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Pedology of an Arctic Brown Profile near Point Barrow, Alaska
Author(s) -
Drew J. V.,
Tedrow J. C. F.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1957.03615995002100030022x
Subject(s) - tundra , organic matter , authigenic , aeolian processes , weathering , arctic , horizon , geology , kaolinite , soil horizon , clay minerals , saturation (graph theory) , mineralogy , geochemistry , geomorphology , soil science , chemistry , oceanography , diagenesis , soil water , physics , organic chemistry , mathematics , astronomy , combinatorics
The Arctic brown profile forms on the medium and coarse textured material of well‐drained sites in the Alaskan Arctic Slope. The profile shows an accumulation of organic matter in the A 1 horizon, a weak translocation of Fe, Al, and Mn, and an accumulation of fines in the surface horizon, probably resulting from aeolian activity. Organic matter decreases from 11.48% in the A 1 horizon to less than 1% in the A 2 , A 3 , and C horizons, and the strongly developed profile colors are thought to be due primarily to this organic matter distribution. C/N ratios of the organic matter vary between 16:1 and 18:1. Base saturation is very low in the surface layer but increases with depth, and free carbonates are present in the lower horizons. Clay composition consists mainly of 2:1 layer silicates with small quantities of kaolinite. No authigenic weathering of primary minerals was detected. Fragmental data indicate that Arctic brown soil forming processes may operate in other tundra and alpine regions of the world.