CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BROWN PODZOLIC SOILS IN COMPARISON WITH SOILS OF OTHER GROUPS

Chemical and mineralogical properties of brown podzolic soils, brown earths, a podzol, and an Andept have been studied with particular reference to the kinds and distribution of amorphous materials. In addition to pyrophosphate extractable (Fe + Al)/per cent clay, brown podzolic soils can be distinguished from brown earths by Fe-oxalate/Fe-dithionite and Fe-pyrophosphate/Fe-dithionite ratios, fluoride reactivity, and the presence of intergrade 2:1-2:2 and smectite-like clay minerals in surface horizons. Significant amounts of amorphous alumino-silicates resembling allophane were found in the Bs horizons of the brown podzolic soils, particularly those on igneous rocks. These amounts are sufficiently large to suggest the recognition of an Andic sub-group of brown podzolic soils in England and Wales.     

Characteristics of brown forest soils developed on the paleozoic shale in northern Kyoto with special reference to their pedogenetic process

Abstract

Morphological and chemical properties of brown forest soils and podzolic soils developed on paleozoic shale under beech and/or cryptomeria have been studied with special reference to the eluviation-illuviation characteristics of Fe and Al.

Mobilization of Al was observed even in brown forest soils and its pattern was similar to that in podzolic soils. Its intensity was higher in the brown forest soils developed on the ridge under cryptomeria than in those on the slope under beech. Hence, podzolization is considered to be one of the genetic processes involved in the brown forest soils in question.

Furthermore, the value of (Fep+Alp)/clay that is employed to define a podzolic B or spodic horizon indicated the presence of a podzolic B horizon even in the brown forest soils studied, while no spodic horizon was found even in the podzolic soils with a clearly recognizable albic horizon. Moreover, the examination of the degree of podzolization showed that the brown forest soils almost corresponded to Ochreous brown earths.     

Disintegration of the clay fraction in the eluvial horizons of some Danish podzolized soils

Abstract

Using sequential extractions, total elemental analysis, and X‐ray diffraction, we have investigated the impact of the podzolization process on component composition of the clay fraction in the eluvial horizons of eight more or less podzolized Danish soils. The results indicate that podzolization is highly aggressive towards all clay components in the eluvial horizons eventually leading to their disintegration. The 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals, illite and chlorite, are first transformed into other 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals. After passing through a microcrystalline phase high in Si but low in Al, Fe, Mg, and K, they finally disintegrate completely. Even gibbsite and kaolinite disintegrate under the aggressive conditions, caused among other things by the presence of dissolved complex forming organic molecules in these horizons. Application of lime and fertilizers seems to be able to reverse the process in case of the 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals.     

Roles of iron and clay in Genesis of acid soils under a humid,temperate climate

The occurence of acid brown soils, podzols and podzolic soils, and the intermediate types of ochreous brown and brown podzolic soils over arenaceous granite in Vosges was closely correlated with the contents of iron rather than with calcium plus magnesium in the parent materials. Acid brown soils were associated with high and podzols and podzolic soils with low contents of iron, the limiting value being near 5 percent. Additional investigations in beech forests of soils derived from a variety of acid rocks indicated that contents of iron and clay in the parent materials controlled the type of humification of litter. With higher contents of iron and clay, humification gave rise to mull. With lower contents, mor or moder was formed. The nature of humification was believed responsible for tilting pedogenesis toward brunification or toward podzolization. In brunification, the clay-iron-humus complexes that are formed tend to be immobile and promote formation of crumbly structure. The “active iron” occurs as films around clay particles and thus links them to humus. In podzolization, on the other hand, the complexes formed are of humus with iron or aluminum but without clay. These are mobile and are translocated downward in profiles to form spodic horizons. The organo-metal complexes in ochreous brown and brown podzolic soils are mobile to only a limited extent. The combined results of these investigations demonstrate that contents of iron and clay rather than calcium in parent materials determine the pathway of pedogenesis from acid rocks under humid, temperate climates.     

