Patterns of soil cover organization within the northern part of the Kondinskaya lowland (Western Siberia)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the studies devoted to the morphological features and properties of soils representing different geomorphological conditions within the elevated relief forms of the Kondinskaya lowland, with the example of the Kondinskie Lakes Natural Park area. The northern part of the Kondinskaya lowland is characterized by a contrasting and diverse relief, which is generally not typical of the middle taiga zone of Western Siberia. Soil-morphological and-geomorphological methods formed the structural framework of this research. The results showed that Folic Albic Podzols (Geoabruptic) formed on the flat tops of ridges are characterized by a moderate thickness of the E horizon, the largest number of rock fragments, as well as by bedding with loams that have signs of paleocryogenic deformations. Albic Podzols of terraced slopes have more developed E and Bs horizons with large wedge like tongues having depth of about one meter. This group of soils is distinguished by the most diverse structure of the upper part of the profile due to the variability of morphological elements related to biogenic pedoturbations. Albic Lamellic Arenosols occupying steep slopes of the ridges are less developed, and erosional processes often interrupt soil development within this geomorphic position. Albic Gleyic Podzols (Turbic) formed under the steep slopes of high ridges develop over buried Podzols, and often contain charcoal-enriched interlayers in the bottom and middle parts of the profile. Formation of a complex profile, with series of burials, is possibly associated with the activation of erosional processes related to fires and ancient human activity. Study results showed that there is a strong relationship between the lithology on the one hand, and the intensity of podzolization and variability of soil morphological elements related to biogenic pedoturbations on the other hand. The paper contains 5 Figures, 1 Table and 51 References.