Lithological effects in soil formation and soil slips on weathering-limited slopes underlain by granitic bedrocks in Japan

Soil slips occur every few years due to heavy rains on biotite granite (Gb) and hornblende biotite granite (Ghb) slopes in the Taga Mountains, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The occurrence density of soil slips per unit area is 2.7 times greater in the Gb slopes than that in Ghb slopes. We examined the chemical, mineral, physical, and mechanical properties of two soil profiles on soil-slip scars in these slopes to study the effect of bedrock mineral composition on the density of soil slips. For a given size of mineral grain, the amount of biotite (which is susceptible to chemical weathering) in granitic bedrocks strongly influenced the density of soil slips. In the Gb slope the soil layer becomes thinner because of the smaller proportion of biotite in the bedrock; this restricts the downward movement of soil water into the material below the slip plane. During heavy rainfall the water surface then rises toward the slope surface above the slip plane. This promotes soil slips, increasing the density of soil-slip scars. In contrast, in the Ghb slope, with more biotite in the bedrock, the soil layer becomes thicker, so that soil water moves easily into the material beneath the slip plane. This limits the rise of water surface toward the slope surface above the slip plane even during heavy rainfalls. There are consequently fewer soil slips and density of soil-slip scars.     

侵蚀性花岗岩坡地不同地貌部位土壤剖面风化特征研究

为揭示发育于侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地上不同地貌部位土壤剖面的风化发育特征,在浙江省选择了典型的风化花岗岩坡地:浙江省嵊州市水土保持监测站为研究区,在监测站同一坡面不同侵蚀强度的坡顶、坡中、坡底选取3个典型的土壤剖面(140 cm),从下至上等距离(20 cm)采集土壤样品,共采集21个土样。进行了各层土壤基本理化特性和化学全量的分析,并分别计算了3个剖面不同层次的主要化学风化系数及总的风化强度,结果表明:(1)在强烈侵蚀的花岗岩风化残积坡地发育的土壤,总体发育成熟过程较弱,其进一步的发育与典型的地带性土壤的发育有很大的差异,侵蚀过程严重地影响了土壤的进一步成熟,侵蚀强度越大,则土壤发育越差。(2)土壤剖面总的风化强度不大,上下层的递变差异很小,脱硅富铝化过程随着剖面深度的增加风化程度越来越弱。(3)土壤剖面的化学分层不明显,各种风化指标均在60 cm左右形成了一个分界层,其上受水力侵蚀影响明显,其下呈现出的特性以继承残积母质为主。(4)不同地貌部位的风化发育程度排序为:坡底坡中坡顶,其与采样坡面的侵蚀强度排序正好相反。(5)风化程度与有机质和黏粒含量具有较为明显的正比关系,在侵蚀环境下,土壤的物理特性对风化的影响明显,在沉积环境下土壤有机质的影响大于黏粒含量的影响。总之,由于受侵蚀的影响,坡地土壤剖面的淀积层不发育,剖面呈现出的假淀积层不是由淋溶作用形成的,而是具有一定风化程度的风化残积层,结果导致发育于山地丘陵侵蚀性坡地的土壤层次划分不同于常规的土壤层次划分。     

Soil and landform features of mountainous terrain in South Thailand

The results of reconnaissance surveys over 2,000 Km² are used to described mountainous terrain on granite, gneiss and pelite. Detailed morphological and laboratory analytical data are presented for soils derived from each of these rock types. The soils, which are classed as Paleudults, are acid, kaolinite-rich and deficient in nutrients. Soils formed on granite and gneiss have high proportions of coarse quartz particles (2.0–50.0 mm); the dilution effect of this inert material further reduces their effective nutrient status. The degree of weathering, as indicated by the silt:silt+clay ratio, increases with profile depth.Mean gradients recorded on the granite and pelite hillslopes are 27° and 29°, respectively. A greater uniformity of slopes was observed on pelites than on granites; the ‘missing angle’ technique was employed to identify ‘natural’ slope classes. Gradients tend to increase downlopw, indicating a rapid removal of erosion products at the footslope and a rejuvenation of the valleys. A significant association was recorded between soil depth and slope gradient on pelite but not on granite or gneiss landforms.     

侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地土壤发育特性

采用CT扫描技术、X射线荧光光谱仪化学全量分析和实验室土壤理化特性测试方法,对浙江省典型风化花岗岩坡地土壤发育的主要物理指标、化学风化系数及风化强度进行了测量计算,分析了侵蚀环境下不同地貌部位的土壤发育特征。结果表明:坡地土壤的发育程度较弱,土壤分层不明显,不同地貌部位的土壤风化发育程度排序为坡底<坡中<坡顶,与坡面侵蚀强度的排序正好相反。土壤物理风化指标随土层深度增加的变化规律较强,脱硅富铝化过程随着剖面深度的增加越来越弱,物理风化指标和化学风化指标具有同等作用的表征效果,不同于当地地带性土壤发育中以化学风化为主的特性。水力侵蚀强烈地区的最大风化强度位于20-40 cm处,推得水力侵蚀对土壤发育的影响深度为0-40 cm。     

黄土高原退耕还林工程中的现存问题及有关建议

花岗岩母质土壤区在洞庭湖流域广泛分布。由于内在机理及洞庭湖流域特殊的气候条件和人地关系状况，使这一类土壤区成为洞庭湖流域最为严重的水土流失地区之一，并引起了严重的环境、社会、经济后果。花岗岩分布区地形陡峭、风化速度快，风化层深厚，极易导致水土流失。在内生动力和外部动力的共同作用下．水土流失的时序特征与风化层各层的特性紧密相关。为了科学治理，首次尝试对湿润区花岗岩水土流失区进行区域界定并作了类型区划分。     

悬着水位对铝硅酸盐的稳定性及土壤发生的影响

The mineral stability and solute activities of soil solution extracted from selected horizons of seven studied pedons of Alfisols in Kentucky, USA, and the relationship between distribution of iron-manganese concretions and the restrictive layers were investigated. The results showed that the genesis and development of these soils and mineral weathering trends were strongly influenced by the depth of bedrock and the presence of perched water tables at lithic (limestone) interfaces due to the dissolution and buffering effect of limestone bedrock. The extractable Mg/Ca ratio as depth function and soil depth above bedrock could be used as indices of weathering and degree of soil development. Maximum iron-manganese concretion accumulation was found to occur in the horizon overlying clay horizon (>40% clay) with a sharp increase in clay content (>10%), which suggested that zones of Fe-Mn concretion accumulation in soils of the Inner Bluegrass Region appeared to be a sensitive genetic indicator of argillic horizons with restrictive permeability.     

Measuring phosphorus fluxes through the root zone of a layered sandy soil: comparisons between lysimeter and suction cell solution

Chemical and physical processes govern the extent to which phosphorus dissolved from the plough layer is retained by or leached from the subsoil. The adsorption capacity of deeper layers, the velocity of solution flux and the amount of soil volume in contact with the leaching soil solution are important determining factors. Soil solution from 90-cm depth of a layered sandy soil, sampled over a 3-year period with teflon suction cells, was systematically lower in P content than soil solution sampled with free drainage lysimeters from the same depth. On average 4.6 times as much inorganic P and twice as much organic P was found in lysimeter solutions. Determination of apparent equilibrium solution concentrations of phosphate was performed by means of a series of batch experiments with soil and soil solution of varying initial P content. The results indicated that the suction-cell solution was close to equilibrium with soil from the 90-cm layer. Rhodamine dye was applied, and flow paths of soil solution observed. Preferential flow was initiated from layers of finer texture overlying layers of coarser texture. On the basis of these observations it is concluded that suction cells give the best representation of stagnant soil solution, whereas lysimeters give a better representation of mobile soil solution.     

Factors and processes of gibbsite formation in Northern Thailand

Gibbsite is usually considered as end product of weathering in tropical environments with potentially high leaching rates. However, there are also hints towards gibbsite formation in initial stages of weathering in different climates. This study reports on a systematic approach based on soil forming factors in order to research the conditions of gibbsite formation in northern Thailand highlands. Therefore, three major study sites were chosen, which differ with respect to parent rock, relief, climate and vegetation. The results show that gibbsite is common in soils of the area. Reasons for its occurrence in soils are manifold. It can be a heritage of the parent rock, a result of initial weathering under free draining conditions or an accumulation under intense chemical weathering caused by high rainfall. Especially the investigation in granite and gneiss areas with a high share of primary minerals indicates that gibbsite can be an early and direct transformation without intermediates from micas and feldspars if free drainage is assured. With progressing soil genesis clay formation reduces drainage and favours kaolinite formation. Only sites with extremely high rainfall and low evaporation (high elevations in northern Thailand) show again a dominance of gibbsite in the clay fraction throughout the whole soil profile.     

