CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME LOAMY-TEXTURED PODZOLS IN NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

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Abstract
Humo-Ferric Podzols (Typic Cryorthods) developed on glacial till or glaciolacustrine deposits were sampled in the Chapleau-Foleyet area of northeastern Ontario. pHs of Ae horizons ranged from 3.30 to 4.20 and of C horizons from 4.40 to 4.85. Cation exchange capacities (CEC) of mineral soil horizons averaged 1.7 meq/100 g, whilst those of the forest humus (fibrimors) averaged 166 meq/100 g. The CECs of the Bf and BC horizons were highly pH-dependent, averaging 3.2 meq/100 g at pH 4 and 16.8 meq/100 g at pH 8. The pH-dependency of CEC in these horizons was believed to be due to Al-complexes with organic matter. Calculated elemental loss using Zr as an internal standard showed significant losses of Mg, Fe, Ca and Al from Ae (albic) horizons and gains of Fe and, to a lesser extent, gains of Al in Bf (spodic) horizons. The clay mineralogy of Ae horizons was dominated by a high-charge smectite and that of Bf and BC horizons by chlorite.