Abstract
This article is based on long-term research of aquatic landscapes in the Volga River delta which was held in 2010–2012 and included investigation and sampling of bottom sediments in deltaic lagoons, fresh-water bays, small channels, oxbow lakes, and part of the deltaic near-shore zone. Contrasting hydrological regime and suspended matter deposition together with huge amount of water plants in the river delta provide for the formation of different types of subaquatic soils. The purpose of this research is to reveal the properties of the subaquatic soils in the Volga River deltaic area and to propose pedogenetic approaches to the diagnostic of aquazems as soil types. It is suggested to name the horizons in aquazems in the same way as in terrestrial soils in the recent Russian soil classification system, and apply symbols starting with the combination of caps – AQ (for “aquatic”). The aquazems’ horizons are identified and their general properties are described. Most typical of aquazems is the aquagley (AQG) horizon; it is dove grey, homogeneous in color and permeated by clay. The upper part is usually enriched in organic matter and may be qualified for aquahumus (AQA) or aquapeat (AQT) horizons. In case of active hydrodynamic regime and/or strong mixing phenomena, the oxidized (AQOX or aqox) horizon, or property could be formed. It is yellowish-grey, thin, and depleted of organic matter. The main types of aquzems specified by forming agents and combinations of horizons are described.
Highlights
The upper layers of sediments in shallow lakes, ponds, coves, marine shelves and deltaic zones are referred to as soils by some scientists starting with the famous soil scientist and micromorphologist W
The purpose of this research is to reveal the properties of solid-phase bodies in the Volga River deltaic areas that allow qualifying these bodies as soils, and to propose pedogenetic approaches to them
The studies performed and analysis of rather scarce publications enable us to propose some operational terms for subaquatic soils and their horizons following the terminology and conceptual background of the ‘Classification and Diagnostic of Soils of Russia’ [2004]
Summary
The upper layers of sediments in shallow lakes, ponds, coves, marine shelves and deltaic zones are referred to as soils by some scientists starting with the famous soil scientist and micromorphologist W. Kubiena, who separated the trunk of Subaqueous soils from the trunk of Semi-terrestrial and Terrestrial ones as early as in 1953 [Soils of Europe, 1953]. The traditional perception of soil as of a natural-historical body on the earth surface with its genetic horizons and diverse ecological services (soil functions of [Dobrovol’skiy and Nikitin, 1986]) has been expanded over technogenic and some other objects.
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