Holocene soils and soil-geomorphic relations in a semiarid region of southern New Mexico

Holocene soils of a semiarid area in southern New Mexico occur on terraces and fans in and adjacent to the mountains. The illustrative soils have formed in alluvium derived from rhyolite, monzonite, and sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone.A large arid basin occurs downslope from the mountains. In the arid-semiarid transition, the effect of a gradual increase in precipitation on soil morphology is shown by Holocene soils that sensitively reflect the precipitation. Where the parent materials contain little or no carbonate, a surficial noncalcareous zone and a reddish-brown horizon of silicate clay accumulation thicken mountainward as precipitation increases. The Bt horizon is underlain by the carbonate horizon, the upper boundary of which deepens mountainward. These orographic-depth relations and soil morphology support an interpretation that some of the clay (as well as the carbonate) is of illuvial origin. In high-carbonate parent materials, a noncalcareous zone has not developed and a reddish-brown horizon of clay accumulation has not formed.In upper horizons, organic carbon increases and color darkens towards the mountains. This causes a change in soils at the categorical level of soil order; Mollisols do not occur in the arid basin downslope, where nearly all Holocene soils are either Aridisols or Entisols. In the semiarid zone, however, most Holocene soils are Mollisols. Thick, dark A horizons have formed in many of these soils. The thickness of these horizons is attributed primarily to episodes of sedimentation during soil development. Some Holocene Aridisols also occur in the semiarid zone. Generally these are on narrow ridges, where the mollic epipedon has been truncated or did not form.In some terrains the soil-geomorphic relations are complex and Holocene soils may be above or at the same elevation as adjacent, much older soils. In such situations, when the morphological range of the various soils has been determined, soil morphology may be used to distinguish the Holocene soils and surfaces from their older analogs.     

Genesis of pedons with discontinuous argillic horizons in the Holocene loess mantle of the southern Pampean landscape,Argentina

Soil development in the plain landscape of the southern Argentinean Pampa is related to pulses of aeolian accretion of calcareous loess during the Holocene epoch. Such plain relief is associated with landform stability that favors pedogenesis. In some sectors of the Holocene loess mantle, detailed soil surveys show a great variability of soil morphology in short distances (<7 m), such that pedons with Bt horizon (Ap-Bt-C-2Ckm) coexist with pedons with an AC horizon (Ap-AC-C-2Ckm) in a plain landscape, within identical loess parent material over a tosca layer (2Ckm-calcrete-petrocalcic horizon), and in a similar pedoclimate. This article studies the origin of this spatial variation. Loess parent materials directly overlie the relic tosca layer, exhumed after erosion of preexisting soils of the Late Pleistocene. The contrast in soil morphology between the petrocalcic horizon and the overlying Holocene soils reflects the effect of polygenesis. The complex soil spatial distribution pattern over the tosca layer appears unrelated to its paleomicrotopography, because soils with Bt horizons are identified in positive and depressed microlandforms of the tosca. The absence of Bt horizons might be caused by formerly intense biological activity related to a stable pattern of two natural vegetation covers or a surface paleomicrotopography that supported distinct vegetation types depending on the soil moisture in each paleomicrolandform.     

Holocene soils and soil-geomorphic relations in an arid region of southern New Mexico

A study area in an arid region of southern New Mexico is in basin-and-range topography and includes both a river valley and a closed basin. Holocene soils occur in valley fills and low terraces between Pleistocene fans, in and near drainageways on the fan-piedmont, on ridges, and in dunes. Holocene soils suggest the character of initial development in soils that are much older and more complex, and record the beginnings of various soil horizons. Noncalcareous brown or reddish brown B horizons have formed in low-carbonate parent materials of stable sites. Incipient development of the argillic horizon and the Haplargids occurs at stable sites in very gravelly materials that are about 1–2000 yr old. The cambic horizon and Camborthids occur in adjacent low-gravel materials of the same age. The argillic horizon occurs continuously in soils of earliest Holocene, particularly in very gravelly materials. Where soils have been truncated, as in areas affected by landscape dissection, argillic and cambic horizons are usually absent and the soils are Torripsamments, Torriorthents, or Torrifluvents depending on content of sand, gravel, and organic carbon. In high-carbonate parent materials, noncalcareous, reddish brown B horizons have not formed at any time in the Holocene. Most of these soils are Torriorthents or Torrifluvents although an incipient calcic horizon has formed in some of the oldest Holocene soils; the latter are Calciorthids. Horizons of carbonate accumulation are the best and most common pedogenic indicators of soil age. Stage I carbonate horizons are a major feature of pedogenesis in the Holocene. Because of additions of carbonate from the atmosphere, carbonate horizons are morphologically similar whether they have formed in high or low-carbonate alluvium. The carbonate accumulations are illuvial.Some Holocene deposits apparently resulted from changes in climate. Others, such as the youthful deposits of coppice dunes, apparently were caused by man's introduction of cattle and subsequent overgrazing and seed dispersal.     