三峡库区坡地表层风化特征研究

Extractability and mobility of Cu and Zn and their relationships with 1） accumulation of Cu and Zn and 2） soil pH were studied in three sandy soils （Wabasso, Ankona, and Winder） from commercial citrus groves in Florida, USA. The soils, with a broad range of Cu and Zn concentrations, were fractionated by a modified procedure of Amacher, while Cu and Zn mobility were evaluated using column leaching. The extractability of Cu and Zn increased with decreasing soil pH. Also with increasing total soil Cu and Zn for extractable Cu in the Wabasso sand a threshold level, where the metal extraction rate increased, was noted at 100 mg kg^-1, whereas for extractable Zn in the Wabasso sand the threshold level was found at 60 mg kg^-1 and in the Ankona sand at 120 mg kg^-1. These results suggested that the release potential of Cu and Zn was greater in the Wabasso sand than in the Ankona sand. The column leaching experiment showed that at total soil Cu or Zn concentrations 〈 100 mg kg^-1 all leachates had low Cu and Zn concentrations. However at total concentrations 〉 200 mg kg^-1 for Cu and 〉 150 mg kg^-1 for Zn with decreasing soil pH, the concentrations of both Cu and Zn in the leachates increased exponentially. Also in these sandy soils soluble Cu and Zn mainly originated from the exchangeable fractions, and pH was a key factor controlling Cu and Zn extractability and mobility.     

Soils and slopes in a humid temperate environment: A simulation study

A three dimensional simulation of the landsurface system is presented, which includes the processes of weathering, soil creep and fluvial erosion. Soils represent a deposit in equilibrium between the processes of weathering and erosion. The simulated drainage basin with a fixed exit point reproduces the “closed” system dynamics of the Davisian model, in which however slopes still attain a dynamic equilibrium form. Within the basin the overall mean soil depth very rapidly reaches a constant value even though a considerable redistribution of material is still to occur. This implies a rapid establishment of a balance between the process of weathering and erosion. By contrast the detailed pattern of soil depths on individual slopes is established much more slowly, only after the slopes themselves come to equilibrium. The equilibrium configuration of soils under soil creep shows a slight downslope increase in depths, and major increases in soil depth are restricted to locations where external constraints force an accumulation of material.     

The influence of slope aspect on soil weathering processes in the Springerville volcanic field,Arizona

A comparison was made between soils on north- and south-facing slopes of six cinder cones in the Springerville volcanic field (SVF), Arizona, in order to determine the influence of slope aspect on soil weathering processes. Twenty-four soil pedons were sampled on different aspects of six cinder cones. To control for the influence of slope on pedogenesis, all sample sites possessed slopes of 17±2°. Soil weathering processes were characterized by solum depth, texture, and Ca:Zr chemical weathering indices. Quartz and mica were used to identify eolian additions to the volcanic soils. Accelerated rates of weathering and soil development were found to occur in soils on south-facing slopes while no trend with aspect was found for eolian additions. Accelerated rates of weathering and soil development may influence cinder cone degradation and cone morphology.     

Parent material and chemical weathering in alpine soils on Mt. Mansfield,Vermont, USA

We compared the elemental composition of soil and bedrock samples to determine the extent of chemical weathering and the nature of the soil parent material in alpine soils on Vermont's highest summit. Previously it was unclear whether these soils formed through weathering of bedrock, glacial till, or eolian sediment, or solely through the accumulation of organic matter. In eighteen profiles, no evidence was found to indicate that soils have developed in glacial till, despite evidence that the mountain was completely inundated by the Laurentide Ice Sheet. In contrast, results strongly support the theory that pedogenesis in this environment involves in situ bedrock weathering under a thickening blanket of acidic organic litter. Weathering indices reveal an increase in weathering intensity upwards from the bedrock, and trends of normalized rare earth elements demonstrate a strong similarity between bedrock and soil samples. Leaching has concentrated less mobile elements such as Al, Cr, La, P, Pb, and Ti in soil horizons and removed mobile elements such as Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Si, and Zn. X-ray diffraction reveals that chlorite, which is present in all bedrock samples and some saprolites, has weathered completely from upper soil horizons, and that hydrobiotite, vermiculite, kaolinite, gibbsite, and goethite have formed in the soil. Ratios of immobile elements (Ce, Cr, Nb, Ta, Ti, Y, and Zr) in soil and bedrock samples are, however, notably different. Furthermore, the moderately mobile trace elements Cu, Mo, and Sr are actually more abundant in soil than in bedrock, and soil concentrations of Zr are up to an order-of-magnitude greater than in bedrock samples. Together these data argue for at least a modest eolian influx, which may have arrived during the regression of Lake Vermont during the latest Pleistocene or from an outwash source in the immediate post-glacial period. Similarly, increased Ca and Na concentrations in soil samples may signify modern deposition of dust bearing Ca (from agricultural fields) and Na (from roads).     

