Soil evolution on the low terraces of Lake Nero

The soil evolution in the depression of Lake Nero was driven by climate changes in the Holocene and by the history of the relief’s development in this region. In the Alleröd period, dark-colored soils were formed; in the Late Dryas period, they were cryoturbated and covered by colluvial deposits from the adjacent slopes. These specific paleosols are found on relatively high ancient surfaces. In the Early and Middle Holocene (10000–3700 BP), dark-colored horizons of soils with high stability of the organic matter were formed. The properties of humus in these soils are close to the properties of humus in forest-steppe soils. In the past 3500–3700 years, under conditions of some cooling and humidization of the climate with the development of taiga pedogenesis, these soils have evolved into soddy-podzolic soils. Their dark-colored horizons have degraded, though their lower parts are partly preserved in many places as the second humus horizons, the most distinctive feature of the soil polygenesis in the studied region. The soils of the low terrace (100–103 m a.s.l.) are younger than the soils of the higher and more ancient surfaces. Their evolution followed the same stages, though the Alleröd paleosols have not been found on this surface. In the coastal zone, at the heights below 97 m a.s.l., the soil formation began later, about 7000 years ago. Afterwards, the soils of this surface were subjected to the influence of fluctuations in the lake’s level. During the regression phase (7000–3500 BP), which corresponded to the dark-colored pedogenesis, these soils and the habitation deposits of the Bronze Age were formed on the dried bottom of the lake below its modern lake level of 93.2 m a.s.l. In the Late Holocene, these soils in the coastal zone were subjected to waterlogging rather than to podzolization due to the rise in the lake’s level; they have evolved into the soddy gley soils.     

Characterization of relict Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene paleosols buried in wedge-shaped structures on the southern coast of the Finnish Gulf

The physical and physicochemical properties and morphogenetic characteristics of the buried soddy gleyic and gleyed paleosols developed from the glaciolacustrine loamy sediments on the southern coast of the Finnish Gulf in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene (12–9 ka, calibrated) are considered. It is shown that the morphology and properties of these paleosols sharply differ from those of the enclosing gravelly sands deposited in the ancient basins. The latter substrates serve as the major type of soil-forming materials for the modern surface soils. The studied paleosols fill wedge-shaped structures dissecting the gravelly sediments. Their profiles are well preserved, though their normal horizontal orientation is disturbed; large soil blocks were displaced into the open wedges. The presence of these soils attests to the fact that the initial soil cover in the studied region was formed in the Late Glacial epoch soon after the retreat of the glacial sheet. The good degree of preservation of the paleopedogenic information recorded in the profiles of these paleosols is of great value for the paleoenvironmental reconstructions.     

Modern and buried soils of kurgans in the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga region (by the example of Komintern I kurgan)

The construction of the Volga–Kama cascade of water reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations in the middle of the 20th century resulted in the inundation of vast areas and the development of abrasion along the shores that threatens many monuments of the archaeological and cultural heritage. The soils buried under northernmost kurgans of the Lugovskaya culture dating back to the 15th–14th centuries BC (kurgan Komintern I) were studied on the surface of the second terrace of the Kama River near its confluence with the Volga River. Burial sites of kurgan Komintern III were subjected to destruction in 1981, and archaeological excavations of kurgan Komintern II were performed in 2008. The danger of complete disappearance of these archaeological sites necessitated their thorough study with the use of multiple methods, including special paleosol studies. The soils buried under the kurgans ceased to be active components of the soil cover about 3500 years ago. They preserve information on the paleoenvironmental conditions before their burying. The analysis of morphological features and physical, physicochemical, and chemical properties of the buried soils attests to their chernozemic nature. Background surface soils that have passed through the entire cycle of the Holocene pedogenesis have evolved since that time into gray forest soils (Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozems) under forest vegetation. These soils are characterized by the increased acidity of the surface horizons (pH_КСl 4.3) and the development of lessivage. Data on the coefficients of mineral weathering in the buried paleosols and background surface soils attest to the identical precipitation both for the surface and buried soils in the Middle and Late Holocene.     