Single element and competitive sorption of copper, zinc and lead onto a Luvisol profile

The sorption parameters of Cu, Zn and Pb are related to the composition of the different genetic horizons of a Luvisol profile in batch sorption experiments. The affinities of metals towards the soil samples from different horizons followed the same sequence, e.g. Pb≥C>>Zn. By far the highest metal retention was found in the C_k horizon due to the alkaline conditions. It is followed by the A horizon with its high organic matter content, while the lowest sorption capacity was found in the Bt horizon. In the horizons free of carbonate, primarily Pb and Cu were immobilized. The studied soil can be characterized by high amount of organic matter, clay accumulation horizon, as well as calcareous subsoil. This kind of profile development makes soils able to immobilize a significant metal pollution.     

Organic carbon distribution, speciation, and elemental correlations within soil microaggregates: Applications of STXM and NEXAFS spectroscopy

Soils contain the largest inventory of organic carbon on the Earth’s surface. Therefore, it is important to understand how soil organic carbon (SOC) is distributed in soils. This study directly measured SOC distributions within soil microaggregates and its associations with major soil elements from three soil groups (Phaeozem, Cambisol, and Ultisol), using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy at a spatial resolution of 30 nm. Unlike previous studies, small intact soil microaggregates were examined directly in order to avoid preparatory procedures that might alter C speciation. We found that SOC exists as distinct particles (10s to 100s of nm) and as ubiquitous thin coatings on clay minerals and iron-oxides coatings. The distinct SOC particles have higher fractions of aromatic C than the coatings. NEXAFS spectra of the C coatings within individual microaggregates were relatively similar. In the Phaeozem soil, the pervasive spectral features were those of phenolic and carboxylic C, while in the Cambisol soil the most common spectral feature was the carboxyl peak. The Ultisol soil displayed a diffuse distribution of aromatic, phenolic, and carboxylic C peaks over all surfaces. In general, a wide range of C functional groups coexist within individual microaggregates. In this work we were able to, for the first time, directly quantify the major mineral elemental (Si, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Ti) compositions simultaneously with C distribution and speciation at the nm to μm scale. These direct microscale measurements will help improve understanding on SOC-mineral associations in soil environments.     

云南保山师专滑坡成因及防治

云南保山师专2001年7月发生中型滑坡，上千名师生的安全受到严重威胁。斜坡变形量逐渐加剧，1个月后总位移量近60cm，且前缘平台出现鼓丘，隆起高度1．20m。经采用袋装土反压前缘应急措施后，滑坡暂时得以控制。勘察发现滑坡的形成在于不合理的开挖边坡，其上软弱土体夹层经近期地震作用，经受超常强降雨持续渗入坡体，使之重度增加，强度降低，以及坡体上建筑物之荷载，增加了下滑力。滑坡防治采用抗滑桩加重力式抗滑挡墙，辅以地表、地下排水工程等综合治理方案。2002年9月治理工程全部完工，经监测证实治理效果良好。     

