CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Fishback, L.A.; and King, R.H.
Date : 2001.
Title : Soil development processes in the High Arctic : Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, Nunavut.
Publication : The Canadian Association of Geographers/l'association Canadienne des Géographes. 2001 Annual Meeting. 50th Anniversary of the CAG Jointly Organised by McGill University, Concordia University and Université de Montréal Tuesday May 29 – Sunday June 3, 2001
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The effects of environmental state factors on soil development and variability is examined in a soil catena formed on a high arctic raised beach. The catena comprises coarse-textured, organically-poor Regosolic Static Cryosols on the beach ridge crest; Brunisolic Static Cryosols on the upper foreslope; Brunisolic Turbic Cryosols associated with hummocky topography on the lower foreslope and saturated Gleysolic Turbic Cryosols at the foot of the foreslope. Duplicate soil samples were collected from thirteen representative horizons and twenty physical and chemical soil properties determined. Decarbonation of the calcareous parent material results in carbonate pendants on stones in the desert pavement on the beach ridge crest and in the lower horizons of the brunisolic soils. Translocated silt forms cutans on the stones in the regosolic and brunisolic soils. Organic matter increases downslope in the surface horizons. Higher C:N and humic to fulvic acid ratios in the brunisolic B horizons indicate the translocation of organic decomposition products. Incipient podzolization in the B horizons of the Brunisolic Turbic Cryosols is revealed by the presence of pyrophosphate-extractable iron and aluminum. Overall, the catena is a dynamic response to a complex interplay of pedogenic and geomorphic processes controlled by micro-variations in climate, topography, plant associations and parent materials.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology