Interactions of fulvic acid with aluminium and a proto‐imogolite sol: the contribution of E‐horizon eluates to podzolization

The podzolization process is examined in the light of measurements of the solubility characteristics of aluminium fulvate, the extent of dissolution of a proto‐imogolite sol by fulvic acid, the adsorption capacity of proto‐imogolite for fulvic acid and aluminium fulvate, and published evidence. Fulvic acid at 500 mg l^?1 acting on a proto‐imogolite (PI) preparation containing 0.95 mmol l^?1 Al as PI did not bring enough Al into solution at pH 4.5–5.0 over 4–15 months to cause significant precipitation of the fulvic acid. As allophanic Bs horizons of podzols typically have pH ≥ 4.8, fulvic acids entering them in drainage water cannot be quantitatively precipitated by dissolution of Al from the allophane. They are, however, strongly absorbed on the allophane, and this must be the mechanism that removes most of the fulvic acid at the top of the Bs horizon, and which contributes, along with colloidal humus and root decomposition, to the formation of a Bh horizon. We conclude that fulvic acid plays no active role in podzolization, but only recycles Al and Fe, that have been transferred by biological processes to the O horizon, back to the Bh horizon. The podzolization process, which leads to the formation of an allophanic Bs horizon underlying a progressively deepening E horizon, requires the dissolution of Al‐humate and allophanic precipitates at the Bh–Bs interface as well as progressive attack on the more readily weatherable minerals. Inorganic acids, particularly episodic fluxes of nitric acid, could play a major role in this, as well as attack by readily metabolized complexing acids such as oxalic and citric acids released by roots and fungi. In addition to throwing light on the podzolization process, the experimental results provide an explanation of the lower limit to C:Al ratios reported in natural waters, and a check on the applicability of the WHAM chemical equilibrium model to Al–fulvate–proto‐imogolite equilibria. In Ca‐containing fulvate solutions, Al‐fulvate begins to precipitate when C:Al falls below 50, which is also the limiting ratio observed in natural waters. WHAM calculations overestimate by 70–85% the amount of Al‐fulvate formed over 4 months at pH 4.5–5.0 in Ca‐containing fulvate–imogolite systems.     

Mechanisms controlling the mobility of dissolved organic matter, aluminium and iron in podzol B horizons

The processes governing the (im)mobilization of Al, Fe and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in podzols are still subject to debate. In this study we investigated the mechanisms of (im)mobilization of Al, Fe and organic matter in the upper and lower B horizons of two podzols from the Netherlands that are in different stages of development. We equilibrated batches of soil material from each horizon with DOM solutions obtained from the Oh horizon of the corresponding soil profiles. We determined the amount of (im)mobilized Al, Fe and DOM after addition of Al and Fe at pH 4.0 and 4.5 and initial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations of 10 mg C litre^?1 or 30 mg C litre^?1, respectively. At the combination of pH and DOC concentrations most realistic for the field situation, organic matter was retained in all horizons, the most being retained in the lower B horizon of the well‐developed soil and the least in the upper B horizon of the younger profile. Organic matter solubility seemed to be controlled mainly by precipitation as organo‐metal complexes and/or by adsorption on freshly precipitated solid Al‐ and Fe‐phases. In the lower B horizons, at pH 4.5, solubility of Al and Fe appeared to be controlled mainly by the equilibrium with secondary solid Al‐ and Fe‐phases. In the upper B horizons, the solubility of Al was controlled by adsorption processes, while Fe still precipitated as inorganic complexes as well as organic complexes in spite of the prevailing more acidic pH. Combined with a previous study of eluvial horizons from the same profiles, the results confirm the important role of organic matter in the transport of Al and Fe to create illuvial B horizons initially and subsequently deepening and differentiating them into Bh and Bs horizons.     

Chemical and mineralogical properties of sandy and loamy-sandy ochreous brown earths in relation to incipient podzolization in a brown earth—podzol evolutive sequence

Chemical and mineralogical properties of ochreous brown earths have been studied with particular reference to: (1) the distribution within the profiles of Fe and Al compounds; (2) the occurrence of smectite-like clay minerals in surface horizons. Ochreous brown earths studied belong to a developmental sequence of forest soils, from acid brown earths to ferric podzols, developed on sandy or loamy-sandy acid parent materials. In such a soil sequence, both selective chemical and mineralogical data show clearly that podzolization is already active in ochreous brown earths, whereas such an incipient podzolization is quite undetectable by direct morphological observations. The distribution patterns of amorphous Fe and Al hydrous oxides and organic associations, clearly show the intergrade character of ochreous brown earths, when compared with the vertical distribution of Fe and Al forms in acid brown earths and podzolized soils. The Fe/Al ratio of both an NH₄-oxalate extract and an NaOH/Na-tetraborate extract buffered at pH 9.7, measured in the A₁B diagnostic horizon of ochreous brown earths, is a particularly appropriate and useful genetic criterion for the detection of incipient podzolization. Moreover, the presence of expansible clay minerals (degradation smectites) in the clay-sized fraction of the surface horizons of ochreous brown earths (A₁ and A₁B) can be considered as supplementary evidence of incipient podzolization.     

Podzolization as a deferralitization process: a study of an Acrisol–Podzol sequence derived from Palaeozoic sandstones in the northern upper Amazon Basin

Morphological, geochemical and mineralogical studies were carried out in a representative soil catena of the low‐elevation plateaux of the upper Amazon Basin to interpret the steps and mechanisms involved in the podzolization of low‐activity clay soils. The soils are derived from Palaeozoic sandstones. They consist of Hydromorphic Podzols under tree savannah in the depressions of the plateaux and predominantly of Acrisols covered by evergreen forest elsewhere. Incipient podzolization in the uppermost Acrisols is related to the formation of organic‐rich A and Bhs horizons slightly depleted in fine‐size particles by both mechanical particle transfer and weathering. Weathering of secondary minerals by organic acids and formation of organo‐metallic complexes act simultaneously over short distances. Their vertical transfer is limited. Selective dissolution of aluminous goethite, then gibbsite and finally kaolinite favour the preferential cheluviation of first Fe and secondly Al. The relatively small amount of organo‐metallic complexes produced is related to the quartzitic parent materials, and the predominance of Al over Fe in the spodic horizons is due to the importance of gibbsite in these low‐activity clay soils. Morphologically well‐expressed podzols occur in strongly iron‐depleted topsoils of the depression. Mechanical transfer and weathering of gibbsite and kaolinite by organic acids is enhanced and leads to residual accumulation of sands. Organo‐metallic complexes are translocated in strongly permeable sandy horizons and impregnate at depth the macro‐voids of embedded soil and saprolite materials to form the spodic Bs and 2BCs horizons. Mechanical transfer of black particulate organic compounds devoid of metals has occurred later within the sandy horizons of the podzols. Their vertical transfer has formed well‐differentiated A and Bh horizons. Their lateral removal by groundwater favours the development of an albic E horizon. In an open and waterlogged environment, the general trend is therefore towards the removal of all the metals that have initially accumulated as a response to the ferralitization process and have temporarily been sequestrated in organic complexes in previous stages of soil podzolization.     

Podzol development with time in sandy beach deposits in southern Norway

The coastal areas of SE Norway provide suitable conditions for studying soil development with time, because unweathered land surfaces have continuously been raised above sea level by glacio‐isostatic uplift since the termination of the last ice age. We investigated Podzol development in a chronosequence of six soils on sandy beach deposits with ages ranging from 2,300 to 9,650 y at the W coast of the Oslofjord. The climate in this area is rather mild with a mean annual temperature of 6°C and an annual precipitation of 975 mm (Sandefjord). The youngest soil showed no evidence of podzolization, while slight lightening of the A horizon of the second soil (3,800 years) indicated initial leaching of organic matter (OM). In the 4,300 y–old soil also Fe and humus accumulation in the B horizon were perceptible, but only the 6,600 y–old and older soils exhibited spodic horizons. Accumulation of OM in the A horizons reached a steady state in <2,300 y, while in the B horizons OM accumulated at increasing rates. pH dropped from 6.6 (H₂O)/5.9 (KCl) in the recent beach sand to 4.5 (H₂O)/3.8 (KCl) within approx. 4,500 y (pH_H2O)/2,500 y (pH_KCl) and stayed constant thereafter, which was attributed to sesquioxide buffering. Base saturation showed an exponential decrease with time. Progressive weathering was reflected by increasing Fe_d and Al_d contents, and proceeding podzolization by increasing amounts of pyrophophate‐ and oxalate‐soluble Fe and Al with soil age. These increases could be best described for most Fe and Al fractions by exponential models. Only the increasing amounts of Fe_p could be better described by a power function and those of Fe_o by a linear model.     