The soils on the calcareous sand dunes southeast of South Australia

 The properties of soils on previously dated sand dunes from Robe to Naracoorte in South Australia were examined. In these areas younger sand dunes are composed of fresh sand, but older sand dunes are composed of calcarenited sand. The soils on the sand dunes developed successionally by the age of sand dunes. The soil properties of these sand dunes differ depending on the ages of the sand dunes. The properties of sand particles in soils are as follows: (1) On the sand dunes of 4300 years B.P., A/C profile developed (Rendzina). On the sand dunes older than 125 000 years B.P. and on the plateau of Tertiary limestone, soil profiles of A₁/AB/B/C on the sand dunes of 83 000 years B.P. and A₁/A₃/B₁/B₂/C (Terra rossa) are well developed. (2) Within the sand of A/C horizons of the sand dunes with the age of 4300 year B.P., the calcite grain content is about 64%, and the quartz content is about 35%. Within the B horizons of soils on the dunes from 83 000 years B.P. to 347 000 years B.P., the calcite grain content is only 1–2%; however, the quartz grain content is about 92%. In the B₂ horizons of soils on the dune of 690 000 years B.P. and on the Tertiary plateau, there are some calcite grains but the quartz grain content is about 96%. (3) The average size of quartz grains in the soils on the sand dunes from 4300 B.P. to 347 000 years B.P. is generally smaller, but the average size of quartz on the sand dunes of 690 000 year B.P. becomes larger and the grains are well rounded. On the Tertiary limestone plateau, the average quartz size becomes again smaller, and the grains are more rounded. (4) Fe_t in B₂ horizon of the soil profiles increases clearly corresponding to the age. Iron activity expressed by Fe_o/Fe_d also shows a close relation to the chronological sequence. The B horizon of the soil profiles shows a drastic decrease of Fe_o/Fe_d according to the age. Iron crystalinity, (Fe_d-Fe_o)/Fe_t, has a tendency for a positive relation with increasing age. Received: 1 June 1995 · Accepted: 4 December 1995     

Bioavailability of arsenic in the soil horizon: a laboratory column study

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic (As), when extensively used for irrigation, causes potentially long-term detrimental effects to surface soils. Such contamination can also directly affect human health when irrigated crops, such as rice, vegetable and fruits, are used for human consumption. Therefore, an understanding of the leaching behavior of As in surface soils is of high importance, because such behavior may increase the bioavailability of As in the soil horizon. In this study, we have investigated the role of phosphate ions in leaching and bioavailability of As in the soil horizon, where drinking groundwater contains elevated levels of As (≥50 μg/L). Soil and groundwater samples were characterized in the laboratory and measured for physical and chemical constituents. The soils are generally neutral to slightly alkaline in character (pH range 7.5–8.1) with low to moderate levels of free Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, CaCO₃, organic carbon, and clay content. The measured electrical conductivity (mean 599 μS/cm) of the soils demonstrates their non-saline nature. The Eh values (range −37 to −151 mV) of the groundwater indicate anoxic condition with low to moderate levels of bicarbonate (range 100–630 mg/L) and phosphate (range 0.002–4.0 mg/L). The arsenic content (range 50–690 μg/L; mean 321 μg/L) in groundwater has exceeded both WHO recommended guideline values (10 μg/L) and the National safe drinking water limit (50 μg/L). Regression analyses demonstrate that the bioavailability of As in the soil horizon is mainly controlled by the composition of free Fe₂O₃ and CaCO₃ content of the soils. However, application of P could increase bioavailability of As in the soil horizon and become available to plants for uptake.     

高寒湖沼区土壤中成矿元素迁移的分形伸展机制

土壤中元素迁移是一种开放体系、远离平衡、多种作用耦合的复杂过程,文章用分形方法研究了元素迁移的复杂性特征.选择高寒湖沼景观3个微景观作为试验区,分别是山间沼泽、山地沼泽、湖泊沼泽,系统采集了土壤剖面样品和土壤粒级大样,分析了元素全量和相态.研究了土壤中元素全量和相态分布特征;用元素含量-频数分形方法计算了土壤层元素全量的分维,也计算了土壤粒级元素的相态分维;研究了元素迁移过程元素含量和分维的演化特征.研究表明,高寒湖沼景观土壤中元素地球化学迁移机理是机械分散和化学溶蚀作用,迁移机制具有分形伸展规律.     