Effect of north and south exposure on weathering rates and clay mineral formation in Alpine soils

A comparison was made between two soil climosequences on north- and south-facing slopes in northern Italy to determine the influence of slope aspect on soil processes. The climosequences span an elevational gradient ranging from moderate (1200 m a.s.l.) to high alpine (2420 m a.s.l.) climate zones on surfaces having an age of about 15 000 years. The soils were investigated with respect to organic C, oxalate and dithionite extractable Fe, Al and Si, elemental losses (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Al, Si, Mn) and clay minerals. The stocks of soil org. C as well as of oxalate-extractable Fe and Al was greatest in the subalpine zone near the timberline. There are no clear differences in organic C content between the soils on north- and south-facing sites. Fe-oxalate and to a lesser extent Al_o-stocks were, however, greater on north-facing sites, indicating that weathering is greater there. Eluviation and illuviation of Al and Fe within the soil profile, typical for podzolisation, was more distinctly expressed on the N slopes. The probability of ITM (Imogolite-type-material) formation in the soil seemed to be greater on south-facing sites. On the north-facing sites, element leaching was most intense in the subalpine zone close to the timberline while on the south-facing sites this was only the case for the base cations. The N slopes exhibited higher leaching of elements which generally indicates a higher weathering intensity. On south-facing sites, typical podzolisation processes were measurable only above 2000 m a.s.l. The development of smectites is also a reflection of the weathering intensity; smectite was discernible in the surface horizon at all sites on N slopes but the highest amount was detected in the sub-alpine climate zone. For the south-facing sites only in the alpine climate zone could smectite be detected. Higher temperatures and an increased number of freeze-thaw cycles on south-facing slopes should theoretically enhance rates of chemical weathering. This could, however, not be confirmed with our measurements. The degree of chemical weathering increases from the south- to the north-facing sites that are characterised by lower temperatures, lower evapotranspiration and consequently by a higher humidity. Although precipitation in Alpine regions is abundant, the availability and flux of water through the soil is the prime factor in weathering intensity.     

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.     

Weathering and vegetation effects in early stages of soil formation

Bedrock surfaces in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, exposed by spillway construction and which had not previously been subjected to surface weathering environments, developed 15–20 cm thick soil covers in less than three decades. All open bedrock joints showed evidence of weathering and biological activity. Rock surfaces and fragments also showed evidence of significant weathering alteration. The results suggest a soil production function whereby weathering and increases in thickness are initially rapid. The rapid initial rate (5 to 10 mm year^− 1) is facilitated by a weathering-favorable regional climate, local topography favoring moisture and sediment accumulation, and aggressive vegetation colonization. The ages of the trees on the bedrock benches suggests that a short period (< 10 years) of pedogenic site preparation is necessary before trees can become established. Initial chemical weathering within newly-exposed rock fractures in resistant sandstone strata and chemical weathering of weak shale layers, coupled with accumulation of organic and mineral debris in fractures and microtopographic depressions facilitates plant establishment, which accelerates local weathering rates.     

模拟降雨条件下金银花对片麻岩坡地土壤侵蚀的影响

通过室内人工模拟降雨的方法,研究不同树龄金银花对片麻岩坡地土壤侵蚀的影响。结果表明:种植金银花能明显减缓雨水对片麻岩坡地的土壤侵蚀。金银花能延迟初始产流时间,降低径流模数和输沙模数,且随树龄的增加效果明显增加。相比裸地,种植1,3,6年树龄金银花分别延迟产流时间0.71%,23.33%和39.20%;6年金银花降低径流模数和径流深分别达75%和51%,降低输沙模数为23.42%～57.60%。金银花能提高土壤抗侵蚀能力,相比裸地,种植1,3,6年树龄金银花坡面WAS_0.25分别提高11.52%,19.37%和24.35%。在近根区,相比1年树龄金银花根系生物量,种植3,6年金银花依次增加82.67%和191.26%。根系生物量与金银花坡面的总减流率和总减沙率呈极显著正相关,其相关系数(R^2)分别为0.801和0.911。总体上,金银花能够控制片麻岩坡地土壤侵蚀,并在一定程度上提高土壤抗侵蚀能力。     

Leaching of imidazolinones in soils under a clearfield system

Herbicides with high mobility can leach to deeper layers of the soil and to contaminate underground aquifers. The potential of herbicide leaching in soil can be monitored by chromatography or bioassay methods. This study evaluated the leaching of imazethapyr, imazapic and its commercial mixture (imazethapyr + imazapic) in three tropical soils via a bioassay method. The herbicides were applied in a polyvinyl chloride column and an 80 mm rainfall was simulated. The bioindicator species sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) BRS 655 was sown. Imazethapyr, imazapic and the commercial herbicide mixture showed high leaching in the soils. The presence of imazethapyr and the commercial mixture was detected up to 25 cm deep in Haplic Plinthosol and Oxisol. Imazapic showed less leaching to tree soil, being found at depth 10–15 cm. The pH, texture and iron oxide amount levels affected herbicide leaching. The mobility of the herbicides imazethapyr and imazapic in the Haplic Plinthosol and the Oxisol at depth 25 cm indicates a high risk of groundwater contamination.     

