Soils and Landscape Evolution in Periglacial Environment on the Barton Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica

• Published in: Geography Department University of Sao Paulo
• Main Authors: Lopes, Davi do Vale, Souza, José João Lelis Leal de, Oliveira, Fábio Soares de, Schaefer, Carlos Ernesto G. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas 2017
• Subjects: Oxidation; Sulfides; Pedogenesis; Concretions; Soil-Geomorphology; Oxidação; Sulfetos; Pedogênese; Concreções; Pedogeomorfologia; Antarctic; Barton; Barton Peninsula; King George Island; Solos’; Antarc*; Antarctica; Antártica
• Online Access: https://www.revistas.usp.br/rdg/article/view/132721

Antarctic soils are characterized by low development degree due to low liquid water content. Compared to mainland, Maritime Antactica has a mild climate. These milder conditions allow a much greater development of soils and more significant chemical weathering. The study area is Barton Peninsula, the second largest ice-free area of King George Island (Maritime Antarctica). The Barton Peninsula has soils derived from different lithologies, with basalt / andesite (with pyrite) standing out. This study aimed to evaluate the role of relief in the genesis of sulfated soils. Three pedons were selected, described, sampled, and classified according to Soil Taxonomy and WRB/FAO. Morphological, physical, mineralogical and chemical analysis were performed. The Barton soils present polygenic evolution. The rock shattering caused by freezing and thawing is present as a pedogenetic process. However, the evolution degree of the soils is substantially associated with the acidification by sulphide oxidation. This process promotes the release of elements, such as Fe, which are mobilized by the relief. Consequently, duricrusts (i.e. petroplintic horizons) are formed, characterizing a transformation of the pedological cover. The genesis of these soils shows that the peri-glacial landscape is dynamic and of deep interest in soil-geomorphological investigations. As baixas disponibilidade de água líquida e temperatura na Antártica condicionam a formação de solos incipientes. Condições climáticas menos severas na Antártica Marítima permitem o maior desenvolvimento de solos, com maior cobertura vegetal e intemperismo químico mais significativo. A Península Barton, localizada na Ilha Rei George (Antártica Marítima), possui solos derivados de litologias diversas, com destaque para o basalto/andesito piritizado, representando a área de maior extensão de materias sulfídicos na região. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o papel do relevo na gênese de solos sulfatados e sua relação com a evolução da paisagem. Os solos foram ...