On soil genesis In temperate humid climate. 6. The formation of a glossudalf in loess (silt loam).

Abstract

In a well-drained gray brown podzolic soil (in S. Limburg), considered to be a Holocene soil formation in originally calcareous wind deposits, continuing development of the textural B horizon under the infiltration conditions occurring in flat areas leads to polygonal cracking in dry periods. In the wet season the soil surrounding these cracks becomes saturated. Reduction processes arise, leading to bleaching, and the appearance, in vertical sections, of light-coloured tongues bordered with a yellowish red band, and at some distance, Mn mottles and concretions. In the tongues strong clay leaching occurs. The largest amount of micro-morphologically determined orientated clay bodies (notably channel and ped argillans) occurs in the B3 horizon, whereas the B2t horizon has the highest clay content. Classification of the profile as an aquic glossudalf was based on a consideration of chemical and morphological data. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)