地下滴灌灌水器特性的影响

以均质壤土（L）、均质砂土（S）、上砂下壤（SL）和壤土中有砂土夹层（LSL）4种土壤质地结构为对象,利用室内土箱试验,研究了土壤质地及其层状结构对灌水器流量的影响,估算了灌水器出口正压值。试验选用10 m水头压力下额定流量为1.1 L/h的地下滴灌专用灌水器。土壤为层状结构时,上层土壤厚度为20 cm,砂土夹层的厚度为10 cm。L、S、SL试验的灌水器埋深为15 cm;为了探讨灌水器埋深与土壤质地变化相对位置对灌水器性能的影响,LSL的灌水器埋深设计为15、25和35 cm。试验采用的工作压力为2、3、6和10 m水头。结果表明：灌水开始后,出口正压的迅速增大致使灌水器流量迅速减少,而后逐渐趋于稳定。灌水器流量随时间的变化可近似用幂函数表示。灌水器在土壤中的流量比在空气中的自由出流流量有所减小,灌水器自由出流流量越小,减小幅度越大。土壤层状质地对灌水器流量影响明显,一定压力下,灌水器在层状土壤中的流量小于在均质土壤中的流量,尤其当灌水器位于LSL的砂土夹层中时,流量比在均质壤土中减少13%,比自由出流流量减少20%。利用试验结果建立了地下滴灌灌水器流量与土壤饱和导水率、层状土壤结构、灌水器工作压力的经验关系,对各影响因子的敏感性分析结果表明,对地下滴灌灌水器流量影响最明显的是灌水器工作压力,其次是层状土壤结构,饱和导水率的影响较小。     

Accumulation soils like “Ockererde”—forgotten soil units in soil‐classification systems

Accumulation soils like those known as “Ockererde” are not yet represented in the German and in international soil‐classification systems, even though they represent important members of catenas found in humid low‐mountain areas influenced by the translocation of interpedon matter. Currently, this soil is referred to as “(Hang‐)Oxigley”, though this does not take into account its water and matter dynamics. Six representative catenas in the Black Forest (SW Germany) will be used to describe the occurrence, extent, and properties of the accumulation‐affected “Ockererde” derived from a variety of parent materials at specific altitudes. On the basis of their morphological, chemical, and physical properties as well as matter dynamics, it is possible to distinguish “Ockererde” clearly from soil units with similar characteristics (“Lockerbraunerde”, Andosols). Finally, suggestions will be given for the classification of “Ockererde”.     

Typification of soil catenas on slopes from the quantitative manifestations of the accumulation and loss of soil material

A typification of soil catenas on slopes from the manifestations of soil erosion and accumulation processes studied at several key plots in the central part of the East European Plain and in the Mid-West of the United States is suggested. The magnetic tracer method was used for assessing the rate of lateral mechanical migration of the products of pedogenesis. The typification of soil catenas on slopes was performed with the quantitative consideration for the material loss and accumulation rates, the degree of openness of the soil catenas for the migration fluxes, and the localization of accumulation zones on the slopes.     

The effect of model soil contamination with Cr,Cu, Ni,and Pb on the biological properties of soils in the dry steppe and semidesert regions of southern Russia

Model soil contamination with Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the dry steppes and semideserts of southern Russia has worsened the biological soil properties. With respect to the degree of deterioration of the biological properties, the soils can be arranged in the following sequence: dark chestnut soils > chestnut soils > light chestnut soils > brown semidesert soils > sandy brown semidesert soils. The sequence of metal oxides according to the adverse effect on the biological soil properties is as follows: CrO₃ > CuO ≥ PbO ≥ NiO.     

沙漠非饱和风沙土壤水分特征曲线预测的分形模型

应用VanGenuchten提出的土壤水分特征曲线公式,推导出了沙漠风沙非饱和土壤水分特征曲线的分形模型。通过对古尔班通古特沙漠地9种不同土壤样本利用中子水分仪和负压计实测的水分特征曲线资料反求得到相应的分形维数,分析了分形维数与土壤质地之间的关系,结果表明随着土壤质地从流动风沙土、半固定风沙土到固定风沙土的变化,其分形维数呈逐渐增大。此外,基于土壤颗粒的重量与粒径分布求出了古尔班通古特沙漠地风沙土壤粒径的分形维数。通过对土壤水分特征曲线的分形维数与土壤粒径的分形维数的对比,得知它们之间存在着良好的线性关系。根据此关系,利用易测得的土壤粒径分形维数结合所推导的分形模型,对土壤水分特征曲线进行了预测,模型的预测结果很好地吻合了实测的土壤水分特征曲线。这一结果对于实际工作中根据风沙土壤颗粒大小分布的分形维数来预测沙漠风沙土壤水分特征曲线具有一定的指导意义。     

陕北沙区不同利用方式风沙土的养分特征

通过分析陕北沙区榆林市不同利用方式形成的流动风沙土、半固定风沙土、固定风沙土(紧沙土)和由人类生产活动形成的耕种固定风沙土、耕灌固定风沙土的养分特征,发现随着植被的增加,流动沙丘逐渐被固定,流动风沙土、半固定风沙土、固定风沙土含有较多养分的细颗粒增多使表层养分逐渐增加。耕种固定风沙土由于生产活动,加速了土壤有机质的矿化,使土壤有机质、氮素含量降低;而磷肥的使用,使土壤有效磷增加。耕灌固定风沙土作为当地的基本农田受人类活动影响,引水拉沙,增加土壤细颗粒含量,且大量施肥,使这种土壤的肥力有了较大地提高。     

施钾对茶园土壤钾素及平衡的影响

盆栽选取四川、重庆典型的砂岩黄壤、灰岩黄壤、酸性紫色土为供试土壤,田间选取在砂岩黄壤上生长了25年的茶园,连续5年研究了施用钾肥(硫酸钾)对茶园土壤钾库及钾素平衡的影响。结果表明:施用钾肥能显著提高土壤钾库的各类钾素,但其绝对含量都呈逐年下降的趋势。土壤中各类钾素的变化因土壤类型而异,土壤各类钾素的增量均为灰岩黄壤砂岩黄壤酸性紫色土。不施钾肥(CK)的盆栽茶树、田间茶树分别每年从土壤取走钾素0.10.g/kg。盆栽三种土壤的钾素年平均流失量分则别为0.18.g/kg(灰岩黄壤)、0.09.g/kg(砂岩黄壤)、0.07g/kg(酸性紫色土),可见种植茶树施用K肥很有必要。