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.     

Fixation of radiocaesium in an acid brown forest soil

The OAh and Ah horizons of acid brown and podzolic forest soils are reported to fix more radiocaesium than the mineral B horizons beneath them. We determined the respective influence of organic matter and clay minerals on the magnitude of Cs⁺ retention in a strongly acid brown forest soil in Belgium. The soil contained mica throughout the profile. Vermiculite was identified in the OAh and Ah horizons, and hydroxy interlayered vermiculite (HIV) in the Bw horizon. The OAh and Ah clay fraction retained much more Cs⁺ than the Bw horizon. The extraction of Al interlayers by Na-citrate resulted in a marked increase in Cs⁺ fixation in the Bw clays as well as the collapse of the vermiculitic layers after K⁺ saturation. Organic matter had a strong but indirect effect on Cs⁺ fixation. In the Bw horizon, acid weathering of layer silicates releases free Al and produces HIV minerals in which Al polymers block the access of radiocaesium onto Cs⁺-specific sites. In OAh and Ah horizons, free Al is complexed by organic acids. Consequently, the interlayer specific sites remain accessible for Cs⁺ fixation.     

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.     

Characterization of Andosols in Yakushima Island

We examined soils derived from volcanic ash of Kikai-Akahoya tephra on Yakushima Island, Japan, and classified them according to the Unified Soil Classification System of Japan, 2nd Approximation (USCSJ 2nd) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Five pedons with horizons showing high (>20%) volcanic glass content were investigated. Soils developed under evergreen broad-leaved forests had high acid oxalate-extractable aluminum (Alo) and acid oxalate-extractable silicon (Sio) concentrations, and low acid oxalate-extractable iron (Fe)/dithionite-citrate-extractable Fe ratio. This indicates a warmer climate and less severe leaching conditions compared with soils developed under coniferous forests dominated by Cryptomeria japonica and grasslands dominated by Pseudosasa owatarii. All soils contained considerable amount of hydroxyl-Al-interlayered 2:1 clay minerals. The surface horizons of the pedons developed under the cool-temperate C. japonica forests contained smectite as a result of podzolization. However, the surface horizon of the pedon developed under cool-temperate P. owatarii grasslands did not contain smectite. All pedons belonged to the Kuroboku soils great group (USCSJ 2nd) and Andosols (WRB). Pedons in mountainous areas did not contain horizons with more than 6?g?kg^?1 of Sio and hence were classified as non-allophanic Andosols. In mountainous areas, it was observed that allophane formation was inhibited by Al leaching due to intense rainfall (>10,000?mm year^?1); Al consumption due to the formation of the Al-humus complex; and Al incorporation into the interlayers of vermiculite. The low soil water pH [pH(H₂O)] and leaching of silicon (Si) in mountainous areas would support these anti-allophanic effects.     

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.     

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.     

Characteristics of brown forest soils developed under beech forests in the kinki and the tohoku districts with special reference to their pedogenetic processes

Abstract

Properties of sesquioxides, clay mineralogical composition, and charge characteristics of Brown Forest soils developed under beech forests in the Kinki (Ohdaigahara) and the Tohoku District (Hakkoda) were studied with special reference to their pedogenetic processes.

The Brown Forest soils in the Kinki District were characterized by the translocation of free Al, formation of Al and/or Fe-humus complexes throughout the profile, and the predominance of 2:1: 1-2:1 intergrade minerals in the subsurface horizons, whereas those in the Tohoku District were characterized by the formation of allophane and no remarkable translocation of free Al oxides. This difference in the pedogenetic processes under the same vegetation was reflected on the amounts of Al released from primary minerals in relation to the amounts of organic matter accumulated. Major distinctive characteristics included the values of the Alp/Alo, the Fep/Feo, the Alo/Ald ratios, the Sio content, and the STPT-ZPC and pH(H₂O) values.

