Abstract
A detailed macro- and micro-morphological study of seven closely-adjacent soil profiles on calcareous clay tills in a long-established beech wood in central Denmark, shows that depth of decalcification, thickness of textural B horizon, development of umbric epipedons and development of albic sub-horizons are all related to slope inclination, slope form and to relative situation in the slope complex. The soils may be classified within four subgroups of Alfisols, while one is a Mollisol. The MAST of 8°C poses problems of typification at suborder level between frigid and mesic classes. Development of clay skins and of glaebules and concretions as indicators of the redeposition of mobilised components, are present to greater extent in stable slope situations; with least lateral subsoil water movement. Development of albic horizons is related to greater lateral water movement. Development of cutanic features by argilluviation - argillans - do not exclude features formed by redeposition of carbonates - calcitans. Soil plasmic fabrics with both features are termed calcisepic fabrics and prove deposition of clay and carbonates in the same soil horizons, usually the lower B and C(g) horizons. Morphologically the dark epipedons show intense humification and many fecal pellets because of the undisturbed and high plant productivity and intense biotic activity. The micromorphology is one of isotic argillasepic plasmic fabrics. The argillic horizons are dominantly insepic or vosepic, while the calcareous C horizons are either argillasepic, or calci-vosepic or calcisepic. It is possible that some of the carbonate reprecipitation post-dates the argilluviation, the carbonates derived during secondary dissolution in the suprajacent horizons.
Published Version
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