Paleoclimatic implications of micromorphic features of Quaternary paleosols of NW Himalayas and polygenetic soils of the Gangetic Plains — A comparative study

Micromorphological examination of the paleosols (50–10 ka) developed in alluvial fan deposits of the NW Himalayas and the bordering polygenetic soils (mainly Holocene) of the Gangetic Plains has been used to differentiate the pedosedimentary features indicating climatic changes during late Quaternary time. The paleosols within rapidly aggrading sediments of the alluvial fans of the Dehradun valley resulted in response to the reduced rate of sedimentation and climatic changes and correspond to the MIS3 and MIS2 stages. Distinctive micromorphic features of these paleosols provided the details of the prevalent pedogenesis in response to the paleoclimatic changes during 50 ka. Microfabrics of these paleosols show reorganization of the pedality from massive and/or subangular blocky to platy and prismatic structures, strong to very strong mobilization of the plasma, different types of textural pedofeatures along with faunal activities. These pedofeatures are indicative of cold-humid climate with subsequent change to even colder but drier conditions during the last Glaciation. Comparison of the micromorphological characters of the paleosols of the NW Himalayas and the polygenetic soils of the Gangetic Plains show the same degree of soil development indicating 5–10 ka pedogenic intervals in alluvial fans of the Dehradun Valley. However, the difference in their pedofeatures is attributed to different pedogenic environments. The paleosols of the Dehradun Valley show predominance of the illuvial features with superposed impure silty clay on earlier clay pedofeatures and banded clay fabric features without any pedogenic calcium carbonate. The bordering Gangetic Plains are covered with polygenetic soils developed on stable surfaces and are < 13.5 ka. These surficial soils developed during the period marked by deglaciation and correspond to MIS1 stage. These are defined by the juxtaposition of different illuvial pedofeatures along with pedogenic calcium carbonate. This study suggests that formation of the paleosols in NW Himalayas was mainly controlled by warmer intervals during the last glaciation and the movement along the adjacent thrusts. While fluctuating climate punctuated with humid–semiarid–humid conditions played a major role during the formation of soils on the Gangetic Plains in Holocene that favoured illuviation, calcification and dissolution of pedogenic carbonates in the polygenetic soils.     

Nonhydrolyzable Part of Soil Organic Matter in Buried and Modern Soils

Eurasian Soil Science - Results of the study of humus composition in about 200 modern soils of different genesis and more than 100 buried Pleistocene and Holocene paleosols have been collected and...     

Mycological complexes in Holocene and Late Pleistocene paleohorizons and in fragments of paleosols

Fragments of buried Late Pleistocene (30000-year-old) and Early Holocene (10000-year-old) paleosols contained viable complexes of microscopic fungi. The mycobiota of these paleosols represents a pool of fungal spores that is lower in number and species diversity as compared to that in the recent humus horizons and higher than that in the inclosing layers. The central part of the paleosol profiles is greatly enriched in microscopic fungi. In the intact humus horizons of the Late Holocene (1000–1200 years) paleosols, actively functioning fungal complexes are present. These horizons are characterized by their higher level of CO₂ emission. The buried horizons, as compared to the recent mineral ones, contain a greater fungal biomass (by several times) and have a higher species diversity of microscopic fungi (including fungi that are not isolated from the recent horizons). Nonsporulating forms are also present there as sterile mycelium. The seasonal dynamics of the species composition and biomass of the fungal complexes were more prominent and differed from those inherent to the surface soil horizons. In the buried humus horizons, the dynamics of the fungal biomass were mainly due to the changes in the content of spores. The data on the composition of the fungal complexes in the buried soils confirm (due to the presence of stenotopic species) the results of paleobotanic analyses of the past phytocenoses or do not contradict them.     

Some applications of paleopedology in Japan

Paleosols in Japan consist of buried soils and relict soils. The former occur primarily in tephra deposit, whereas the latter occupy old land surfaces in various parts of the country. The buried soils affect construction of highways and urban development. The relict soils pose problems in forestry.The paleosols formed in tephra and buried by subsequent volcanic eruptions are chiefly Andosols with their low bulk densities, low solid ratios, high specific surfaces and high water losses. These characteristics are responsible for poor engineering performance of the paleosols and tephras. These have been especially troublesome in the Kanto plain near tokyo and around the Ashitaka Volcano. Some buried soils in tephra, as for example those in the San'in district, are exceptions to the general rule and have desirable properties for construction. Those tephras have clay fractions low in allophane and high in layer-silicate minerals.The buried soils have provided approximate ages of human artifacts through radiocarbon dating of humic horizons. Conversely, identification of artifacts found in buried soils has helped to bracket their ages.Paleosols that are relicts are chiefly members of a Red-Yellow group, many of which seem to be Udults (Ultisols). The soils apparently began forming in warmer past periods but still persist on the land surface. Such soils are strongly acid and very low in plant nutrients, with resulting low productivity when used for forestry or farming. Moreover, such soils are readily subject to erosion because of their landscape positions and poor plant cover.     