Among these the values of the Alo/Ald ratio and/or the Sio content were found to be suitable indices for the differentiation of Brown Forest soils from Andisols in Japan In addition to the criteria used to define andic soil properties.     

Zur pedochemie des berylliums — untersuchungen einer bodengesellschaft im gebiet des bärhaldegranits (südschwarzwald)

The profile distribution of Be is given for a toposequence of podzols, brown earths, stagnogley, forest bog and “Ockererde” (slope gley with infiltrated Al, Mn and Fe). Analysed were the parent rock, fine earth, four fractions of mineral soil (fine skeleton, sand, silt, clay) and the needles of spruce trees.Beryllium is involved in selective weathering processes of elements. Accordingly, the Be-content increases from the fine skeleton to sand, rock, silt and clay, progressively. Through pedogenetic enrichment, Be accumulates in the mica-rich silt fraction.Uptake of Be by spruce is very low even from these acid soils. The accumulation in the needles becomes greater with increasing age.The pedochemical behaviour of Be is very similar to that of Al.Be is incorporated very little in the organic matter cycle, and is therefore not enriched in the soil humus.The brown earth has lost Be, especially in the A_h-horizon.In the A_e-horizon of the podzol, loss of Be is even greater; the loss is partly offset by Be-enrichment in the B-horizon.In the profiles of depressions, the Be-content is high and is ascribed to lateral flow from the slopes. Be-enrichment is especially high in horizons with a pH of about 5.The Be-balance of the watershed indicates an export of about 10% of the original amount.     

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.     

Mineralogic evolution in hydromorphic sandy soils and podzols in “landes du médoc”, France

Soils of the nearly level “Landes du Médoc” in southwestern France have a pattern of alternating bodies of hydromorphic podzols (Haplaquods) and low humic hydromorphic soils (Psammaquents). The soils are formed in a sedimentary mantle of coarse, quartzose sands with a slight microrelief consisting of low, elongated ridges and shallow, intervening troughs. The water table is at shallow depths throughout the plain, even at the surface in places. The podzols on the crests of the low ridges have distinct A₂ and cemented B₂ h horizons. Podzols persist down the sides of ridges but going downslope first lose the A₂ horizon and then the cementation of the Bh horizon. Soils in the shallow troughs have A₁ and Cg horizons without B horizons.The fine silt (2–20 μm) and clay (0–2 μm) fractions of the parent sand contain primary trioctahedral chlorite, mica, feldspars, and quartz, with the last mineral predominant. During soil development, the first three minerals undergo weathering at different rates and to different extents. Chlorite is most strongly weathered, followed in order by plagioclases and K-minerals. In the fine silt fraction, weathering seems to occur mostly by fragmentation of particles. In the clay fraction, the phyllosilicates successively form irregularly interstratified minerals with contractible but not expandable vermiculitic layers, interstratified minerals with contractible and expandable smectitic layers, and finally smectites.The extent to which the silicate minerals are weathered becomes progressively greater from the low humic hydromorphic soils to the podzols with friable Bh horizons to the podzols with cemented Bh horizons. Smectite is present only in the A₂ horizons of these last podzols.The aluminum release by weathering of silicate minerals is translocated in part in the form of organo-metal complexes into the Bh horizons of the podzols. Greatest concentrations of Al are associated with coatings of monomorphic organic matter on mineral grains in the cemented Bh horizons, in which some Al has also crystallized into gibbsite. That mineral was not detected in friable B horizons of podzols nor in the low humic hydromorphic soil. Contrary to expectations, the mobile Al did not enter interlayer spaces of expanding 2:1 clay minerals.     

