Eolian contribution to geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of some soil types in Medvednica Mountain, Croatia

Abstract

Six pedological profiles were analyzed above five typical lithological units in Medvednica Mountain to determine the effect of eolian additions to the soil composition, as well as the possible influence of relief, vegetation cover, and anthropogenic input on the dynamics of pedogenesis. Bedrock composition was defined using petrographic (thin sections) and chemical analyses (major and trace element contents), whereas pedological, sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of six cross-sections were determined by chemical (major and trace element contents), mineralogical (modal analysis), and grain size analysis. Soils developed on sedimentary bedrock (Mollic Rendzic Leptosols (Calcaric) and Albic Luvisol (Sceletic)) mostly originate from weathering of siliciclastic detritus that was exposed to oxidization before diagenesis. Furthermore, soils on metasiltstone, marble and Lithothamnium limestone exhibit similar modal and geochemical composition and element distribution across the soil profile. In contrast, soils developed on igneous bedrock originate mostly from weathering of minerals of the first weathering cycle and thus abound with chemically less resistant minerals and less mobile elements. However, all profiles contain higher concentrations of lead with respect to bedrock indicating airborne contamination.