scholarly journals Concepts of Soil Formation and Classification in Arctic Regions

ARCTIC ◽  
1958 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C.F. Tedrow ◽  
J.E. Cantlon
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Tundra Soils ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
Free Drainage ◽  
Soil Forming Processes ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Northern Alaska ◽  
Selective Influence

Discusses, on basis of studies in northern Alaska, soil forming processes in arctic regions and considers the relation between vegetation and soils and problems of classification and mapping. Tundra soils are poorly drained, mineral in nature, and underlain by permafrost at depths of 1-2 ft Arctic brown soils form under free drainage, are mineral in character, and confined to ridges, terrace edges, and stabilized dunes. The active layer in such soils is usually deep. Downslope movement and frost action tend to disrupt any orderly morphology in both wet and well-drained sites. Moisture conditions in arctic soils exert a marked selective influence on vegetation.--from SIPRE.

scholarly journals Temporal, Spatial, and Temperature Controls on Organic Carbon Mineralization and Methanogenesis in Arctic High-Centered Polygon Soils

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taniya Roy Chowdhury ◽  
Erin C. Berns ◽  
Ji-Won Moon ◽  
Baohua Gu ◽  
Liyuan Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Tundra Soils ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
Mineral Soils

Warming temperatures in continuous permafrost zones of the Arctic will alter both hydrological and geochemical soil conditions, which are strongly linked with heterotrophic microbial carbon (C) cycling. Heterogeneous permafrost landscapes are often dominated by polygonal features formed by expanding ice wedges: water accumulates in low centered polygons (LCPs), and water drains outward to surrounding troughs in high centered polygons (HCPs). These geospatial differences in hydrology cause gradients in biogeochemistry, soil C storage potential, and thermal properties. Presently, data quantifying carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) release from HCP soils are needed to support modeling and evaluation of warming-induced CO2 and CH4 fluxes from tundra soils. This study quantifies the distribution of microbial CO2 and CH4 release in HCPs over a range of temperatures and draws comparisons to previous LCP studies. Arctic tundra soils were initially characterized for geochemical and hydraulic properties. Laboratory incubations at −2, +4, and +8°C were used to quantify temporal trends in CO2 and CH4 production from homogenized active layer organic and mineral soils in HCP centers and troughs, and methanogen abundance was estimated from mcrA gene measurements. Results showed that soil water availability, organic C, and redox conditions influence temporal dynamics and magnitude of gas production from HCP active layer soils during warming. At early incubation times (2–9 days), higher CO2 emissions were observed from HCP trough soils than from HCP center soils, but increased CO2 production occurred in center soils at later times (>20 days). HCP center soils did not support methanogenesis, but CH4-producing trough soils did indicate methanogen presence. Consistent with previous LCP studies, HCP organic soils showed increased CO2 and CH4 production with elevated water content, but HCP trough mineral soils produced more CH4 than LCP mineral soils. HCP mineral soils also released substantial CO2 but did not show a strong trend in CO2 and CH4 release with water content. Knowledge of temporal and spatial variability in microbial C mineralization rates of Arctic soils in response to warming are key to constraining uncertainties in predictive climate models.

A survey of mycorrhizal plants on Truelove Lowland, Devon Island, N.W.T., Canada

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1848-1856 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bledsoe ◽  
P. Klein ◽  
L. C. Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Cenococcum Geophilum ◽  
Soil Extracts ◽  
Vaccinium Uliginosum ◽  
Devon Island ◽  
Ericoid Mycorrhizae ◽  
Arctic Regions ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
Mycorrhizal Associations

Although mycorrhizal associations are commonly found on roots of most plant species, little is known about the presence or absence of mycorrhizae in arctic regions. In the Canadian High Arctic, roots of 55 herbaceous and woody plant species were examined for mycorrhizae during the summers of 1987 and 1988 on Devon Island, N.W.T. Ectomycorrhizal associations were found on roots of Salix arctica, Dryas integrifolia, and Potentilla hyparctica; ericoid mycorrhizae formed on Cassiope tetragona and Vaccinium uliginosum. Ectomycorrhizal roots were often covered with black hyphae resembling the fungus Cenococcum geophilum; sclerotia characteristic of this fungus were found in soil extracts. Plants expected to have endomycorrhizal associations were apparently nonmycorrhizal in the traditional sense, since no arbuscules, vesicles, or pelotons were found on any roots during two field seasons. Although extensive fungal hyphae were often present on and within roots, these hyphae could not be conclusively identified as endomycorrhizal. Some dark, septate hyphae were present; their function, although unknown, may be beneficial to the host. In a series of greenhouse bioassays using arctic soils, no endomycorrhizal associations developed on test plants. Spores of vesicular–arbuscular fungi were not found in soil extracts. Thus in this survey, only ectomycorrhizal associations were observed, suggesting that the cold, dry winter and cold, wet summer climates in this area of the High Arctic severely limit formation of endomycorrhizae. Key words: roots, fungi, ectomycorrhizae, endomycorrhizae, arctic.

scholarly journals Comparison of model-produced active layer fields: Results for northern Alaska

2007 ◽  
Vol 112 (F2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay I. Shiklomanov ◽  
Oleg A. Anisimov ◽  
Tingjun Zhang ◽  
Sergey Marchenko ◽  
Frederick E. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Northern Alaska

scholarly journals Metaplasmidome-encoded functions of Siberian low-centered polygonal tundra soils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Gorecki ◽  
Stine Holm ◽  
Mikolaj Dziurzynski ◽  
Matthias Winkel ◽  
Sizhong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Rapid Adaptation ◽  
Tundra Soils ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Functional Potential ◽  
Stress Response Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding

AbstractPlasmids have the potential to transfer genetic traits within bacterial communities and thereby serve as a crucial tool for the rapid adaptation of bacteria in response to changing environmental conditions. Our knowledge of the environmental pool of plasmids (the metaplasmidome) and encoded functions is still limited due to a lack of sufficient extraction methods and tools for identifying and assembling plasmids from metagenomic datasets. Here, we present the first insights into the functional potential of the metaplasmidome of permafrost-affected active-layer soil—an environment with a relatively low biomass and seasonal freeze–thaw cycles that is strongly affected by global warming. The obtained results were compared with plasmid-derived sequences extracted from polar metagenomes. Metaplasmidomes from the Siberian active layer were enriched via cultivation, which resulted in a longer contig length as compared with plasmids that had been directly retrieved from the metagenomes of polar environments. The predicted hosts of plasmids belonged to Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pectobacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Firmicutes. Analysis of their genetic content revealed the presence of stress-response genes, including antibiotic and metal resistance determinants, as well as genes encoding protectants against the cold.

scholarly journals Soil Formation, Subaerial Sedimentation Processes and Ancient Cultures during MIS 2 and the Deglaciation Phase MIS 1 in the Baikal–Yenisei Siberia (Russia)

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Galina Vorobieva ◽  
Nadezhda Vashukevich ◽  
Natalia Berdnikova ◽  
Ivan Berdnikov ◽  
Dmitry Zolotarev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Formation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Initial Profile ◽  
Formation Type ◽  
Cultural Layers ◽  
Human Habitation ◽  
Soil Forming Processes ◽  
First Time ◽  
Sedimentation Processes ◽  
Humus Horizons

The time of Sartan glaciation in the Baikal–Yenisei Siberia, is comparable with that of MIS 2 and the deglaciation phase MIS 1. Loess loams, aeolian–colluvial sands and sandy loams represent subaerial sediments. There are four subhorizons (sr1, sr2, sr3 and sr4) in the Sartan horizon (sr). Sedimentary and soil-forming processes at different stratigraphic levels are considered. Differing soil formation types of cold periods are distinguished. Soils of the interstadial type with the A-C profile are represented only in the Early Sartan section of this paper. The soils of the pleniglacial type are discussed throughout the section. Their initial profile is O-C, TJ-C and W-C. Plant detritus remnants or poor thin humus horizons are preserved in places from the upper horizons. We propose for the first time for the interphasial soil formation type of cold stages to be distinguished. This is represented in the sections by the preserved BCm, BCg, Cm and Cg horizons of 15–20 cm thick. The upper horizons are absent in most sections. According to the surviving fragments, these were organogenous (O, TJ and T) and organomineral (AO and W) horizons. The sedimentation and soil formation features are considered from the perspective reconstruction of the Sartan natural and climatic conditions. Buried Sartan soils often contain cultural layers. Soil formation shows a well-defined periodicity of natural condition stabilization, which allowed ancient populations to adapt actively to various situations. Archaeologists’ interest in fossil soils is based on the ability of soils to “record” information about the natural and climatic conditions of human habitation.

SPECTRAL SIGNATURE OF COUPLED FLOW IN THE REFREEZING ACTIVE LAYER, NORTHERN ALASKA

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel I. Outcalt ◽  
Kenneth M. Hinkel ◽  
Frederick E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Coupled Flow ◽  
Northern Alaska

Conceptual Approaches to Pedogenesis

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vance T. Holliday
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Soil Formation ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Pedogenic Process ◽  
Soil Geomorphology ◽  
Multiple Process ◽  
The Many ◽  
Soil Forming Processes ◽  
State Factor

To fully appreciate and apply pedologic principals in archaeology, some of the theoretical underpinnings of pedology and especially soil geomorphology must be outlined. Pedologists and soil geomorphologists have attempted to describe, if not model, the processes of soil formation, the factors that drive the processes, and the evolution of soils as landscapes evolve (summarized by Smeck et al., 1983; Johnson and Watson-Stegner, 1987; and Gerrard, 1992, pp. 1–50, 217–220). The task is a difficult one, however, because of the complex and variable sets of processes responsible for soil development. Several of the resulting approaches have proven useful for conceptualizing pedogenesis and, more important, for interpreting soils. In addition to understanding soil-forming processes for interpreting soil profiles, understanding soil formation is important for understanding site formation. The conceptual approaches particularly useful in soil geomorphic and geoarchaeological research are summarized below. Soil-forming processes as components of site formation are discussed more fully in chapter 10. The following discussions of conceptual approaches to pedogenesis are roughly arranged in order of increasing complexity. The “multiple-process model” is essentially a categorization of soil-forming processes. It does not explain pedogenesis but is a useful way to sort and group the many soil-forming processes. The “state factor” approach and the “K-cycle” concept do not deal directly with soil formation, but instead focus on important external factors and processes that drive or affect pedogenesis such as climate and geomorphic evolution. The “soil evolution” model and the “new global view of soils” attempt to integrate pedogenic process with landscape evolution, climate, and other factors. This section closes with discussion of two important aspects of pedogenesis and pedogenic pathways that offer caveats in the use of soils for reconstructing the past. Soils are the result of biogeochemical processes determined and driven by the ecosystem (following Buol et al., 1997). This relationship is more simply described as “internal soil-forming processes” driven by “external soil-forming factors” (fig. 3.1; after Buol et al., 1984). A useful approach to categorizing the many and varied internal soil-forming processes responsible for pedogenesis is the multiple-process model of Simonson (1959, 1978).

Spatial variability of permafrost active-layer thickness under contemporary and projected climate in Northern Alaska

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry A. Streletskiy ◽  
Nikolay I. Shiklomanov ◽  
Frederick E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Northern Alaska
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