INVESTIGATION OF SOME SOILS DEVELOPED IN HUMMOCKS OF THE CANADIAN SUB-ARCTIC AND SOUTHERN-ARCTIC REGIONS. 2. ANALYTICAL CHARACTERISTICS, GENESIS AND CLASSIFICATION

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Authors: PAWLUK, S., BREWER, R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1975
• Subjects: Soil Science; Arctic; Sola; permafrost; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss75-040; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss75-040

Soils formed in mineral hummocks of the Forest–Tundra region have analytical characteristics reflecting "podzolic" processes. These soils have upper sola that are moderately to strongly acidic, with low pH values and base saturation; have high contents of organically complexed iron and aluminum; and show "chloritization" of montmorillonite, potassium removal from mica and moderate weathering of feldspars. Soils from the Southern-Arctic region have similar acidic characteristics but lack evidence for chemical and mineralogical weathering. Podzolic processes appear much weaker than in the Forest–Tundra region. However, soils from both regions are similar in morphological and micromorphological characteristics. A moderately high level of organic matter is present in the upper sola and at the permafrost interface. The soils are characterized by structures more closely reflecting freeze–thaw processes and faunal activity than podzolic alteration.