Modelling pH buffering and aluminium solubility in European forest soils

The pH buffering and aluminium solubility characteristics of acid soil are important in determining the soil's response to changes in precipitation acidity. The chemistry of soil organic matter (humic substances) plays a key role in both processes, yet is complex and still poorly understood. Nevertheless, models of humic substance chemistry have been developed, one of which is WHAM–S, which contains a model (Model V) of proton and metal binding at discrete sites on humic substances and considers electrostatic effects on the binding strength. Here we have tested the ability of WHAM–S to model solution pH and Al using batch titration studies on organic and mineral soil horizons from forested sites in Norway, Germany and Spain, with ambient pH values from 3.73 to 5.73. We optimized the model predictions by adjusting the amounts of soil aluminium and humic substances within defined limits, taking the contents of copper chloride‐extractable Al and the base‐extractable organic matter as starting values. The model simulated both pH and dissolved Al well with optimized amounts of aluminium and humic substances within the defined limits (root mean squared error for pH from 0.01 to 0.22, for p[Al]_aq (total dissolved Al) from 0.03 to 0.49, five data points). Control of dissolved Al by dissolved organic matter was important particularly at above‐ambient pH. In two mineral horizons we improved the fits by assuming that Al could precipitate as Al(OH)₃. The optimized model also gave reasonable predictions of pH and dissolved Al in supernatants obtained by repeated leaching of the soil horizons. The results show that humic substances dominate the control of pH and dissolved Al in most of the horizons studied. Control by Al(OH)₃ occurs but is the exception.     

Soil organic matter stabilization in acidic forest soils is preferential and soil type-specific

Minerals with large specific surface areas promote the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM). We analysed three acidic soils (dystric, skeletic Leptic Cambisol; dystric, laxic Leptic Cambisol; skeletic Leptic Entic Podzol) under Norway spruce (Picea abies) forest with different mineral compositions to determine the effects of soil type on carbon (C) stabilization in soil. The relationship between the amount and chemical composition of soil organic matter (SOM), clay content, oxalate‐extractable Fe and Al (Fe_o; Al_o), and dithionite‐extractable Fe (Fe_d) before and after treatment with 10% hydrofluoric acid (HF) in topsoil and subsoil horizons was analysed. Radiocarbon age, ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra, lignin phenol content and neutral sugar content in the soils before and after HF‐treatment were determined and compared for bulk soil samples and particle size separates. Changes in the chemical composition of SOM after HF‐treatment were small for the A‐horizons. In contrast, for B‐horizons, HF‐soluble (mineral‐associated) and HF‐resistant (non‐mineral‐associated) SOM showed systematic differences in functional C groups. The non‐mineral associated SOM in the B‐horizons was significantly depleted in microbially‐derived sugars, and the contribution of O/N‐alkyl C to total organic C was less after HF‐treatment. The radiocarbon age of the mineral‐associated SOM was younger than that of the HF‐resistant SOM in subsoil horizons with small amounts of oxalate‐extractable Al and Fe. However, in horizons with large amounts of oxalate‐extractable Al and Fe the HF‐soluble SOM was considerably older than the HF‐resistant SOM. In acid subsoils a specific fraction of the organic C pool (O/N‐alkyl C; microbially‐derived sugars) is preferentially stabilized by association with Fe and Al minerals. Stabilization of SOM with the mineral matrix in soils with large amounts of oxalate‐extractable Al_o and Fe_o results in a particularly stable and relatively old C pool, which is potentially stable for thousands of years.     

The influence of land management on concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and its effects on the mobilization of aluminium and iron in podzol soils in Mid-Wales

Abstract. The aluminium (Al), iron (Fe) and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) contents of the soil solution were monitored in two upland grassland and afforested podzol soils in Mid-Wales. Al organo-metallic complexes predominated in the O horizon leachates of the grassland soil, whereas inorganic monomeric Al forms dominated in the lower mineral horizons. Dissolved organic matter determines the chemistry, solubility, and transport of Al and Fe in the O horizon, and these are under strong biological control. The distributions of organic-Al, Fe and DOC within the soil profile were consistent with traditional podzolization theory. Observed increases in the molar ratios of Al:DOC in solution in the lower soil horizons may be responsible for the small solubility of Al organo-metallic complexes in those horizons. Afforestation increased the concentrations of organic-Al and Fe in the soil solution as compared with the concentrations observed for the grassland soil. Clearcutting further significantly mobilized Al and Fe from the upper soil horizon, primarily by increasing the DOC concentration in the soil water.     