The biomass of fungal mycelium in buried paleosols and surface soils of the steppe zone

The contents of fungal mycelium have been studied in paleosols of ancient archeological monuments and in surface soils within the steppe, dry steppe, and desert zones of European Russia, on the Stavropol, Privolzhskaya, and Ergeni uplands. The buried paleosols date back to the Bronze Age (4600–4500 and 4000–3900 BP), the Early Iron Age (1900–1800 BP), and the early 18th century (1719–1721). The fungal mycelium has been found in all these paleosols. The biomass of fungal mycelium varies from 2 to 124 μg/g of soil. The distribution patterns of fungal mycelium in the profiles of buried paleosols and surface soils have been identified. It is shown that the dark-colored mycelium is typical of the ancient paleosols. In some cases, the content of the dark-colored mycelium in them may reach 100% of the total mycelium biomass.     

Utilization for agriculture and forestry of Graulehme,Tertiary paleosols in central Europe

The Graulehme (grey loams) are relict soils or paleosols formed during the Tertiary or earlier but persisting locally on land surfaces. Thus, for example, the Permotriassic peneplain of the Rhinish Massif in Germany was mantled by deep soils during most of the Tertiary, but these were largely removed during a period of uplift and dissection in the Late Tertiary and the Pleistocene. Graulehme remained on the parts of the massif that lagged behind in the general uplift and therefore suffered little erosion. These paleosols now occupy the flat and low-lying positions in the landscape. Other components of the soil pattern are Rankers, acid brown earths and Rotlehme, the last also being paleosois but of limited extent.The Graulehme are high in silt and clay, plastic, virtually impermeable and low in base saturation and plant nutrients. Consequently, the soils are not suitable for cultivation generally. Exceptions are local bodies of the paleosols where materials from acid brown earths have been mixed with or mantle the Graulehme. The paleosols are suitable for pasture without drainage but require lime, complete fertilizer and modern management. The Graulehme are also suitable for forestry. Spruce is the best adapted species, but beech and oak can also be grown.     

The morphology of cells and the biomass of microorganisms in the buried paleosols and modern steppe soils of the Lower Volga region

The morphology of microbial cells was studied, and the biomass of microorganisms was estimated in the modern steppe soils and paleosols buried under kurgans in the Lower Volga region with the methods of electron microscopy. The shape and ultrastructure of the cells in the modern soils and paleosols were similar, though their average volumes differed (0.37 and 0.28 μm³, respectively). The portion of cells with a volume above 1 μm³ in the surface soils and paleosols reached 10.9 and 9.2%, respectively, and the portion of cells with a volume less than 0.01 μm³ in the surface soils was 10% lower than that in the buried paleosols. It was found that the cells of the microorganisms have an external organomineral layer, which increases the cell volume by 4.9 times, and this fact was taken into account in the calculation of the microbial biomass. In the chestnut and light chestnut paleosols, the latter comprised 1500 and 230 μg of C/g soil, respectively.     

Complex pedogenesis related to differential aeolian sedimentation in microenvironments of the southern part of the semiarid region of Argentina

The aim of this paper is to explain soil genesis and spatial variability in the soil cover of a flat landscape in the southern part of Argentina's semiarid region. Soil survey data indicate random differences in the properties of soils lying within a few hundred meters of one another, as reflected in an intricate distribution pattern which cannot be explained by the climatic theory of soil genesis in a single pedogenetic cycle. This pattern is unrelated to the actual vegetation cover. The soil parent materials consist of a <2-m mantle of aeolian Holocene sediments overlying a thick plio-Pleistocene “tosca” layer (calcrete, caliche). The undulations in the tosca layer are indicative of a paleomicrorelief levelled up to the present surface after the deposition of the Holocene sediments. Soils with fine-textured sandy loess and strong development (Meridiano soil: A–Bw–Ck–2Ckm) occupied a higher position within paleomicrorelief of the tosca layer. Adjacent soils on border or intermediate positions of the petrocalcic paleosurface have more complex profiles with a relict calcic horizon (Vizcachera soil: A–C–2Ck–3Ckm) and coarser texture (silty clayey sand) in the topsoil. In the lower positions of the paleomicrorelief of the tosca layer, the silty clayey sand directly overlie the petrocalcic horizon (El Khazen soil: A–C–2Ckm). The intricate distribution pattern is due to the coexistence of older polypedon (Meridiano soil), remnants of an earlier erosion cycle complexed with two younger soils, one from partial erosion (Vizcachera soil) and the other where total erosion of earlier soils was followed by successive pulses of aeolian deposition (El Khazen soil). The distribution pattern of the three soils thus reflects a complex history involving at least three stages of landscape evolution.     