Comparison of interpretations of geochemical soil data by some multivariate statistical methods, Key Anacon, N.B., Canada

The nature of the information - and its usefulness - that can be obtained from some of the more common multivariate statistical techniques is illustrated by their application to H and B horizon soils analyzed for 16 variables from the vicinity of the Key Anacon massive sulphide deposit (New Brunswick, Canada) where the geochemical response is erratic and the contrasts low. The theoretical bases of the statistical techniques are given in an appendix.Stepwise linear discriminant functions are employed as a classifying technique on H horizon soils to identify a regional anomaly, and on B horizon soils to derive discriminant scores to define the location of the sulphide zone. R-mode nonlinear mapping (RNLM) indicates that the variables Hg, Cl⁻, and conductance are closely correlated with the organic carbon content; variations in the latter are clearly related to variations in the secondary environment.Q-mode NLM using Pb, Zn, Co, and Ni as variables (identified as good discriminators by stepwise linear discriminant function) identify “outlying” anomalous samples related to the mineralized zones. A principal component biplot (using the same variables employed in the Q-mode NLM) indicates essentially the same samples as being anomalous as the Q-mode NLM. The biplot technique has the added advantage of also indicating which variable(s) is responsible for any particular sample being identified as anomalous.The practical result of the investigation is that the zone of sulphide mineralization defined by drilling and from underground data is confidently identified and defined. A number of geophysical magnetic anomalies over the same stratigraphic horizon has a relatively weak or no geochemical response, although a few locations are defined as second priority targets for follow-up work.     

Oxygen isotopic variations in soil quartz developed on rhyolite residuum from Kiso,central Japan

Positive identification of the origin of fine-grained quartz in highly weathered soils is not proven by routine microscopic examination. The oxygen isotope composition (δ¹⁸O vs _SMOW) of quartz was determined in the albic horizon of three soils developed on the Cretaceous Nohhi rhyolite from Kiso, central Japan. Differences in the isotopic composition of quartz as a function of particle size were observed and attributed to the degree of hydrothermal alteration. One soil sample developed nearby hornblende porphyrite intrusion showed systematic increases in the δ¹⁸O values with increasing particle size, from +3.6‰ (1–10 μm) to +9.5‰ (500–2000 μm). Such a trend is indicative of the higher contribution of secondary quartz precipitated from hydrothermal meteoric fluids in fine size fractions in contrast to primary magmatic quartz in coarse size fractions. Hydrothermal activity was inferred for another soil where no lateral intrusion is mapped. The variation in the oxygen isotopic composition of quartz in different particle sizes precludes both eolian and authigenic origins for the soils. The stable isotope technology provides the only rationale for positive identification of the origin of fine-grained quartz in soils.     

Relationship between pedogenetic manifestations in some arid soil and age of the landforms

Arid soils with slight variations in parent material, vegetation and climate were studied for their morphological, chemical and mineralogical characteristics. Results show that the soils are at different stages of profile development. Varying degrees of pedogenic features have been tied up with data on palaeoenvironment to develop a relationship between the soil and age of the landform. Studies reveal that Dune and Shergarh sandy soils with least degree of manifestation belong to early Holocene to latest Pleistocene, whereas Chirai sandy soil with weakly developed B horizon belongs to the upper Holocene. Soils (Khajwana and Gajsinghpura) with well-developed B horizon and a calcic layer with lime segregations belong to mid-Pleistocene whereas Pali and Pipar soils with illuvial clay in B horizon belong to early Pleistocene.     

Distribution d'un élément trace (Cr) dans un sol développé sur roches métamorphiques : variabilité à l'échelle d'un versantDistribution of chromium in soils developed into metamorphic rocks: variability at the hillslope scale

The influence of pedogenetic factors onto spatial variability of chromium in soil surface horizon was studied in a metamorphic area (Massif Central, France) at the hillside scale. A grid survey was performed. Surface soil horizons were sampled at each point and analysed in Cr. Results show the determinant influence of the rock type on Cr content distribution along the slope. However, surface horizons of these soils exhibit a lower Cr content heterogeneity than the deeper horizons. This was explained by soils' material erosion and deposition along the slope. Tillage and hedges also influence the Cr distribution in surface horizon along the slope. To cite this article: S. Salvador-Blanes et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 51–58     

