Rethinking weathering and pedogenesis in alpine periglacial regions: some Scandinavian evidence

Abstract

AbstractResearch in the Arctic and alpine regions of NW Sweden and south-central Norway reveals an active chemical-weathering regime: in Kärkevagge, Swedish Lapland, pyrite weathers to produce an acidic environment with vigorous chemical weathering and active pedogenesis as indicated by locally well-developed Spodosols; in the Jotunheimen Mountains of Norway, soil horizons form slowly but cobbles develop weathering rinds within c. 250 years. Such results indicate that chemical weathering and pedogenesis may be quite advanced in alpine periglacial regions and is just one illustration that such regions may be profitably scrutinized using geomorphological and pedological conceptual frameworks other than the traditional periglacial framework.