We investigated the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and its environmental effects in subtropical regions of China. The investigation demonstrated that the weathering- pedogenesis of carbonate rocks is the pr...We investigated the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and its environmental effects in subtropical regions of China. The investigation demonstrated that the weathering- pedogenesis of carbonate rocks is the process of a joint action of corrosion and illuviation and metasomatism in subtropical region. It is characterized by multi-stage, multi-path and multi-style. With the persisting development of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks, metasomatic pedogenesis progressively became the main process of the weathering-pedogenesis and the dominant style of formation of minerals. And it proceeds through the whole process of evolution of the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks. The stage evolution of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and the fractionation evolution of newly produced minerals are characterized by obvious vertically zoning structures and the rules of gradation of elements geochemical characteristics in the carbonate rocks weathering profiles. The geochemical process of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks can be divided into three geochemical evolution stages, i.e., the Ca, Mg-depletion and Si, Al-enrichment stage; the Fe, Mn enrichment stage and the Si-depletion and Al-enrichment stage in the subtropical regions. Consistent with the three geochemical evolution stages, the sequence of formation and evolution of minerals can be divided into the clay mineral stage; the Fe, Mn oxide and the gibbsite stage. The influence of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks on the chemical forms of heavy elements is mainly affected via newly produced components and minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis, e.g., iron oxide minerals and organic matters. The important mechanism for the mobilization, transport and pollution of F and As is affected the selective adsorption and desorption of F and As on the surface of iron oxide minerals in the subtropical karst zones, i.e., the selective adsorption and desorption on mineral surfaces of newly produced minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis control the geochemical behavior of elements on the Earth＇s surface and environmental quality in subtropical regions.展开更多
Land cultivation and tillage process, and their consequent impacts on soil erosion, have been criticized as the main cause of degradation of land or soil quality. However, purple soils, classified as Regosols in FAO T...Land cultivation and tillage process, and their consequent impacts on soil erosion, have been criticized as the main cause of degradation of land or soil quality. However, purple soils, classified as Regosols in FAO Taxonomy or Entisols in USDA Taxonomy, are formed from purple rocks of the Trias- Cretaceous system, have been developed or at least accelerated the development due to continual tillage operation, especially digging and ridging. The present study took micromorphological investigation on the sedimentary rocks and the soils under different operations of tillage. Results show that the purple rock of Feixiangguan Formation of the Trias system （Tlf） is the easiest to physical weathering and the most fertile soil material enriched in nutrients, and it has been, therefore, mostly cultivated and intensively tilled around the year. It has the fastest soil formation rate. Soil formation rate in the cropland with conventional tillage is higher than that in the forestiand and the grassland. It implies that the artificial brokenness and tillage disturbance play a great role in physical weathering and initiating soil formation processes.展开更多
Optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） dating for polymlneral fine-grained loess samples, collected in Laoguantai （LGT） section on the south of the Chinese Loess Plateau, was made by application of single-aliquot...Optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） dating for polymlneral fine-grained loess samples, collected in Laoguantai （LGT） section on the south of the Chinese Loess Plateau, was made by application of single-aliquot regenerative-dose （SAR） protocol. A ＇Double-SAW procedure in which aliquots are subjected to both infrared （IR） and blue stimulations was used and two sets of equivalent dose （De） determinations were produced and assumed to relate predominantly to feldspathic and quartz fine grain populations respectively, The OSL ages estimated from IRSL signals are smaller than those estimated from [post-IR] OSL signals due to the anomalous fading of feldspar IR signals, based on fading experiment, The young ages of the samples near ground surface may be originated from the post-depositional disturbance by the intensifying humanity＇s cultivation since 3.0 ka BP in the Guanzhong Basin, south of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Based on OSL dating, as well as field observations and stratigraphic correlation, we determine the chronology of the LGT Ioess-paleosol sequence. In combination with climate proxy records, it is indicated that aeolian loess deposition and pedogenesis underwent polyphase changes during the Holocene, likely to have been driven by shifts in the East Asian monsoon. This suggests that aeolian loess deposition is episodic and highly variable, with contributions from non-aeolian processes such as alluvial deposition found in the area.展开更多
A detailed record of the Matuyama-Brunhes (M-B) transition has been obtained from the loess unit 8 (L8) at Duanjiapo (34.2° N, 109.2° E), Shannxi Province of China. An investigation of the rock magnetic prop...A detailed record of the Matuyama-Brunhes (M-B) transition has been obtained from the loess unit 8 (L8) at Duanjiapo (34.2° N, 109.2° E), Shannxi Province of China. An investigation of the rock magnetic properties using hysteresis loops, thermomagnetic analyses identifies pseudo-single domain magnetite as the main carrier of the rema-nence, with a small contribution from maghemite and hema-tite. The paleo-direction records obtained reveal: ( i ) The M-B transition was recorded in the middle and lower part of L8, and comprises of five fast reversals. (ii) The duration of the M-B polarity transition related to the directional change is about 4800 a. (iii) The virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) path during the transition is confined over Africa, peaked 90° away from the sampling site, in contrast with the results obtained from the Weinan loess section. The different VGPs are probably attributed to the pedogenesis.展开更多
Conceptual models are suitable for describing internal relationships of complex systems, including soil. We used conceptual models, the Jenny＇s and Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s models to understand the formation and...Conceptual models are suitable for describing internal relationships of complex systems, including soil. We used conceptual models, the Jenny＇s and Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s models to understand the formation and evolution of soil. We studied 20 pedons in granitic hilly lands, loessial piedmont, and piedmont plain in southern Mashhad, northeast Iran. These soils were characterized by high levels of gypsum, especially in the granitic saprolites, which suggested the importance of the wind in shaping the soil structure. Jenny＇s model is a developmental and equilibrium model, which only describes the state of the soil formation factors and considers that each bioclimatie zone has a specific climax soil. It focuses on the genesis of the surface soil and is not suitable for buried soils and paleosols. Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s model describes soil as a product of progressive and regressive processes due to horizonation or haploidization. Progressive processes during the last interglacial cycle created a well-developed paleosol with an argillic horizon in all landforms, except the piedmont plain. Developmental soil up-building by aeolian addition led to gypsum enrichment of the granitic saprolite. Erosion decreased soil thickness and exposed the argillic horizon. The Last Glacial Maximum led to greater deposition of loess, covering the paleosol. Humidity was higher during the early Holocene than today, leading to the development of a Bk horizon. This horizon was preserved in the stable surfaces of granitic hilly land and in the loessial piedmont, but buried on the piedmont plain via the deposition of alluvial sediments. Jenny＇s model could be used for current soil formation factors, whereas Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s model required morphological characteristics of pedons for interpretation.展开更多
The formation of Stagnic Anthrosols is closely related to rice planting and parent materials. Six representative pedons, two from each of three Stagnic Anthrosol subgroups, Vertic Haplic-, Vertic Gleyic-, and Sulfic G...The formation of Stagnic Anthrosols is closely related to rice planting and parent materials. Six representative pedons, two from each of three Stagnic Anthrosol subgroups, Vertic Haplic-, Vertic Gleyic-, and Sulfic Gleyic-Stagnic Anthrosols, from different parent materials and soil formation processes, from Liaoning Province, China, were selected and used along with additional supporting data to assess the potential impact in each soil subgroup combination of both pedogenic and anthropogenic factors on the migration and geochemical characteristics of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and their relations to soil particle-size composition. Results revealed that exchangeable Mg was correlated positively with clay and silt content, but negatively with sand content, suggesting that clay and silt could retain more exchangeable Mg than sand. Also, in the six pedons exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios generally decreased with depth, which was most likely due to the preferential retention of Mg below the Apl horizon and the effects of bio-cycling in rice-soil systems. The pedons with high pH had smaller exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios than those with low pH. Thus, it was concluded that exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios could be helpful in classification of Stagnic Anthrosols.展开更多
Knowledge of soil carbon（C） distribution and its relationship with the environment can improve our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and help to establish sound regional models of C cycling. However, such ...Knowledge of soil carbon（C） distribution and its relationship with the environment can improve our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and help to establish sound regional models of C cycling. However, such knowledge is limited in environments with complex landscape configurations. In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution and storage of soil organic carbon（SOC） and soil inorganic carbon（SIC） in the 10 representative landscapes（alpine meadow, subalpine shrub and meadow, mountain grassland, mountain forest, typical steppe, desert steppe, Hexi Corridor oases cropland, Ruoshui River delta desert, Alxa Gobi desert, and sandy desert） with contrasting bioclimatic regimes in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. We also measured the 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio in soil carbonate to understand the sources of SIC because the ratio can be used as a proxy in calculating the contribution of pedogenic inorganic carbon（PIC） to total SIC. Our results showed that SOC contents generally decreased with increasing soil depth in all landscapes, while SIC contents exhibited more complicated variations along soil profiles in relation to pedogenic processes and parent materials at the various landscapes. There were significant differences of C stocks in the top meter among different landscapes, with SOC storage ranging from 0.82 kg C/m^2 in sandy desert to 50.48 kg C/m^2 in mountain forest and SIC storage ranging from 0.19 kg C/m^2 in alpine meadow to 21.91 kg C/m^2 in desert steppe. SIC contributed more than 75% of total C pool when SOC storage was lower than 10 kg C/m^2, and the proportion of PIC to SIC was greater than 70% as calculated from Sr isotopic ratio, suggesting the critical role of PIC in the C budget of this region. The considerable variations of SOC and SIC in different landscapes were attributed to different pedogenic environments resulted from contrasting climatic regimes, parent materials and vegetation types. This study provides an evidence for a general trade-off pattern between SOC and SIC, showing the compensatory effects of environmental conditions（especially climate） on SOC and SIC formation in these landscapes. This is largely attributed to the fact that the overall decrease in temperature and increase in precipitation from arid deserts to alpine mountains simultaneously facilitate the accumulation of SOC and depletion of SIC.展开更多
The chemical leaching method is used for a systematic analysis of distribution characteristics of acid-soluble and acid-insoluble REE and other trace elements from the Luochuan loess deposits. The study shows that the...The chemical leaching method is used for a systematic analysis of distribution characteristics of acid-soluble and acid-insoluble REE and other trace elements from the Luochuan loess deposits. The study shows that the acid-insoluble phase in loess and palaeosol is a stable component of old aeolian dusts and is characteristic of the provenance; the acid-soluble phase is the unstable component in the weathering pedogenic process and reflects rock-forming features after accumulation of aeolian dusts. The acid-insoluble REE and acid-soluble Sr and Pb can be used as geochemical indicators respectively to trace the provenance characteristics and the weathering pedogenic process.展开更多
While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial s...While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial subsurface drainage on soil evolution. Artificial drainage is considered as an example of the impact of recent changes in water fluxes on soil evolution over time scales of decades to a century. Results from various classical studies on artificial drainage including hydrological and environmental studies are reviewed and collated with rare studies dealing explicitly with soil morphology changes, in response to artificial drainage. We deduce that soil should react to the perturbations associated with subsurface drainage over time scales that do not exceeding a few decades. Subsurface drainage decreases the intensity of erosion and must i) increase the intensity of the lixiviation and eluviation processes, ii) affect iron and manganese dynamics, and iii) induce heterogeneities in soil evolution at the ten meter scale. Such recent soil evolutions can no longer be neglected as they are mostly irreversible and will probably have unknown, but expectable, feedbacks on crucial soil functions such as the sequestration of soil organic matter or the water available capacity.展开更多
Kansu （KS） profile is located in the east of Yili basin, western Xinjiang, where typical loess sediments are distributed. The magnetic parameters （such as IRM, SIRM SOFT, and M） and grain size in the KS profile we...Kansu （KS） profile is located in the east of Yili basin, western Xinjiang, where typical loess sediments are distributed. The magnetic parameters （such as IRM, SIRM SOFT, and M） and grain size in the KS profile were analyzed in the study. The results showed that the magnetic property of KS loess is dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals, such as magnetite and maghemite. Antiferromagnetic and superparamagnetic minerals also exist in the profile, but had less impact on magnetic susceptibility. Compared with the typical loess sediments of the central Loess Plateau in China, the strata of Kansu profile contained more magnetic minerals and hard magnetic minerals. The analysis of grain size for magnetic minerals indicated that the properties of loess and paleosol were respectively dominated by PSD/MD and coarse SSD magnetite. The research found that the contents of magnetic minerals in loess and paleosol sequences in Kansu profile were similar, but the proportion of fine grained magnetite and soft magnetic minerals were varying, which implies a positive relationship between the value of magnetic susceptibility and intensity of pedogenesis.展开更多
