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LONG‐TERM CHANGES IN SOIL MACRO‐ AND MICROMORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEAT DEBRIS
Author(s) -
COLLINS J. F.,
COYLE E.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1980.tb02103.x
Subject(s) - peat , topsoil , humus , debris , environmental science , soil science , geology , soil water , ecology , oceanography , biology
Summary Field morphological examination and thin section observations were made to document the effects of varying additions of acid peat debris to a mineral topsoil after a period of 25–30 years. Additions up to 3 cm improved soil physical properties and faunal activity relative to the unamended topsoil. Additions of 5–8 cm caused acidification, structural alteration and iron mobilization. Further additions, ranging up to 30 cm, caused progressive increase in acidification, reduction, structural collapse, faunal inactivity, etc. The formation of thick humus coatings (organans) and diffuse subsurface impregnations in the mineral soil is highlighted.