Incipient podzolization processes in Humic Acrisols of southern Spain

Soils with morphological evidence of podzolization occur in Sierra Morena (southern Spain). Six soils, identified as Humic Acrisols, were sampled for detailed study. Distribution of oxalate- and EDTA-extractable Al in Fe in the profiles indicated that substantial amounts of both elements had been translocated from the A to the incipient podzolic B horizons. Part of the Al, but almost no Fe, was present as organic complexes, suggesting that these two elements were transported to, or remobilized in the B horizons by different mechanisms. Allophane was present, albeit in small amounts, in two soils. Both inorganic and organic theories of podzolization were able to explain the Fe and Al distribution data.     

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.     

Sorption of phosphorus by some surface soils from Quebec in relation to their properties

Abstract

Surface horizons from Podzolic and Gleysolic soils were collected in various parts of the province of Quebec, Canada, and equilibrated with various amounts of KH₂PO₄ in 0.01 M CaCl₂ for 48 hours. P sorption data conformed to the linear form of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. P solubility isotherms showed evidence of hydroxyapatite formation in most samples studied, whereas equilibration solutions of only few samples were saturated with respect to either dicalcium phoshate dihydrate or octocalcium phosphate. These reaction products were associated to soil pH and levels of added phosphate. The average values of the Langmuir sorption maximum for these studied Gleysolic and Podzolic samples were 763 and 1096 μg/g respectively. These values were higher than those obtained by the segmented and modified Freundlich models.

Relationships between the soil characteristics and P sorption parameters were evaluated by regression analysis. Among all variables, oxalate‐extractable Fe plus Al content of the Podzolic samples and the ratio of oxalate—extractable Al to clay of the Gleysolic samples gave the best significant correlation coefficients. Furthermore, soil pH and various ratios such as pyrophosphate‐extractable Fe and Al, oxalate‐extractable Fe and organic matter to clay were found to be significantly correlated only with the P sorption parameters of the Gleysolic samples.     

Tracing Pb Pollution Penetration in Temperate Podzols

We combine high‐resolution soil sampling with lead (Pb) analyses (concentrations and stable isotopes) in two temperate podzols, together with previous data obtained with selective Al and Fe dissolution techniques. We aim to assess how atmospheric Pb is incorporated into the soils during pedogenesis. Partial least squares modelling for Pb concentrations shows that the podzolization process has the largest effect on Pb concentration (80·3% of the variance). The proportion of inorganic secondary compounds, the input of fresh organic matter from the soil surface and the relative abundance of Fe versus Al are responsible for a small part of the Pb concentration variance. Lead isotopic composition (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios) depends on soil organic matter content either fresh/poorly humified (57·3% of the variance) or humified (24·7% of the variance). The Pb linked to inorganic compounds and the overall podzolization process play a minor role in isotopic signature (5·3 and 3·7% of the variance respectively). Soil pH appears to be the controlling variable of the different transport and retention mechanisms. The relatively low isotopic ratios observed in spodic horizons result from geogenic Pb released through the preferential dissolution of the isotopically distinct most weatherable minerals of the parent material in the eluvial horizons, which undergoes downward mobilization. An accurate knowledge of soil reactive components and formation mechanisms is essential to a correct diagnose of the scope of Pb pollution and a more effective design of remediation strategies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Water-soluble organic matter in incipient podzols: accumulation in B horizons or in fibres?

To elucidate the mechanism of podzolization in its first stages we studied the fate of the water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) in incipient podzols in sandy soils by comparing the composition of the WSOM from L, F and H horizons with that in the bulk of the Bh horizons and fibres of three profiles. The WSOM appeared to consist significantly of ligno-cellulose and proteins, but these biopolymers were hardly present in the Bh horizons. The material of the fibres, however, greatly resembled the WSOM composition, thereby suggesting that in these soils most of the WSOM is transported through the B horizon and accumulates hardly changed in thin bands where the water stops moving. This implies that in the early steps of podzolization, accumulation of organic matter in the B horizon is not likely to be caused by water-soluble material.     

