Gypsic pedofeatures and elementary pedogenetic processes of their formation

Elementary pedogenetic processes forming gypsic pedofeatures in gypsiferous soils are discussed. Several groups of such processes are distinguished: (1) weathering of gypsum-bearing rocks; (2) gypsum formation associated with weathering of sulfuric (pyritic) rocks; (3) precipitation of gypsum owing to the inflow of soil solutions saturated with Ca and SO₄ and their evaporative concentration; (4) gypsum formation owing to exchange reactions in soils between calcium in the exchange complex and sodium sulfate solutions; (5) gypsum formation upon interaction of calcium carbonates with sodium sulfate water resulting in the loss of CaCO₃ and gypsum accumulation (decalcification process); (6) colluvial and alluvial redeposition of gypsum in the landscape with its accumulation in the subordinate positions, where gypsiferous soils are formed; and (7) eolian deposition of gypsum on the soil surface with the formation of gypsum-bearing horizons. The micromorphological specificity of the gypsic pedofeatures reflects the processes of their destruction and/or accumulation in the soil profiles. It is shown that gypsum accumulation in soils is a pedogeochemical process that manifests itself in different natural zones upon the presence of gypsum sources.