Permeability and water-bearing space are important hydrological characteristics of the loess strata. In this study a systematic experiment was conducted to measure the magnetic susceptibility, grain size, porosity, an...Permeability and water-bearing space are important hydrological characteristics of the loess strata. In this study a systematic experiment was conducted to measure the magnetic susceptibility, grain size, porosity, and infiltration rate of the loess and palaeosol layers on a loess tableland of the central Chinese Loess Plateau, in order to investigate the differences in hydrological conditions between the loess and palaeosol layers. The magnetic susceptibility of the loess layer was lower than that of the palaeosol layer, but the average quasi-steady infiltration rate was about 0.31 mm min^(-1) higher, the coarse silt and very fine sand contents were about7.1% greater, and the porosity was about 5.7% higher. These differences were mainly due to pedogenesis, which was affected by the Quaternary climate. The pedogenesis differences between the loess and palaeosol layers resulted in hydrological property differences in terms of permeability and water-bearing space. The loess layer had a higher permeability and more water-bearing space than the palaeosol layer, which meant that the loess layer is more likely to form aquifers and the palaeosol layer is more prone to form aquitards.The groundwater in the loess strata had a multilayered characteristic, which depended on the relative impermeability of palaeosol layer and the alternate deposition of loess-palaeosol layers. The hydrological characteristics of the loess strata demonstrated that the Quaternary climate had an important control function on the formation and movement of groundwater. This knowledge provides a reliable theoretical basis for water resource development and utilization on the Chinese Loess Plateau, and this study extends the application of Quaternary climate change theory to hydrological systems in loess deposits.展开更多
There are a series of special mountain soils on the Tibetan Plateau of China in an alpine environment for the high altitude. However, very few studies have focused on major soil elements in relation to soil formation ...There are a series of special mountain soils on the Tibetan Plateau of China in an alpine environment for the high altitude. However, very few studies have focused on major soil elements in relation to soil formation in this area. Aluminum （Al）, iron （Fe）, calcium （Ca）, sodium （Na）, potassium （K） and magnesium （Mg） contents of 237 topsoil samples covering a 2.8-km altitudinal gradient in uncultivated areas along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway of China were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The spatial distribution of the elements and its relationship to the parent rocks and climatic parameters were analyzed. Soils along the gradient are derived from a range of parent materials, but most are less than 30 cm deep with little development （Cambisols）. Soil Al, Fe and Mg contents showed a decreasing trend from the start station （Xining Station） to end station （Lhasa Station） of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, whereas soil K and Na contents were relative stable from Xining Station to the Kunlun Mountains and then increased gradually. Soil Ca content was lower in the southern part of the Tanggula Mountains. The major soil element contents clearly reflected the parent rock and climatic influences. Soils with higher Ca content appeared in areas with Ca-Mg carbonate rocks, soils with higher Al were found in areas with silicate-rich and high-Al silicate clastic rocks and silicate-rich aluminosilicate loose sediments. Soils with higher K and Na contents appeared in areas with high-K, high-Na and silicate-rich aluminosilicate rocks. Soil Na and K contents were affected by temperature, whereas the contents of Mg, Fe, Ca and Al were more affected by precipitation. Soil Na and K contents increased with increasing temperatures, whereas the contents of Mg, Fe, Ca and Al decreased with increasing precipitation. This analysis provides a relationship between soil properties and rapidly changing environmental conditions. The data can be used to investigate the effect of the climate or land use change on soil properties.展开更多
A detailed paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation spanning loess L7 to paleosol S8 has been carried out at the Baoji and Xifeng sections. Results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the studie...A detailed paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation spanning loess L7 to paleosol S8 has been carried out at the Baoji and Xifeng sections. Results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the studied loess-paleosol sediments retain primary sedimentary fabrics. Stepwise thermal demagnetization shows that two well-defined magnetization components can be isolated from both loess and paleosol specimens. A low-temperature component, isolated between 100°C and 200°C, is consistent with the present geomagnetic field direction, and a high-temperature component, isolated between 200-300°C and 620-680°C, includes clearly normal and reversed polarities. Isothermal remanent magnetization and thermomagnetic analyses indicate that characteristic remanent magnetization is mainly carried by magnetite and hematite. The Day plot, together with the stratigraphic variations of rock-magnetic parameters, shows that the uniformity of magnetic mineralogy and grain size fulfills the criteria for relative paleointensity （RPI） studies. RPI records have been constructed using natural remanent magnetization （NRM） intensity after thermal demagnetization at 300°C normalized by low-frequency magnetic susceptibility （NRM 300 /χ）. The results show that the RPI record from the Baoji section, where pedogenesis is quite weak, is compatible with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, suggesting that it might reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. The RPI record from the Xifeng section, where pedogenesis is rather strong, indicates a clear dissimilarity with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, implying that it does not reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. Our new results show that the NRM 300 /χ from the strongly pedogenetic paleosols does not completely eliminate the pedogenetic （climatic） influence, so it might be unsuitable for a reliable paleointensity study.展开更多
Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation.Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside,near Glasgow,UK,reclaimed in the 1990...Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation.Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside,near Glasgow,UK,reclaimed in the 1990s using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge.The site was largely planted for production of short rotation coppice willow(Salix spp.).Earthworm inoculation formed a part of the restoration process.Minimal monitoring occurred in the interim,but some records of earthworm sampling existed in 2000 and 2005.This study focused on monitoring earthworms and soil properties across the site,drawing comparisons with adjacent unspoiled soil.Results showed that after 22 years,a species-rich community of earthworms(n=16)colonized the site,with endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa being dominant by number and anecic A.longa by mass.Across the site,earthworm community density and biomass were 208 individuals m^(-2) and 71 g m^(-2),respectively.The Shannon diversity index for earthworms was 1.89,with an evenness of 0.68.The sewage sludge increased the soil organic matter,but the stone content of the colliery spoil prevented digging in some locations.Soil chemistry had no negative effect on earthworms,but the compacted substrate did hinder water infiltration.Earthworms colonized the reclaimed site from adjacent areas,and community structure and density below well-drained,scrub-free willow,birch,and grassland were not significantly different(P>0.05)from those of the adjacent unspoiled areas.The results show that the historical earthworm inoculation was unnecessary and badly timed.Future reclamations of similar sites can learn from this investigation.展开更多
At elevated temperature regimes and abundant precipitation, mobilization and accretion of weathered iron oxides are promoted especially in a reduced environments in the tropics. This may lead to the formation of plint...At elevated temperature regimes and abundant precipitation, mobilization and accretion of weathered iron oxides are promoted especially in a reduced environments in the tropics. This may lead to the formation of plinthite, which hardens irreversibly upon repeated wetting and drying to form petroplinthite. The need for this review stems from the seemingly dearth of information on the subject and a need to clarify different terms used in describing plinthite. We review various research works on plinthite and its associated pedogenic forms in the tropics. Furthermore, we proffer recommendations as to the most appropriate land use management practices that could help minimise the environmental and agronomic problems associated with plinthite and its related pedogenic forms. Parent material, temperature, seasonality and geomorphology are critical factors that influence soil water regime which in turn affect the pedogenesis of plinthite. Soil pH and mineralogy are additional factors that could also promote plinthite formation. Fossil plinthic soils are potential proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Measures used in the management of plinthic soils include mechanically breaking the hardpans and the use of organic and inorganic amendments to modify the structure and chemistry of the soils. Avoidance of practices that would predispose soils to erosion would also prevent plinthization. We call for the relinquishment of the term ＂[aterite＂ which is a generM term for all forms of iron oxide-enriched earthy materials as used for plinthite. Plinthic horizon should also be incorporated into the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy in view of its growing importance in soils.展开更多