Mobilization of dissolved organic matter, aluminium and iron in podzol eluvial horizons as affected by formation of metal-organic complexes and interactions with solid soil material

Interactions with dissolved organic matter (DOM) are generally believed to play a crucial role in the translocation of Al and Fe in acid sandy soils. Binding of Al and Fe to DOM affects their mobility in soils by altering sorption equilibria of charged sites on solid soil material, inducing precipitation of organo‐metallic complexes and preventing the formation of inorganic Al and Fe phases. The relative importance of the different processes, especially with respect to the translocation of Al, Fe and organic matter in podzols, remains unresolved. We determined the effect of the presence of solid soil material from the eluvial (AhE and AE, respectively) horizons of a Fimic Anthrosol and a Haplic Podzol on the metal‐to‐organic carbon (M/C) ratio in solution and the formation of dissolved organic Al and Fe complexes. Furthermore, we assessed the resulting influence on the mobilization of Al, Fe and DOM. Even under considerable metal loading, the M/C ratios and ‘free’ metal fractions in solution remained low and relatively constant, due to an apparent buffering by the solid phase and the formation of organo‐metal complexes in solution. The M/C ratios remained so low that significant precipitation of organo‐metal complexes due to saturation with metals was not found. The apparent buffering by the solid phase can be explained by a strong release of organic matter from solid soil material and adsorption of non‐complexed Al and Fe on solid organic matter upon metal addition. Adsorption of organo‐metal complexes most likely played only a minor role. The observations confirm the expected mobilization of Al, Fe and DOM in eluvial horizons and seem to indicate that even under fluctuating input of Al, Fe and DOM the soil solution will have a constant composition with respect to M/C ratios and percentage of Al and Fe present in dissolved organo‐metal complexes.     

Pedogenic processes of placic and spodic horizons in subtropical subalpine forest soils with contrasting textures

Placic (Bsm) and spodic (Bhs) horizons are common in subalpine or alpine forest soils in Taiwan. Bsm horizons are found more usually in finer textured soils than those with Bhs horizons. To understand the different formation processes in Bsm and Bhs horizons in a humid subtropical ecosystem, we identified micro‐morphological features by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and electron probe micro‐analysis (EPMA), and determined the physiochemical properties by chemical extractions and clay mineralogy. The study included four pedons with well‐developed Bsm horizons from our previous study and four with well‐developed Bhs horizons at other sites. Both sites were in subtropical mountain forests with similar climate, topography and general geology but over regoliths with distinctly different textures. Micro‐morphology revealed a vughy (small cavities lined with in‐washed materials) microstructure in Bsm horizons but a granular structure with bridge microstructures between coarse grains in Bhs horizons. Chemical analysis revealed more free pedogenic iron (Fe_d) and aluminium (Al_d) in Bsm than in Bhs horizons, but more organically complexed Al (Al_p) in Bhs horizons. Energy dispersive spectrometry revealed predominant Fe, oxygen (O) and carbon (C) in the matrix of the Bsm horizons, whereas Al, silicon (Si) and C were the major elements of interstitial materials in Bhs horizons. Polarizing microscopy and EPMA spectra confirmed the illuvial nature of organic Al complexes in Bhs horizons. The transformation of clay minerals showed more intense podzolization in Bhs horizons than in Bsm horizons. The different formation mechanisms in Bsm and Bhs horizons result from contrasting texture; redox processes are predominant in Bsm horizons because of the clayey texture whereas podzolization is predominant in sandy Bhs horizons.     