Comparative characterization of microbial communities in kurgans,paleosols buried under them,and background surface soils in the steppe zone of the Lower Volga region

A comparative analysis of the state of microbial communities in kurgans, paleosols buried under them, and background surface soils in the dry steppe zone of the Lower Volga region has been performed. It is shown that the population density of microorganisms of various trophic groups in the kurgans is an order of magnitude lower than that in the A1 horizon of the corresponding buried paleosols and background surface soils within the areas of chestnut, light chestnut, and solonetzic soils. The respiration activity of the microbial communities in the upper layer of the kurgans is comparable with that in the A1 horizons of the background surface soils; it decreases in the deeper layers of the kurgans. In the A1 horizon of the buried paleosols, the respiration activity is approximately the same as in the deep layers of the kurgans. In the buried paleosols, the spatial variability in the numbers of soil microorganisms is approximately the same or somewhat higher than that in the background surface soils. The spatial variability in the respiration activity of the buried paleosols is two to four times higher than that in the background surface soils.     

The development of chernozems on the Dniester-Prut interfluve in the Holocene

The development of forest-steppe and steppe chernozems on the Dniester-Prut interfluve in the Holocene was studied on the basis of data on the paleosols buried under archaeological monuments of different ages. The parameters of the mathematic models of the development of the soil humus horizons in different subtypes of chernozems were calculated. They were used to determine the rate of this process and the age of the soils formed on the surface of Trajan’s lower rampart. The climate-controlled changes in the character of the soil’s development in the Late Holocene were differently pronounced in the different subtypes of chernozems. The suggested differentiation of the trends in the development of the humus horizon in the studied chernozems corresponds to the differences in the soil-forming potential of particular areas (as judged from the energy consumption for pedogenesis).     

Production of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> by Paleosol Samples Taken in the Steppe Zone under Kurgans Constructed in the Periods of Relative Aridization and Optimum of the Climate

The studies of recent soils and paleosols buried under kurgans created in the periods of long-term aridization (3000–2000 BC) and climatic optimum (13th–14th centuries AD) were performed in steppes of the southeastern part of the East European Plain (Privolzhskaya Upland and Caspian Lowland) in order to determine the rate of carbon dioxide production by the soil samples at the natural moisture and after moistening up to 60% of the total moisture capacity. The CO₂ emission from the samples of paleosols corresponding to the period of climatic aridization in the Lower Volga River at their natural moisture status was lower than that from the samples of background surface soils, whereas the CO₂ emission from the samples of paleosols buried under optimum climatic conditions was higher than that from the samples of background surface soils. After moistening of the samples, the increase in the CO₂ emission from the paleosol samples depended on the actual humidity of the climate in the corresponding period.     

Buried paleosols of the Upper Paleolithic multilayered site Kostenki-1

The morphology and chemical and physicochemical properties of paleosols buried at the Upper Paleolithic multilayered site Kostenki-1 in Kostenki–Borshchevo district of Voronezh oblast were studied. Four in situ paleosols formed 20–40(45) ka ago were separated in the archaeological excavation. Together with the surface soils, they characterized two different epochs of pedogenesis—the interstadial and interglacial (Holocene) epochs—and three shorter cycles of pedogenesis. The traces of human occupation in the studied hollow in the Late Paleolithic were found in the layers corresponding to the interstadial epoch. The buried paleosols had a simple horizonation: A(W)–C. A shallow thickness of the soil profiles could be due to relatively short periods of pedogenesis and to the shallow embedding by the carbonate geochemical barrier. The degree of the organic matter humification in the paleosols varied from 0.6 to 1.5, which corresponded to the mean duration of the period of biological activity of 60 to 150 days per year characterizing the climatic conditions of the tundra, taiga, forest-steppe, and steppe natural zones. In the excavation Kostenki-1 (2004–2005), soil–sediment sequences composed of five series of lithological layers with soil layers on top of them were found. Their deposition proceeded in two phases—the water phase and the aerial phase—that predetermined the morphology and composition of the soil–sediment sequences. The history of sediment accumulation in the studied hollow consisted of five stages. Similar morphologies and compositions of the soil–sediment sequences corresponding to these stages attest to the cyclic pattern of their development. The stages of sedimentation and soil formation corresponded to cyclic climate fluctuations with changes in the temperature and moisture conditions. A comparative analysis of the morphology and properties of the paleosols and soil–sediment sequences made it possible to characterize the environmental conditions of ancient humans and the dynamics of the climate during the past 50 ka.     