This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the stud...This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the study were to set a basis for further research on the biogeochemical REE cycle and to provide references for soil–water conservation and REE-containing fertilizer amendments. The results show a generally flat Post-Archean Average Australian Shale—normalized REE pattern for the studied calcareous soils. REE enrichment varied widely. The proportion of acidsoluble phases of heavy REEs was higher than that of light REEs. From top to bottom of the studied hills, dominant REE sources transitioned from limestone in-situ weathering to input from REE-containing phases(e.g., clay minerals,amorphous iron, REE-containing fluids). Our results indicate that the REE content of calcareous soils is mainly controlled by slope aspect, while the enrichment degree of REEs is related to geomorphological position and vegetation type.Furthermore, the proportion of acid-soluble phases of REEs is mainly controlled by geomorphological position.展开更多
Soil chronosequences derived from landslides with certain time series are the great avenue to elevate our understanding on the processes of pedogenesis,nutrient dynamics,and ecosystem evolution.However,the constructio...Soil chronosequences derived from landslides with certain time series are the great avenue to elevate our understanding on the processes of pedogenesis,nutrient dynamics,and ecosystem evolution.However,the construction of reliable soil chronosequence from historical landslides remains intricate.Here,we presented a 22,000-year soil chronosequence from multiple landslides on the upper reach of Minjiang River,western China.The variation in a variety of pedogenesis indices and soil nutrients verified the reliability of the chronosequence.The silica-alumina ratio and silica sesquioxide ratio decreased significantly with soil age.This reflected the enrichment of Al/Fe/Ti oxides but the depletion of Si oxides with the soil development.Meanwhile,the values of the Chemical Index of Weathering and the Chemical Index of Alteration increased significantly with soil age,especially from 5 to 89 years.These variations were attributed to the soil weathering,which led to the destruction of soil minerals with the rapid loss of most of cations(e.g.,K,Na,Ca,and Mg)during the soil development.The concentrations of carbon and nitrogen in topsoil increased with soil age,and the carbon accumulation rate slowed significantly from 5,500 to 22,000 years.The total phosphorus concentrations decreased with soil age,suggesting the gradual loss of soil phosphorus with soil development.The results indicate that the landslide chronosequence established on the upper reach of Minjiang River is reliable and delineates a long-term soil development process,which will provide a great platform for further improvement of biogeochemical theories and understanding sustainable vegetation restoration.展开更多
Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountai...Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province,are taken as objects to probe the controlling of geological formations on weathering characteristics,migration,and enrichment of elements as well as structure of Earth’s critical zone under the identical climate conditions through geological field survey,analysis on minerals component,element distribution in the weathering profile.The dolostone geological formation(DGF)is lithologically dominated by dolostone,characterized by the strongest and predominant chemical weathering.During bedrock weathering and pedogenesis,DGF is marked by significant depletion of CaO,Mg O,S,Mn,Mo and enrichment of N,K,Fe_(2)O_(3),and Zn with concentrations of P,Cu,and B keeping stable.Shortage of soil-forming materials and significant loss are driven by soil erosion,which results in thin regolith and soil.The soil thickness is less than 10 cm,and the regolith thickness is less than 30 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly rock arbor or brush,which is calcivorous and tolerant of barrenness.Plagiogneiss is a dominant rock type of gneiss geological formation(GGF),characterized by the weakest weathering and fast chemical and physical weathering rate.GGF is masked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),Mn,Cu and enrichment of N,S,Mo,and B,with contents of Zn keeping stable.Both soil and regolith developed in GGF are relatively thick for one of the reasons that biotite expands during weathering.The soil thickness is more than 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 100 to 200 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly high-quality economic forests and various arbors because of the enrichment of nutrients in GGF.Sandstone is primarily a rock type of sandstone geological formation(SGF),characterized by moderate weathering degree and slow chemical weathering rate.SGF is marked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),and enrichment of N,S,Mn,Cu,Zn,and Mo,with fluctuant changes of Zn and B.The thickness of soil developed in SGF varies between that of DGF and GGF.The soil thickness ranges from 30 to 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 50 to 100 cm.Chinese pines are widely spread on the shady slopes of SGF.Research provides theoretical support for screening dominant ecological resource areas,ecological industry development and ecological protection and restoration for Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province.展开更多
Soil formation is often a very slow process that requires thousands and even millions of years. Human influence, occasionally on a par with the function of climate or geological forces, can accelerate the process and ...Soil formation is often a very slow process that requires thousands and even millions of years. Human influence, occasionally on a par with the function of climate or geological forces, can accelerate the process and can be viewed as a distinct soil forming factor. This paper describes a soil, Haplic Regosol, in which anthrosolization dominates the soil forming process. Man-made soils, Technosols, were stabilized with techniques of ecological engineering (crib walls). We measured the main soil properties and focused on the movement of water (the reduction of soil weight is the key factor in stabilizing these calcschists). The newly deposited debris, sheltered by anthropic interventions, after four years differentiated an A/C profile while after forty years differentiated an O/A/AB/Bw/BC/C profile. Our results indicate that colonization by plants and the consequent success of vegetation establishment is influenced mainly by control of the factor of pedogenesis 'topography' and by the ability of these Technosols to retain nutrients.展开更多
The loess deposits comprise several paleosol layers reflecting alternation of drier and wetter climate during Quaternary. Such a situation occurs in north of Barlad, on The Sohodau＇s Hill. Morphological study of the ...The loess deposits comprise several paleosol layers reflecting alternation of drier and wetter climate during Quaternary. Such a situation occurs in north of Barlad, on The Sohodau＇s Hill. Morphological study of the quarry paleosols from north of Barlad was accomplished based on field observations and macroscopic physic-chemical results. Three levels of paleosols with variable thickness were determined. These three fossils layers are interbedded by four loess deposits. The physical-chimical data provide important information for the paleosol genesis and depositional/climatic environments. The carbon content and C/N ratio indicate the strength of pedogenesis in the Pleistocene and trends of biomass accumulation.展开更多
基金the Ministry of Science and Technology of China（Grant No.2006CB403200）National Natural Science Foundation of China（Grant No.49463011,49833002 and 49962002）+2 种基金the open foundation projects of the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry（in the years of 1993 and 1995）Engineering Project for Cross-century Qualified Scientific and Technological Personnel of Guizhou Province （2000-2004）Science Foundation of Guizhou Province.