Weathering of gneiss in Calabria,Southern Italy

The effects of weathering in a Mediterranean climate on the mineralogy and microfabric of Paleozoic gneiss of the Sila Massif, Calabria, southern Italy, have been studied. Field observations show highly weathered rock forms a residual soil. Micromorphological and mineralogical properties of bedrock and saprolite show that the weathering process is characterized by at least two major stages, having two distinct rock microfabrics. In the first stage, the morphological features of the original rock are preserved and weathering is manifested mainly by microfracturing, and large portions of the rock remain unaltered. The second stage of weathering involves further development of microcracks and progressive chemical attack on the minerals. This latter stage occurs along both compositional and microstructural discontinuities, with etch pitting of feldspar, and neoformation of clay minerals and ferruginous products replacing feldspar, biotite, and iron-bearing garnet. The determination of quantitative petrographic indices provides a measure of the various stages of weathering.     

基于原型观测与DEM的强风化花岗岩小流域水文过程模拟

为了解华南花岗岩小流域特殊的产流机制,以土壤为砂壤土、基岩为强风化花岗岩的中山大学珠海校区滨海小流域作为研究对象,观测了2个分别代表森林、灌丛覆盖的5 m×10 m的径流试验场的产流过程和土壤含水率变化过程。观测结果表明超渗产流、优先流是试验场的重要产流方式,壤中流（尤其是在土壤-基岩界面上产生的壤中流）对试验场的总产流量也有较大贡献。在径流试验场原型观测基础上,建立了一个基于数字高程模型（DEM）的、包括地表径流、壤中流和基岩裂隙出流的三水源小流域水文模型。利用9次降雨径流过程对模型参数进行率定,利用4次降雨径流过程进行验证,模型的率定、验证均取得了良好的拟合效果。根据模型的模拟结果,在径流的起涨阶段地表产流贡献最大,而基岩裂隙出流对退水过程贡献明显。综合试验场原型观测结果与模型模拟结果得出结论：明显的壤中流和基岩裂隙出流是华南花岗岩小流域显著的产流特点。     

Some properties of a chrono-toposequence of soils from granite in New Zealand, 1. profile weights and general composition

A chrono-toposequence of five soils formed in strongly weathered granite in the South Island of New Zealand was described on the basis of soil profile morphology, landscape position, and the degree of weathering of the underlying granite. The sequence contains five progressively younger soils on increasing slopes from crest to backslope formed in a Parent Material of originally uniform mineralogical and chemical composition as Parent Rock under a uniform climate and vegetation. All profiles of the sequence are strongly weathered and leached with the final member of the sequence being considered to represent a terminal steady-state system.Changes in a number of chemical and physical soil properties were described with the increasing soil development (i.e. increasing weathering and leaching) represented in the sequence profiles. Profile soil weights (< 2mm) remained approximately constant, once weathering of stone material (> 2 mm) to fines was completed. An initial increase in profile silt and clay content was followed by a decline in both fractions with a corresponding increase in the sand fraction. Proportions of kaolin/metahalloysite initially increased and 2:1–2:2 Al intergrades decreased, but the final three sequence profiles had similar clay mineralogies with kaolin/metahalloysite being the main component. Profile weights of oxidisable carbon and total nitrogen followed an exponential decline after an initial increase between the first two sequence profiles. Profile cation-exchange capacity, total exchangeable bases, percent base saturation, and exchangeable cations showed no trends with increasing soil development. Depth-gradients of these parameters together with oxidisable carbon and total nitrogen became less pronounced, with the apparent tendency towards a steady-state system in the final sequence profile. Multiple regression analysis indicated that oxidisable carbon was the main contributing factor to cation-exchange capacity followed by clay content.Profile weights of total calcium and potassium were closely correlated and showed an approximately exponential decline with increasing soil development, whereas total magnesium showed a relatively linear decline. Total aluminium and iron both showed an initial increase and then declined. The relative rates of loss of the five total elements studied were in the order: Ca > Mg > K, Fe > Al.