Distribution and genesis of Fahlerden (Albeluvisols) in Germany

Abstract

Fahlerden dominate large areas of the young and old moraine landscapes of N and E Germany. Fahlerden (part of Fahlerden corresponds to Albeluvisols) and their transitional subtypes are supposed to have a higher intensity of clay illuviation than Parabraunerden (Luvisols). Besides this macroscopic feature reflecting periglacial influence, micromorphological features such as lenticular platy microstructure, vesicles, and fragments of clay coatings in Bt streaks document the initiation of Fahlerde genesis, which began in the Late Glacial. A model of Fahlerde genesis chronologically connects sedimentological and periglacial processes, vegetation development, and soil‐forming processes like decalcification, clay illuviation, and humification. The classification criterion of larger differences in clay contents between E and Bt horizons to distinguish Fahlerden from Parabraunerden needs to be reconsidered, because most Fahlerden have developed in stratified parent material in periglacially influenced landscapes. The interpretation of a soil data base listing data of both soil types distributed in Brandenburg demonstrates that the difference in clay contents between E and Bt horizons may even be smaller in Fahlerden than in Parabraunerden.

Palaeopedological marker horizons in northern central Europe: characteristics of Lateglacial Usselo and Finow soils

“…In a few cases, local catenas were established, showing the relatively high position of Usselo and Finow soils, followed downward by partly and fully groundwater influenced palaeosols (Hilgers et al 2001; Jankowski 2002; Kaiser et al 2006). Taking overviews on Lateglacial and early Holocene palaeosols recorded in northern central Europe into account (Manikowska 2002; Kühn 2003b; Kaiser et al 2006; Kühn et al 2006), a wide range of soil types (e.g. Albic and Brunic Arenosols, Albe‐Luvisols, ‘Dwarf’‐Podzols, Gleysols, Fluvisols, Histosols) and parent materials (e.g.…”

Soil genesis, morphodynamic processes and chronological implications in two soil transects of SE Sardinia, Italy: Traditional pedological study coupled with laser ablation ICP-MS and radionuclide analyses

“…Although illuviation of coarse particles occurs under various conditions and its interpretation is often controversial, this process could derive from freeze-thaw cycles during the intervening glacial periods, able to promote soil disaggregation and melt-water percolation through seasonally frozen surface layers into subsoil horizons. Even the observed degeneration of clay coatings (Catt, 1989;Kemp, 1998), vesicular pores (FitzPatrick, 1997Kühn et al, 2006) and some hydromorphic features (Fedoroff, 1997;Scarciglia et al, 2006) could form in environments characterized by seasonal soil freezing. These conditions are widely supported by recent high-resolution multiproxy paleoclimatic data during the coldest phases of Quaternary glacial periods, even in coastal areas of southern Italy, as highlighted by Scarciglia et al (2006) (and references therein).…”

Luvisols or Cambisols? Micromorphological study of soil truncation in young morainic landscapes — Case study: Brodnica and Chełmno Lake Districts (North Poland)

“…The high base saturation (N 50%) in the major part of profiles between 50 and 100 cm and high values of CEC-clay within Bt horizons (Table 2) entitles them to be classified as Luvisols (IUSS Working Group-FAO, 2006). The presence of significant areas of lessive soils in young morainic landscapes has already been described in numerous publications (Dąbkowska-Naskręt and Jaworska, 1994a,b;Frielinghaus and Vahrson, 1998;Kühn, 2003;Kühn et al, 2006;Marcinek and Komisarek, 2004;Świtoniak, 2006. Litho-climatic conditions of the investigated region are appropriate for lessivage process.…”