Abstract
Soil systems continuously gain and lose matter and energy even in areas where climate is too harsh to support the higher plants such as in high elevations and in permafrost environments. The purpose of this paper was to elucidate soil formation at 4 700 m asl in the Kunlun Mountains of the Qinghai (Tibet) Plateau, China. We collected twenty-six samples from three pedons developed on carbonate-rich slate and quartzitic-sandstone materials. The samples were analyzed for routine physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Our results indicate that soil-forming processes are barely taking place in the study site as shown by pH &gt; 7.0 reflecting limited decarbonation, biological activity (&lt; 1.0% total C and &lt; 0.05% total N), podzolization (&lt;1 g Fe<sub>p</sub>+Al<sub>p</sub> kg<sup>-1</sup> soil) and lessivage. The relative amounts of mica and kaolinite show no apparent change with depth suggesting minimal transformation and translocation of phyllosilicates. The most noticeable mineral transformation resulted in micaceous “flakes” and feldspathic “fragments” possibly due to thermal stress. Calcite is also observed coating the slate fragments. The soils are classified as Cryosols in the World Reference Base system and Gelisols in the Soil Taxonomy with ochric epipedon as the only diagnostic horizon indicating recent development of soils due to cold and arid environment. The results of this study show that soil-forming processes in harsh environments are manifested in the mechanical breakdown of minerals such as mica and feldspars.
Highlights
Soils are open systems where input/output of matter and energy continuously takes place
Some soil properties transform rapidly (1 to 102 years), some change at a relatively slow rate (102 to 106 years) and others evolve over long duration of time (104 to 106 years) (Yaalon 1971 cited in Chadwick and Chorover 2001)
Our results show that soil-forming processes are barely taking place in Qinghai plateau
Summary
Soils are open systems where input/output of matter and energy continuously takes place. Soil is mainly considered as a medium for plant growth but “the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment” is no longer a requirement in the revised definition of soil (Soil Survey Staff 2010). The revised definition includes “soils in areas of Antarctica where pedogenesis occurs, but where climate is too harsh to support the higher plant forms.”. Beyer and Bölter (2000) reported that meltwater and moss layers are essential for the podzolization processes taking place in East Antarctica. Bockheim (1997) reported that soil-forming processes in cold and dry valleys in Antarctica are dominated by physical weathering with some degree of reduction and oxidation of iron, and accumulation of salts from precipitation. Situations similar to the cold Antarctic desert may exist in high elevation and permafrost areas (e.g., Qinghai Plateau, China) where the environment is characterized by a cold and dry climate that is not conducive to plant growth
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