Holocene paleosols and colluvial sediments in Northeast Tibet (Qinghai Province,China): Properties,dating and paleoenvironmental implications

Colluvial deposits consisting of silts and loams were detected in several climatologically different areas of NE Tibet (3200–3700 m a.s.l.). Layering, distinct organic content and low content of coarse matter as well as location in the relief revealed an origin from low-energy slope erosion (hillwash). Underlying and intercalated paleosols were classified as Chernozems, Phaeozems, Regosols and Fluvisols. Fifteen radiocarbon datings predominant on charcoal from both colluvial layers and paleosols yielded ages between 8988 ± 66 and 3512 ± 56 uncal BP. Natural or anthropogenic factors could have been the triggers of the erosional processes derived. It remains unclear which reason was mainly responsible, due to controversial paleoclimatic and geomorphic records as well as insufficient archaeological knowledge from this region. Determinations of charcoal and fossil wood revealed the Holocene occurrence of tree species (spruce, juniper) for areas which nowadays have no trees or only few forest islands. Thus large areas of NE Tibet which are at present steppes and alpine pastures were forested in the past.     

Natural and Anthropogenic Changes in the Soils and Environment of the Moskva River Floodplain in the Holocene: Pedogenic,Palynological, and Anthracological Evidences

Several series of well-developed paleosols of different ages have been examined on the Moskva River floodplain. In the beginning of the Holocene, forest-steppe biomes were widespread in this area, and dark-humus (Black) soils with stable humate humus and without features of textural differentiation predominated on the floodplain. The presence of meadow-steppe vegetation communities during this period is confirmed by the results of palynological and anthracological analyses. The lower paleosol in section RANIS 2 is represented by the deep humus horizon with ¹⁴C dates from 5500 to 8400 BP and the carbonate-accumulative horizon; it also contains large and deep tunnels of burrowing animals typical of chernozems. Wood charcoal is absent, and pollen of Artemisia and Chenopodium species predominates. Paleosols of the second half of the Holocene are represented by gray-humus and soddy-podzolic soils (Luvisols). In these soils and in the alluvial sediments, beginning from the Subboreal period, pollen of trees predominates; there are abundant charcoal of spruce and burnt spruce needles. In that time, forest-steppe and broadleaved forest biomes on the floodplain were replaced by southern taiga biomes. The second half of the Holocene is also specified by the human impacts on the local landscapes. Palynological and anthracological data attest to the large-scale burning of forests for pastures in the Bronze Age and, later, for cropland. The paleosol of the Iron Age is enriched in humus. It contains tunnels of burrowing animals related to the stage of anthropogenic meadows. It also contains pyrogenic calcite. The recent centuries have been characterized by extremely high floods triggered by the human activity; they have been accompanied by the fast accumulation of coarse-textured alluvial sediments and the formation of weakly developed alluvial soils.     

Stratigraphy and land use of the Post-Diamond Hill Paleosol,western Oregon

The Post-Diamond Hill Paleosol generally underlies Late Pleistocene sediments of the Willamette Formation. However, in numerous localities in the Willamette Valley, reddish gray clay paleosols either outcrop at the surface or occur within soil profile depth. Then they are part of soils of the modern landscape. Where the paleosols outcrop, the soils are mostly Typic Pelloxererts in the fine, montmorillonitic, mesic family. Because of the nature of the paleosols, these soils are poorly suited for nearly all intensive uses; the dominant use is hay and pasture.     

Buried late holocene paleosols of the nienshants cultural-historical monument in St. Petersburg

Buried Late Holocene paleosols of the Nienshants historical monument at the junction of the Neva and Okhta rivers (St. Petersburg) have been studied. These soils developed from estuary deposits of the Littorina basin with abundant artifacts of the Neolithic and Early Iron ages (7–2 ka BP). The soil cover of the area consists of the mature dark-humus profile-gleyed soils on elevated elements of the mesotopography (3.0–3.5 a.s.l.) and dark-humus gley soils in the local depressions (2.0–2.6 m a.s.l.). The soils are characterized by the low to moderate content of humus of the fulvate-humate type. The beginning of humus formation in the dark-humus gley soil on the slope facing the Neva River is estimated at about 2600 yrs ago; for the darkhumus profile-gleyed soils of the studied paleocatena, at about 2000 and 1780 yrs ago; and for the darkhumus gley soil, at about 1440 years ago. Judging from the spore-pollen spectra, the development of these soils took place in the Subatlantic period under birch and pine-birch forests with the admixture of spruce and alder trees. The gleyed horizons of the buried soil at the depth of 1.6–1.2 m on the Neva-facing slope date back to the Late Subboreal period (2500–2600 yrs ago), when pine-birch-spruce forests were widespread in the area. The new data contribute to our knowledge of the environmental conditions during the Neolithic and Iron ages.