Soil Paleocatenas,Prehistoric Land Use,and Coastal Landscape Dynamics at Druridge Bay,Northeast England

Coastal erosion of sand dune systems along Druridge Bay, northeast England, has progressively exposed parts of the subdune mid‐Holocene landscape, including paleocatenas, indicating former soil hydrosequences with localized wetland habitats, and archaeological evidence of human activities and land use from the Late Mesolithic to the Romano‐British period. Archaeological investigations and pedostratigraphic studies of paleosols provide a unique spatial–chronological framework to interpret soil and land use change over several millennia in the context of a changing coastal environment. Evidence includes dating of archaeological remains, the stratigraphy, morphology and micromorphology of buried soils and sediments, and the palynology and radiocarbon dating of subdune peats. Early Bronze Age burial sites were preferentially located on well‐drained hillocks also used for grazing. Adjacent wetland depressions provided areas of marshy grassland and swamp over deep fen peat soils that started to develop c. 5435 cal. yr B.P. in response to a rising groundwater table stimulated partly by slow sea‐level rise. The backslopes of the paleocatena were occupied by imperfectly to poorly drained soils that supported open oak‐hazel woodland with evidence for progressive clearance and use for agriculture. Windblown sand started to accumulate on the study site sometime between 3930 and 3670 cal. yr B.P., well before the Little Ice Age date for dune formation suggested by previous researchers.     

Comparing the activity of aluminum in two B horizons developed from volcanic ash deposits in Japan, dominated by short-range ordered aluminosilicates and crystalline clay minerals, respectively

Mechanisms controlling the activity of free aluminum (Al) in Bw1 horizons of soils developed from volcanic ash deposits in Japan were investigated by means of acid-base titrations and kinetic studies. In a Bw1 horizon, with a high content of acid-oxalate extractable Al, soil solution reached equilibrium with short-range ordered aluminosilicates in the order of days. Relatively fast kinetics of the release and precipitation of Al and Si indicate a high reactivity of short-range ordered aluminosilicates in the soil. In the Bw1 horizon of an adjacent soil, with a high content of crystalline clay minerals like halloysite and interlayered vermiculite, solution remained well undersaturated with respect to short-range ordered aluminosilicates and aluminum hydroxide. Apparent equilibrium with respect to halloysite occurred after more than 30 days. This halloysite ( (25 °C)) has a solubility that is less than that reported in the literature ( (25°C)). Our findings suggest that different reactive aluminosilicates may control the activity of free Al in sub-surface horizons of volcanic ash soils with different mineralogy.     

南海诸岛土壤的形成和年龄

本文在阐明南海珊瑚诸岛土壤的生物集聚过程、积盐和脱盐过程,以及有关的土壤诊断特性基础上,进一步介绍了那里的磷质石灰土和滨海盐土两大土壤类型,它们的空间分布及其与岛屿结构、地形、植被和鸟类活动之间的关系。最后,作者针对南海珊瑚岛土壤的特征,运用(１４)Ｃ方法探讨了它的年龄及其与土壤形成、发育之间的相互关系。     

Distribution and mode of occurrence of zinc and lead in glacial soils

The distribution and mode of occurrence of zinc and lead have been examined in glacial soils developed over a complex Precambrian marble-paragneiss terrain in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Based on distribution within the soil profiles, zinc is enriched in the B₁ horizon of soils sampled over marble and lead is generally enriched in the A horizon, particularly in soils developed over paragneiss. Contrast is calculated using

Full-size image (1K)

, where is the mean of n_A anomalous and n_B background samples, and S_p is the pooled standard deviation) for zinc, lead and cold-extractable heavy metals in soils sampled over marble and paragneiss. The t-values indicate that the B₁, soil horizon is the most suitable for sampling on a regular basis, even though lead is most concentrated in the A horizon.The distribution of zinc and lead among exchangeable, organic, iron-manganese oxide, clay, silt and sand fractions of B₁ horizons from two anomalous and one background soil indicates that both zinc and lead are tied up principally in iron and manganese oxides. The anomalous samples exhibit zinc enrichment in the Fe-oxide digestion and high Mn/Fe ratios for the Mn-oxide digestion (as well as the total analysis). In terms of total contribution to the sample, significant proportions of zinc in the clastic fraction can be attributed to zinc substitution into clays plus the ineffective removal of Fe-oxides by the ammonium oxalate extraction procedure. Lead, on the other hand, occurs in significant concentrations in clay, silt and sand as well as Fe- and Mn-oxides, probably as a trace constituent in feldspars or adsorbed onto clay surfaces.     