文摘We investigated the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and its environmental effects in subtropical regions of China. The investigation demonstrated that the weathering- pedogenesis of carbonate rocks is the process of a joint action of corrosion and illuviation and metasomatism in subtropical region. It is characterized by multi-stage, multi-path and multi-style. With the persisting development of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks, metasomatic pedogenesis progressively became the main process of the weathering-pedogenesis and the dominant style of formation of minerals. And it proceeds through the whole process of evolution of the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks. The stage evolution of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and the fractionation evolution of newly produced minerals are characterized by obvious vertically zoning structures and the rules of gradation of elements geochemical characteristics in the carbonate rocks weathering profiles. The geochemical process of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks can be divided into three geochemical evolution stages, i.e., the Ca, Mg-depletion and Si, Al-enrichment stage; the Fe, Mn enrichment stage and the Si-depletion and Al-enrichment stage in the subtropical regions. Consistent with the three geochemical evolution stages, the sequence of formation and evolution of minerals can be divided into the clay mineral stage; the Fe, Mn oxide and the gibbsite stage. The influence of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks on the chemical forms of heavy elements is mainly affected via newly produced components and minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis, e.g., iron oxide minerals and organic matters. The important mechanism for the mobilization, transport and pollution of F and As is affected the selective adsorption and desorption of F and As on the surface of iron oxide minerals in the subtropical karst zones, i.e., the selective adsorption and desorption on mineral surfaces of newly produced minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis control the geochemical behavior of elements on the Earth＇s surface and environmental quality in subtropical regions.
基金supported by the CAS West-Developing Initiative (Grant No. KZCX2-XB2-07)the Key Technologies R & D Program of China (Grant No. 2008BAD98B04)
文摘Land cultivation and tillage process, and their consequent impacts on soil erosion, have been criticized as the main cause of degradation of land or soil quality. However, purple soils, classified as Regosols in FAO Taxonomy or Entisols in USDA Taxonomy, are formed from purple rocks of the Trias- Cretaceous system, have been developed or at least accelerated the development due to continual tillage operation, especially digging and ridging. The present study took micromorphological investigation on the sedimentary rocks and the soils under different operations of tillage. Results show that the purple rock of Feixiangguan Formation of the Trias system （Tlf） is the easiest to physical weathering and the most fertile soil material enriched in nutrients, and it has been, therefore, mostly cultivated and intensively tilled around the year. It has the fastest soil formation rate. Soil formation rate in the cropland with conventional tillage is higher than that in the forestiand and the grassland. It implies that the artificial brokenness and tillage disturbance play a great role in physical weathering and initiating soil formation processes.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40571154 No.40471119
文摘Optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） dating for polymlneral fine-grained loess samples, collected in Laoguantai （LGT） section on the south of the Chinese Loess Plateau, was made by application of single-aliquot regenerative-dose （SAR） protocol. A ＇Double-SAW procedure in which aliquots are subjected to both infrared （IR） and blue stimulations was used and two sets of equivalent dose （De） determinations were produced and assumed to relate predominantly to feldspathic and quartz fine grain populations respectively, The OSL ages estimated from IRSL signals are smaller than those estimated from [post-IR] OSL signals due to the anomalous fading of feldspar IR signals, based on fading experiment, The young ages of the samples near ground surface may be originated from the post-depositional disturbance by the intensifying humanity＇s cultivation since 3.0 ka BP in the Guanzhong Basin, south of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Based on OSL dating, as well as field observations and stratigraphic correlation, we determine the chronology of the LGT Ioess-paleosol sequence. In combination with climate proxy records, it is indicated that aeolian loess deposition and pedogenesis underwent polyphase changes during the Holocene, likely to have been driven by shifts in the East Asian monsoon. This suggests that aeolian loess deposition is episodic and highly variable, with contributions from non-aeolian processes such as alluvial deposition found in the area.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 49425405).
文摘A detailed record of the Matuyama-Brunhes (M-B) transition has been obtained from the loess unit 8 (L8) at Duanjiapo (34.2° N, 109.2° E), Shannxi Province of China. An investigation of the rock magnetic properties using hysteresis loops, thermomagnetic analyses identifies pseudo-single domain magnetite as the main carrier of the rema-nence, with a small contribution from maghemite and hema-tite. The paleo-direction records obtained reveal: ( i ) The M-B transition was recorded in the middle and lower part of L8, and comprises of five fast reversals. (ii) The duration of the M-B polarity transition related to the directional change is about 4800 a. (iii) The virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) path during the transition is confined over Africa, peaked 90° away from the sampling site, in contrast with the results obtained from the Weinan loess section. The different VGPs are probably attributed to the pedogenesis.
文摘Conceptual models are suitable for describing internal relationships of complex systems, including soil. We used conceptual models, the Jenny＇s and Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s models to understand the formation and evolution of soil. We studied 20 pedons in granitic hilly lands, loessial piedmont, and piedmont plain in southern Mashhad, northeast Iran. These soils were characterized by high levels of gypsum, especially in the granitic saprolites, which suggested the importance of the wind in shaping the soil structure. Jenny＇s model is a developmental and equilibrium model, which only describes the state of the soil formation factors and considers that each bioclimatie zone has a specific climax soil. It focuses on the genesis of the surface soil and is not suitable for buried soils and paleosols. Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s model describes soil as a product of progressive and regressive processes due to horizonation or haploidization. Progressive processes during the last interglacial cycle created a well-developed paleosol with an argillic horizon in all landforms, except the piedmont plain. Developmental soil up-building by aeolian addition led to gypsum enrichment of the granitic saprolite. Erosion decreased soil thickness and exposed the argillic horizon. The Last Glacial Maximum led to greater deposition of loess, covering the paleosol. Humidity was higher during the early Holocene than today, leading to the development of a Bk horizon. This horizon was preserved in the stable surfaces of granitic hilly land and in the loessial piedmont, but buried on the piedmont plain via the deposition of alluvial sediments. Jenny＇s model could be used for current soil formation factors, whereas Johnson and Watson-Stegner＇s model required morphological characteristics of pedons for interpretation.
基金1 Project supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-413-9) and theNational High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2004AA246020).
