Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada
Abstract The micromorphology and submicroscopy of naturally‐formed surface crusts in several soils from the Peace River region, alberta were studied in order to understand the types and mechanisms of crust formation. Although the soils studied contained stable aggregates in the dry state, these aggr...
Published in: | Soil Science Society of America Journal |
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crwiley:10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x 2024-09-15T18:29:11+00:00 Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada Arshad, M. A. Mermut, A. R. 1988 http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.2136%2Fsssaj1988.03615995005200030024x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x/fullpdf en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor Soil Science Society of America Journal volume 52, issue 3, page 724-729 ISSN 0361-5995 1435-0661 journal-article 1988 crwiley https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x 2024-07-09T04:12:20Z Abstract The micromorphology and submicroscopy of naturally‐formed surface crusts in several soils from the Peace River region, alberta were studied in order to understand the types and mechanisms of crust formation. Although the soils studied contained stable aggregates in the dry state, these aggregates almost completely broke down when wet, leading to the crusting tendency of the soils. Other soil characteristics that likely induced the structural deterioration were high silt contents, exchangeable Na and Mg, and low organic matter contents. Three morphological types of surface crusts were identified, including (i) lamellar, (ii) sedimentational, and (iii) disruptional. Lamellar crusts were typical of soils high in clay and exchangeable Na and Mg. Sedimentational crusts were found in areas which were subject to large amounts of surface runoff and subsequent sedimentation of suspended materials. Disruptional crusts were formed by direct raindrop detachment of soil aggregates, subsequent disruption of aggregates, and a reduction of volume within the crust. Disruptional crust was the most common crust formed in the silty soils of the Peace River region. One characteristic, very common to all crust types, was the presence of 2 to 5 µm thick layers within the immediate surface that caused the complete sealing of the soil surface. The moisture content of the immediate surface layer determines the strength of the crust. Hence, water management and mulching is crucial for crust prone soils. Article in Journal/Newspaper Peace River Wiley Online Library Soil Science Society of America Journal 52 3 724 729 |
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Wiley Online Library |
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English |
description |
Abstract The micromorphology and submicroscopy of naturally‐formed surface crusts in several soils from the Peace River region, alberta were studied in order to understand the types and mechanisms of crust formation. Although the soils studied contained stable aggregates in the dry state, these aggregates almost completely broke down when wet, leading to the crusting tendency of the soils. Other soil characteristics that likely induced the structural deterioration were high silt contents, exchangeable Na and Mg, and low organic matter contents. Three morphological types of surface crusts were identified, including (i) lamellar, (ii) sedimentational, and (iii) disruptional. Lamellar crusts were typical of soils high in clay and exchangeable Na and Mg. Sedimentational crusts were found in areas which were subject to large amounts of surface runoff and subsequent sedimentation of suspended materials. Disruptional crusts were formed by direct raindrop detachment of soil aggregates, subsequent disruption of aggregates, and a reduction of volume within the crust. Disruptional crust was the most common crust formed in the silty soils of the Peace River region. One characteristic, very common to all crust types, was the presence of 2 to 5 µm thick layers within the immediate surface that caused the complete sealing of the soil surface. The moisture content of the immediate surface layer determines the strength of the crust. Hence, water management and mulching is crucial for crust prone soils. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Arshad, M. A. Mermut, A. R. |
spellingShingle |
Arshad, M. A. Mermut, A. R. Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
author_facet |
Arshad, M. A. Mermut, A. R. |
author_sort |
Arshad, M. A. |
title |
Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
title_short |
Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
title_full |
Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
title_fullStr |
Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
title_full_unstemmed |
Micromorphological and Physico‐chemical Characteristics of Soil Crust Types in Northwestern Alberta, Canada |
title_sort |
micromorphological and physico‐chemical characteristics of soil crust types in northwestern alberta, canada |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
1988 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.2136%2Fsssaj1988.03615995005200030024x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x/fullpdf |
genre |
Peace River |
genre_facet |
Peace River |
op_source |
Soil Science Society of America Journal volume 52, issue 3, page 724-729 ISSN 0361-5995 1435-0661 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200030024x |
container_title |
Soil Science Society of America Journal |
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52 |
container_issue |
3 |
container_start_page |
724 |
op_container_end_page |
729 |
_version_ |
1810470592557613056 |