Surface podzolization in Cambisols under deciduous forest in the Belgian loess belt

Surface podzolization involves the migration of metal–humus complexes to a depth of a few centimetres. In acid soils derived from loess, this process has been diagnosed mainly by morphological observation. We investigated this process in a toposequence of Luvisols and Cambisols on loess using selective extraction and mineralogical data as well as characteristics of the leaf litter. The humus type (O and OAh horizons) is a moder in the three Luvisols and one of the Cambisols, whereas it is a fibrimor in the two other Cambisols. The contents in total alkaline and alkaline‐earth cations range from 35 to 60 cmol_c kg^?1 in the fibrimor and from 40 to 90 cmol_c kg^?1 in the moder humus. In the two Cambisols with fibrimor smectite occurs in the clay fraction of the Ah horizon; Fe–humus complexes seem to have moved, but no more than 9 cm, from the Ah to the AB horizon beneath. Relative to the Ah horizon, the upper part of the AB has larger tetraborate‐extractable Fe/Al ratio and optical density of the oxalate extract. Such features converge to diagnose surface podzolization in the Cambisols with fibrimor. However, they were not detected in the Cambisol and Luvisols with moder. In the two Cambisols with fibrimor, surface podzolization is consistent with (i) their smaller iron content, (ii) their more advanced weathering stage and (iii) their lower acid neutralizing capacity.     

Distribution of rare-earth (Y,La, Ce) and other heavy metals in the profiles of the podzolic soil group

Along with Fe and Al, many heavy metals (Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Ni) show a markedly pronounced eluvial-illuvial redistribution in the profiles of soils of the podzolic group. The intensity of the redistribution of the bulk forms of these metals is comparable with that of Fe and exceeds that of Al. Although the podzolic soils are depleted of rare-earth metals, the latter respond readily to soil podzolization. The inactive participation of Al is explained by an insignificant portion of the active reaction-capable fraction. Podzolization does not influence the profile distribution of Sr and Ba. The leaching degree of heavy metals such as Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Zr is noticeably higher in the sandy podzols than in the loamy podzolic soils. Leaching of heavy metals from the podzolic horizons is of geochemical importance, whereas the depletion of metals participating in plant nutrition and biota development is of ecological importance. The leaching of heavy metals is related to the destruction of clay particles in the heavy-textured podzolic soils; the effect of the soil acidity on the leaching of heavy metals is less significant.     

Movement of aluminium as an inorganic complex in some podzolised soils,New Zealand

Chemical and mineralogical data are presented for three Spodosols (podzols) and a related Inceptisol (yellow-brown loam). Allophane with an Al/Si atomic ratio close to two is identified in the B horizons of all four soils, and minor amounts of imogolite are present in association with allophane in all but one soil where small-particle gibbsite occurs. Parent materials for these soils are essentially non-vitric. Allophane (Al/Si = 2) has been estimated quantitatively in all soils using oxalate-extractable Si (Si₀) and is selected clay fractions using both Si₀ and infrared spectroscopy. Maximum concentrations of allophane (Al/Si = 2) range from 5% to 18% of fine earth (< 2 mm) fractions and all occur in B horizons. Fe₀ values are low relative to Al₀ values except for the upper horizons of the Inceptisol. Al₀ values peak in B horizons and the ratio pyrophosphate-extractable Al to Al₀ decreases from about 1 in A and upper B horizons to 0.1–0.4 in lower B horizons.An interpretation of the data is consistent with recent proposals that the movement of Al in podzolisation is due primarily to the formation of inorganic complexes with Si. Chemical criteria for spodic horizons should be consistent with the total illuviation of Al and Fe (and perhaps Si), rather than just the organic-bound fraction of Al and Fe in these horizons as indicated by amounts in extractants such as pyrophosphate.     

Influence of afforestation on soil genesis,morphology and properties in glacial till deposits

A study of soil morphological, physical and chemical properties was performed in woodland of different ages, in which spruce (Picea abies), aspen (Populus tremula) and birch (Betula pendula) growing stocks have colonized former agricultural land. The aim of the study was to clarify changes in soil genesis, morphology and properties due to the afforestation of abandoned agricultural land in glacial till deposits. The research showed that soil in these deposits (loamy sand, loam, clay) retains the morphological properties of agricultural land for up to 100 years. Secondary podzolization features in the soil profiles were observed within 100 years of the start of afforestation, whereas the diagnostic properties of Albic and Spodic horizons had not developed in the soil profile after 200 years. This study demonstrated that the morphological and physico-chemical properties of forest litter horizons, including the accumulation of organic substances, are dependent on forest age; however, changes in the properties of mineral soil horizons are mainly related to woodland age. Following the afforestation of agricultural lands, changes in soil pH_KCl, organic matter content and extractable Al and Fe concentrations occur more rapidly than changes in soil diagnostic properties and profile formation.