文摘The formation of Stagnic Anthrosols is closely related to rice planting and parent materials. Six representative pedons, two from each of three Stagnic Anthrosol subgroups, Vertic Haplic-, Vertic Gleyic-, and Sulfic Gleyic-Stagnic Anthrosols, from different parent materials and soil formation processes, from Liaoning Province, China, were selected and used along with additional supporting data to assess the potential impact in each soil subgroup combination of both pedogenic and anthropogenic factors on the migration and geochemical characteristics of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and their relations to soil particle-size composition. Results revealed that exchangeable Mg was correlated positively with clay and silt content, but negatively with sand content, suggesting that clay and silt could retain more exchangeable Mg than sand. Also, in the six pedons exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios generally decreased with depth, which was most likely due to the preferential retention of Mg below the Apl horizon and the effects of bio-cycling in rice-soil systems. The pedons with high pH had smaller exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios than those with low pH. Thus, it was concluded that exchangeable Ca/Mg ratios could be helpful in classification of Stagnic Anthrosols.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91325301,41130530,41371224,41601221)
文摘Knowledge of soil carbon（C） distribution and its relationship with the environment can improve our understanding of its biogeochemical cycling and help to establish sound regional models of C cycling. However, such knowledge is limited in environments with complex landscape configurations. In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution and storage of soil organic carbon（SOC） and soil inorganic carbon（SIC） in the 10 representative landscapes（alpine meadow, subalpine shrub and meadow, mountain grassland, mountain forest, typical steppe, desert steppe, Hexi Corridor oases cropland, Ruoshui River delta desert, Alxa Gobi desert, and sandy desert） with contrasting bioclimatic regimes in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. We also measured the 87 Sr/86 Sr ratio in soil carbonate to understand the sources of SIC because the ratio can be used as a proxy in calculating the contribution of pedogenic inorganic carbon（PIC） to total SIC. Our results showed that SOC contents generally decreased with increasing soil depth in all landscapes, while SIC contents exhibited more complicated variations along soil profiles in relation to pedogenic processes and parent materials at the various landscapes. There were significant differences of C stocks in the top meter among different landscapes, with SOC storage ranging from 0.82 kg C/m^2 in sandy desert to 50.48 kg C/m^2 in mountain forest and SIC storage ranging from 0.19 kg C/m^2 in alpine meadow to 21.91 kg C/m^2 in desert steppe. SIC contributed more than 75% of total C pool when SOC storage was lower than 10 kg C/m^2, and the proportion of PIC to SIC was greater than 70% as calculated from Sr isotopic ratio, suggesting the critical role of PIC in the C budget of this region. The considerable variations of SOC and SIC in different landscapes were attributed to different pedogenic environments resulted from contrasting climatic regimes, parent materials and vegetation types. This study provides an evidence for a general trade-off pattern between SOC and SIC, showing the compensatory effects of environmental conditions（especially climate） on SOC and SIC formation in these landscapes. This is largely attributed to the fact that the overall decrease in temperature and increase in precipitation from arid deserts to alpine mountains simultaneously facilitate the accumulation of SOC and depletion of SIC.
文摘The chemical leaching method is used for a systematic analysis of distribution characteristics of acid-soluble and acid-insoluble REE and other trace elements from the Luochuan loess deposits. The study shows that the acid-insoluble phase in loess and palaeosol is a stable component of old aeolian dusts and is characteristic of the provenance; the acid-soluble phase is the unstable component in the weathering pedogenic process and reflects rock-forming features after accumulation of aeolian dusts. The acid-insoluble REE and acid-soluble Sr and Pb can be used as geochemical indicators respectively to trace the provenance characteristics and the weathering pedogenic process.
文摘While research on pedogenesis mainly focuses on long-term soil formation and most often neglects recent soil evolution in response to human practices or climate changes, this article reviews the impact of artificial subsurface drainage on soil evolution. Artificial drainage is considered as an example of the impact of recent changes in water fluxes on soil evolution over time scales of decades to a century. Results from various classical studies on artificial drainage including hydrological and environmental studies are reviewed and collated with rare studies dealing explicitly with soil morphology changes, in response to artificial drainage. We deduce that soil should react to the perturbations associated with subsurface drainage over time scales that do not exceeding a few decades. Subsurface drainage decreases the intensity of erosion and must i) increase the intensity of the lixiviation and eluviation processes, ii) affect iron and manganese dynamics, and iii) induce heterogeneities in soil evolution at the ten meter scale. Such recent soil evolutions can no longer be neglected as they are mostly irreversible and will probably have unknown, but expectable, feedbacks on crucial soil functions such as the sequestration of soil organic matter or the water available capacity.
基金funded by the National 973 Project (2009CB421308)the Natural Science Foundation of China (40871080 and 90502008)
文摘Kansu （KS） profile is located in the east of Yili basin, western Xinjiang, where typical loess sediments are distributed. The magnetic parameters （such as IRM, SIRM SOFT, and M） and grain size in the KS profile were analyzed in the study. The results showed that the magnetic property of KS loess is dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals, such as magnetite and maghemite. Antiferromagnetic and superparamagnetic minerals also exist in the profile, but had less impact on magnetic susceptibility. Compared with the typical loess sediments of the central Loess Plateau in China, the strata of Kansu profile contained more magnetic minerals and hard magnetic minerals. The analysis of grain size for magnetic minerals indicated that the properties of loess and paleosol were respectively dominated by PSD/MD and coarse SSD magnetite. The research found that the contents of magnetic minerals in loess and paleosol sequences in Kansu profile were similar, but the proportion of fine grained magnetite and soft magnetic minerals were varying, which implies a positive relationship between the value of magnetic susceptibility and intensity of pedogenesis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41772180 and 40672108)the State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology of Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. SKLLQG1713)
文摘Permeability and water-bearing space are important hydrological characteristics of the loess strata. In this study a systematic experiment was conducted to measure the magnetic susceptibility, grain size, porosity, and infiltration rate of the loess and palaeosol layers on a loess tableland of the central Chinese Loess Plateau, in order to investigate the differences in hydrological conditions between the loess and palaeosol layers. The magnetic susceptibility of the loess layer was lower than that of the palaeosol layer, but the average quasi-steady infiltration rate was about 0.31 mm min^(-1) higher, the coarse silt and very fine sand contents were about7.1% greater, and the porosity was about 5.7% higher. These differences were mainly due to pedogenesis, which was affected by the Quaternary climate. The pedogenesis differences between the loess and palaeosol layers resulted in hydrological property differences in terms of permeability and water-bearing space. The loess layer had a higher permeability and more water-bearing space than the palaeosol layer, which meant that the loess layer is more likely to form aquifers and the palaeosol layer is more prone to form aquitards.The groundwater in the loess strata had a multilayered characteristic, which depended on the relative impermeability of palaeosol layer and the alternate deposition of loess-palaeosol layers. The hydrological characteristics of the loess strata demonstrated that the Quaternary climate had an important control function on the formation and movement of groundwater. This knowledge provides a reliable theoretical basis for water resource development and utilization on the Chinese Loess Plateau, and this study extends the application of Quaternary climate change theory to hydrological systems in loess deposits.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.XDB03030500)the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China (No.2013BAC04B02)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.40801042 and 90202012)
