ARCTIC PEDOGENESIS

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Abstract
The genetic origin of soils displaying eluvial E and illuvial Bs horizons in the Arctic has been questioned, because present climatic conditions and biotic influences appear too limiting for active podzolization. We evaluated current trends in soil development by a new approach that uses chemical analysis and interpretation of soil solutions collected in situ. When plotted as depth functions, such solution parameters as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Fe, and Al can reveal distinct pedogenic trends. These solution profile “signatures” can be used to compare current soil-forming processes in the Arctic with established temperate zone solution signatures for podzolization and brunification. Solutions collected from the boreal forest and arctic tundra of northern Alaska show metal cations (Fe, Al) and organic carbon leaching from the E and accumulating in the Bs, pedogenic processes that are the essence of podzolization. Spodosols can, therefore, be explained in terms of contemporary soilforming processes in the Arctic tundra.