Micromorphological Characteristic of Different-Aged Cryosols from the East Part of Lena River Delta, Siberia, Russia

• Published in: Geosciences
• Main Authors: Vyacheslav Polyakov, Evgeny Abakumov
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: soil fabric; permafrost-affected soils; alteration; cryosols; Arctic; Geology; QE1-996.5; lena river; permafrost; Siberia
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11030118; https://doaj.org/article/5d56394372d344708594491a41b9a1cb

Micromorphological investigation of soils is a powerful tool for studying the transformation of soils under the influence of various weathering mechanisms. In the Arctic region, under the influence of seasonal freezing/thawing processes, cryohydration is the leading type of weathering. Soils of different-aged islands of the Lena River Delta were investigated. Thin sections of soils were analyzed using a polarizing microscope Leica DM750P (Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, Germany). X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to determine the chemical composition of the soils. As a result of the work, the rate of weathering of soil minerals was estimated, soil fabric was considered, as well as the chemical composition of the soil. The accumulation of poorly sorted circular striated sand due to active influence of the Lena River was noted on young soil from Samoylov isl. The formation of biogenic sand-silt crumb aggregates was noted at more ancient sites. Physical weathering of soil minerals under the influence of cryogenic processes has been noted.