文摘There are a series of special mountain soils on the Tibetan Plateau of China in an alpine environment for the high altitude. However, very few studies have focused on major soil elements in relation to soil formation in this area. Aluminum （Al）, iron （Fe）, calcium （Ca）, sodium （Na）, potassium （K） and magnesium （Mg） contents of 237 topsoil samples covering a 2.8-km altitudinal gradient in uncultivated areas along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway of China were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The spatial distribution of the elements and its relationship to the parent rocks and climatic parameters were analyzed. Soils along the gradient are derived from a range of parent materials, but most are less than 30 cm deep with little development （Cambisols）. Soil Al, Fe and Mg contents showed a decreasing trend from the start station （Xining Station） to end station （Lhasa Station） of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, whereas soil K and Na contents were relative stable from Xining Station to the Kunlun Mountains and then increased gradually. Soil Ca content was lower in the southern part of the Tanggula Mountains. The major soil element contents clearly reflected the parent rock and climatic influences. Soils with higher Ca content appeared in areas with Ca-Mg carbonate rocks, soils with higher Al were found in areas with silicate-rich and high-Al silicate clastic rocks and silicate-rich aluminosilicate loose sediments. Soils with higher K and Na contents appeared in areas with high-K, high-Na and silicate-rich aluminosilicate rocks. Soil Na and K contents were affected by temperature, whereas the contents of Mg, Fe, Ca and Al were more affected by precipitation. Soil Na and K contents increased with increasing temperatures, whereas the contents of Mg, Fe, Ca and Al decreased with increasing precipitation. This analysis provides a relationship between soil properties and rapidly changing environmental conditions. The data can be used to investigate the effect of the climate or land use change on soil properties.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 41172038)the Programfor New Century Excellent Talents in University (no.NCET-11-0720)+2 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (no. 2010ZD05, 2011YXL010)the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education MinistryApart of this study was performed under the cooperative research program of CMCR (no. 07A017, 08A001)
文摘A detailed paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation spanning loess L7 to paleosol S8 has been carried out at the Baoji and Xifeng sections. Results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the studied loess-paleosol sediments retain primary sedimentary fabrics. Stepwise thermal demagnetization shows that two well-defined magnetization components can be isolated from both loess and paleosol specimens. A low-temperature component, isolated between 100°C and 200°C, is consistent with the present geomagnetic field direction, and a high-temperature component, isolated between 200-300°C and 620-680°C, includes clearly normal and reversed polarities. Isothermal remanent magnetization and thermomagnetic analyses indicate that characteristic remanent magnetization is mainly carried by magnetite and hematite. The Day plot, together with the stratigraphic variations of rock-magnetic parameters, shows that the uniformity of magnetic mineralogy and grain size fulfills the criteria for relative paleointensity （RPI） studies. RPI records have been constructed using natural remanent magnetization （NRM） intensity after thermal demagnetization at 300°C normalized by low-frequency magnetic susceptibility （NRM 300 /χ）. The results show that the RPI record from the Baoji section, where pedogenesis is quite weak, is compatible with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, suggesting that it might reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. The RPI record from the Xifeng section, where pedogenesis is rather strong, indicates a clear dissimilarity with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, implying that it does not reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. Our new results show that the NRM 300 /χ from the strongly pedogenetic paleosols does not completely eliminate the pedogenetic （climatic） influence, so it might be unsuitable for a reliable paleointensity study.
基金This work was financially supported by the Legacy Initiative of the British Land Reclamation Society(No.3290).
文摘Long-term studies are essential to learn earthworm community development and soil formation post reclamation.Investigations were undertaken at a former steelworks site at Hallside,near Glasgow,UK,reclaimed in the 1990s using a mixture of colliery spoil and sewage sludge.The site was largely planted for production of short rotation coppice willow(Salix spp.).Earthworm inoculation formed a part of the restoration process.Minimal monitoring occurred in the interim,but some records of earthworm sampling existed in 2000 and 2005.This study focused on monitoring earthworms and soil properties across the site,drawing comparisons with adjacent unspoiled soil.Results showed that after 22 years,a species-rich community of earthworms(n=16)colonized the site,with endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa being dominant by number and anecic A.longa by mass.Across the site,earthworm community density and biomass were 208 individuals m^(-2) and 71 g m^(-2),respectively.The Shannon diversity index for earthworms was 1.89,with an evenness of 0.68.The sewage sludge increased the soil organic matter,but the stone content of the colliery spoil prevented digging in some locations.Soil chemistry had no negative effect on earthworms,but the compacted substrate did hinder water infiltration.Earthworms colonized the reclaimed site from adjacent areas,and community structure and density below well-drained,scrub-free willow,birch,and grassland were not significantly different(P>0.05)from those of the adjacent unspoiled areas.The results show that the historical earthworm inoculation was unnecessary and badly timed.Future reclamations of similar sites can learn from this investigation.
文摘At elevated temperature regimes and abundant precipitation, mobilization and accretion of weathered iron oxides are promoted especially in a reduced environments in the tropics. This may lead to the formation of plinthite, which hardens irreversibly upon repeated wetting and drying to form petroplinthite. The need for this review stems from the seemingly dearth of information on the subject and a need to clarify different terms used in describing plinthite. We review various research works on plinthite and its associated pedogenic forms in the tropics. Furthermore, we proffer recommendations as to the most appropriate land use management practices that could help minimise the environmental and agronomic problems associated with plinthite and its related pedogenic forms. Parent material, temperature, seasonality and geomorphology are critical factors that influence soil water regime which in turn affect the pedogenesis of plinthite. Soil pH and mineralogy are additional factors that could also promote plinthite formation. Fossil plinthic soils are potential proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Measures used in the management of plinthic soils include mechanically breaking the hardpans and the use of organic and inorganic amendments to modify the structure and chemistry of the soils. Avoidance of practices that would predispose soils to erosion would also prevent plinthization. We call for the relinquishment of the term ＂[aterite＂ which is a generM term for all forms of iron oxide-enriched earthy materials as used for plinthite. Plinthic horizon should also be incorporated into the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Taxonomy in view of its growing importance in soils.
基金supported jointly by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41571130042,41522207,41325010)the State’s Key Project of Research and Development Plan of China(2016YFA0601002)
文摘This study investigated the impact of topography and vegetation on distribution of rare earth elements(REEs)in calcareous soils using methods of single extraction and mass balance calculation. The purposes of the study were to set a basis for further research on the biogeochemical REE cycle and to provide references for soil–water conservation and REE-containing fertilizer amendments. The results show a generally flat Post-Archean Average Australian Shale—normalized REE pattern for the studied calcareous soils. REE enrichment varied widely. The proportion of acidsoluble phases of heavy REEs was higher than that of light REEs. From top to bottom of the studied hills, dominant REE sources transitioned from limestone in-situ weathering to input from REE-containing phases(e.g., clay minerals,amorphous iron, REE-containing fluids). Our results indicate that the REE content of calcareous soils is mainly controlled by slope aspect, while the enrichment degree of REEs is related to geomorphological position and vegetation type.Furthermore, the proportion of acid-soluble phases of REEs is mainly controlled by geomorphological position.
基金funded by the Key Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for International Cooperation(131551KYSB20190028)the Key Research and Development Projects Foundation of Sichuan,China(Grants No.2018JZ0075)。
文摘Soil chronosequences derived from landslides with certain time series are the great avenue to elevate our understanding on the processes of pedogenesis,nutrient dynamics,and ecosystem evolution.However,the construction of reliable soil chronosequence from historical landslides remains intricate.Here,we presented a 22,000-year soil chronosequence from multiple landslides on the upper reach of Minjiang River,western China.The variation in a variety of pedogenesis indices and soil nutrients verified the reliability of the chronosequence.The silica-alumina ratio and silica sesquioxide ratio decreased significantly with soil age.This reflected the enrichment of Al/Fe/Ti oxides but the depletion of Si oxides with the soil development.Meanwhile,the values of the Chemical Index of Weathering and the Chemical Index of Alteration increased significantly with soil age,especially from 5 to 89 years.These variations were attributed to the soil weathering,which led to the destruction of soil minerals with the rapid loss of most of cations(e.g.,K,Na,Ca,and Mg)during the soil development.The concentrations of carbon and nitrogen in topsoil increased with soil age,and the carbon accumulation rate slowed significantly from 5,500 to 22,000 years.The total phosphorus concentrations decreased with soil age,suggesting the gradual loss of soil phosphorus with soil development.The results indicate that the landslide chronosequence established on the upper reach of Minjiang River is reliable and delineates a long-term soil development process,which will provide a great platform for further improvement of biogeochemical theories and understanding sustainable vegetation restoration.
基金Research Program of Tianjin North China Geological Exploration BureauHK2021-B15,Daqing Fu+4 种基金Geological Survey Program of China Geological SurveyMinistry of Natural ResourcesDD20190822,Xiaofeng WeiS&T Program of Hebei(CN),19224205DHao Wei。
文摘Bedrock weathering performs a significant influence on the evolution of Earth’s critical zone.Carbonate rock(dolostone),metamorphic rock(gneiss),and sedimentary rock(sandstone)geological formations in Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province,are taken as objects to probe the controlling of geological formations on weathering characteristics,migration,and enrichment of elements as well as structure of Earth’s critical zone under the identical climate conditions through geological field survey,analysis on minerals component,element distribution in the weathering profile.The dolostone geological formation(DGF)is lithologically dominated by dolostone,characterized by the strongest and predominant chemical weathering.During bedrock weathering and pedogenesis,DGF is marked by significant depletion of CaO,Mg O,S,Mn,Mo and enrichment of N,K,Fe_(2)O_(3),and Zn with concentrations of P,Cu,and B keeping stable.Shortage of soil-forming materials and significant loss are driven by soil erosion,which results in thin regolith and soil.The soil thickness is less than 10 cm,and the regolith thickness is less than 30 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly rock arbor or brush,which is calcivorous and tolerant of barrenness.Plagiogneiss is a dominant rock type of gneiss geological formation(GGF),characterized by the weakest weathering and fast chemical and physical weathering rate.GGF is masked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),Mn,Cu and enrichment of N,S,Mo,and B,with contents of Zn keeping stable.Both soil and regolith developed in GGF are relatively thick for one of the reasons that biotite expands during weathering.The soil thickness is more than 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 100 to 200 cm.The vegetation community is predominantly high-quality economic forests and various arbors because of the enrichment of nutrients in GGF.Sandstone is primarily a rock type of sandstone geological formation(SGF),characterized by moderate weathering degree and slow chemical weathering rate.SGF is marked by significant depletion of P,K,CaO,MgO,Fe_(2)O_(3),and enrichment of N,S,Mn,Cu,Zn,and Mo,with fluctuant changes of Zn and B.The thickness of soil developed in SGF varies between that of DGF and GGF.The soil thickness ranges from 30 to 50 cm,and the regolith thickness ranges from 50 to 100 cm.Chinese pines are widely spread on the shady slopes of SGF.Research provides theoretical support for screening dominant ecological resource areas,ecological industry development and ecological protection and restoration for Yanshan Mountain,Hebei Province.
文摘Soil formation is often a very slow process that requires thousands and even millions of years. Human influence, occasionally on a par with the function of climate or geological forces, can accelerate the process and can be viewed as a distinct soil forming factor. This paper describes a soil, Haplic Regosol, in which anthrosolization dominates the soil forming process. Man-made soils, Technosols, were stabilized with techniques of ecological engineering (crib walls). We measured the main soil properties and focused on the movement of water (the reduction of soil weight is the key factor in stabilizing these calcschists). The newly deposited debris, sheltered by anthropic interventions, after four years differentiated an A/C profile while after forty years differentiated an O/A/AB/Bw/BC/C profile. Our results indicate that colonization by plants and the consequent success of vegetation establishment is influenced mainly by control of the factor of pedogenesis 'topography' and by the ability of these Technosols to retain nutrients.
文摘The loess deposits comprise several paleosol layers reflecting alternation of drier and wetter climate during Quaternary. Such a situation occurs in north of Barlad, on The Sohodau＇s Hill. Morphological study of the quarry paleosols from north of Barlad was accomplished based on field observations and macroscopic physic-chemical results. Three levels of paleosols with variable thickness were determined. These three fossils layers are interbedded by four loess deposits. The physical-chimical data provide important information for the paleosol genesis and depositional/climatic environments. The carbon content and C/N ratio indicate the strength of pedogenesis in the Pleistocene and trends of biomass accumulation.