Nitrate vertical transport and simulation in soils of rocky desertification in Karst regions,Southwest China

The characteristics of nitrate vertical transport in soils collected from Libo and Puding in Guizhou Province were studied by simulating soil column in laboratory. The results were as follows: (1) Vertical transport velocity of nitrate decreased, and the breakthrough curves (BTCs) of nitrate were more dispersed, in each horizon from surface layer to bottom layer in every soil profile. As rocky desertification progressed, the BTCs experienced a gentle up and down trend, and tailing was more obvious. (2) An analytical solute transport model (CXTFIT 2.0) was used to estimate nitrate dispersion coefficient (D) and average pore water velocity (V) from the observed BTCs. The results showed that CXTFIT 2.0 model was suitable in fitting the nitrate transport in these soils. The dispersion coefficient was found to be a function of average pore water velocity. (3) The transport of nitrate was mainly affected by the soil structural coefficient. As soil structural coefficient decreased, nitrate outflow was retarded, and the peak concentration was reduced. Soil bulk density, organic matter, and clay also affected the vertical transport of nitrate. Low bulk density, clay content, and high organic matter content were each associated with faster nitrate transport.     

Effect of structure and texture on infiltration flow pattern during flood irrigation

Understanding the flow pattern of water and solute in subsurface soils is critically important in the fields of agricultural and environmental sciences. Dye tracer tests using a flood irrigation of Brilliant Blue FCF solution (5 g l^-1) and excavation method was performed to investigate the effect of texture and structure on the infiltration pattern at three different field soils developed from granite (GR), gneiss (GN) and limestone (LS). The GR soil showed a homogeneous matrix flow in the surface soil with weak, medium granular structure and a macropore flow along pegmatitic vein and plant root in C horizon. The surface horizon (A1) of GN soil with moderate, medium granular structure and many fine roots had matrix flow. The fingering occurred at the interfaces of sandy loam A horizon and loamy sand C horizon in GR soil and loam A1 horizon and sandy loam A2 horizon in GN soil. The LS soil with strong, coarse prismatic structure and the finest texture showed a macropore flow along cracks and had the deepest penetration of the dye tracer. The macropore (crack and vein), layer interface and plant root induced the preferential flow in the studied soils.     

Silica biogeochemical cycle in temperate ecosystems of the Pampean Plain,Argentina

Silicophytoliths were produced in the plant communities of the Pampean Plain during the Quaternary. The biogeochemistry of silicon is scarcely known in continental environments of Argentina. The aim of this work is to present a synthesis of: the plant production and the presence of silicophytoliths in soils with grasses, and its relationship with silica content in soil solution, soil matrix and groundwaters in temperate ecosystems of the Pampean Plain, Argentina. We quantified the content of silicophytoliths in representative grasses and soils of the area. Mineralochemical determinations of the soils' matrix were made. The concentration of silica was determined in soil solution and groundwaters. The silicophytoliths assemblages in plants let to differenciate subfamilies within Poaceae. In soils, silicophytoliths represent 40–5% of the total components, conforming a stock of 59–72 × 10³ kg/ha in A horizons. The concentration of SiO₂ in soil solution increases with depth (453–1243 μmol/L) in relation with plant communities, their nutritional requirements and root development. The average concentration of silica in groundwaters is 840 umol/L. In the studied soils, inorganic minerals and volcanic shards show no features of weathering. About 10–40% of silicophytoliths were taxonomically unidentified because of their weathering degrees. The matrix of the aggregates is made up by microaggregates composed of carbon and silicon. The weathering of silicophytoliths is a process that contributes to the formation of amorphous silica-rich matrix of the aggregates. So, silicophytoliths could play an important role in the silica cycle being a sink and source of Si in soils and enriching soil solutions and groundwaters.