Short‐time clay‐mineral evolution in a soil chronosequence in Oléron Island (France)

Major weathering sequences in soils are well established; however, knowledge on rates of mineral transformations remains unknown, because it is often difficult to date precisely soil processes. This work was carried out on soils developed on recent (< 188 y) sand dunes on the W coast of Oléron Island (France). The coast has been protected against marine and wind erosion by constructing five consecutives barriers close to the coastline since 1820 (1820, 1864, 1876, 1889, 1948) defining the maximum age of the soil parent material, as before the areas between the barriers were under water. Soils on the older dunes have low clay content (> 94% of sand) and exhibit a bleached E horizon that overlies a yellowish brown B horizon. The process responsible for their formation is podzolization promoted by the high permeability of the material and complexing organic matter produced by coniferous vegetation. Initial mineralogy of C horizons is homogenous and constituted of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and kaolinite, quartz, calcite (≈ 8% related to shell fragments), and feldspars. The initial clay‐mineral assemblage of the E horizons is dominated by illite (well‐crystallized WCI and poorly crystallized PCI) and chlorite. With progressive podzolization, poorly crystallized illite is first transformed to illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals and in a further step into smectite. In addition, transformation of well‐crystallized illite leads to formation of ordered illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals in the E horizons, which is not commonly described in soils. In the B horizons, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals are present with traces of smectite, as well as Al and Fe oxi‐hydroxides as revealed by DCB and oxalate chemical extractions. This chronosequence illustrates that over short distances and short time (< 188 y) intense mineral weathering and soil development occur. Major clay‐mineral changes occur between 132 and 188 y in agreement with development of the pine forest producing acidic litter.     

Clay minerals in chernozem-like soils of mesodepressions in the northern forest-steppe of European Russia

In the northern forest-steppe of European Russia, under the conditions of surface waterlogging (freshwater) and a stagnant-percolative regime, gleyic podzolic chernozem-like soils with thick light-colored eluvial horizons are formed. These horizons are close or similar to the podzolic horizons of bog-podzolic soils in many properties of their solid phase. They are bleached in color and characterized by the removal of Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, and Mn and the relative accumulation of quartz SiO₂. These soils differ from leached chernozems in their acid reaction and very low CEC, the presence of Fe-Mn concretions and coatings, and the significant decrease in the clay content in the A2 horizon as compared to the parent rock. The soils studied differ significantly from loamy podzolic and bog-podzolic soils by the composition of the clay minerals in the A2 horizons: (1) no essential loss of smectite minerals from this horizon was found as compared to the rest of the solum, (2) pedogenic chlorites (HIV and HIS) are absent, and (3) the distinct accumulation of illites is observed as compared to the subsoil and parent material, probably, due to the process of illitization.     

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

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

Chemical significance of aluminium extracted from three horizons of an acid forest soil, using chloride salt solutions

Aluminium is usually important in exchange reactions in acid soil, but amounts extracted are strongly affected by procedure. We examined the impact of proton release, following salt addition, on Al removal from three horizons (Oe, Oa and A₁₂) of an acid, brown forest soil. The Al was first extracted with either 1 M KC1, 1 m NH₄C1 or 0.5 m CuCl₂ on the three horizons limed to pH 5.5. For any lime addition, both the pH drop following salt addition and the amounts of extracted Al were greater with CuCl₂ than with KC1 or NH₄C1. For the Oa and A₁₂ horizons there was a single inverse linear relation between amount of Al extracted and the pH of final extract, independent of the extracting cation. In the Oe horizon CuCl₂ extracted constant amounts of Al, whereas the quantity of Al removed by KC1 or NH₄C1 increased linearly as pH declined below pH 3.6. Extra Al was mobilized following unbuffered KC1 extraction, a side effect induced by the extracting procedure itself. Al mobilization increased with increasing H⁺ additions. In the Oe horizon, equilibrium was established rapidly (≤ 24 h), and decreasing the pH of the soil-KCl suspensions to 2.0 resulted in extracted Al amounts equal to or slightly greater than those obtained with CuCl₂ solutions. Al amounts extracted with acidified KC1 solutions from the A₁₂ were close to those obtained using CuCl₂ solutions at similar pH in the extract. In the samples from the A₁₂ layer, increasing the equilibration time resulted in increasing proton consumption and equivalent release of Al ions in the extract.     

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.