Features of Formation of Properties and Composition of the Permafrost Soils of Central Yakutia

Abstract

Here we describe total content, physical and chemical properties and mineralogical characteristics of soils of Central Yakutia. It is also demonstrated that pedogenetic patterns of composition changes of primary and secondary clay minerals in permafrost soils depend on the type and intensity of elementary soil processes which take place in them. To study the composition and properties of the permafrost soils we have selected five types and subtypes of soils (malt, fawn and fawn solodized neutral, pale-brown podzolized, chernozem) of Central Yakutia. The studies were conducted in krioaridic territory of Central Yakutia in three areas of soil and vegetation katena (Hatassy – B.Chabyda) of the valley Tuymaada covering all levels of high-rise ancient alluvial plain. Based on the assessment of climatic conditions of this area and X-ray data we defined the mineralogical composition of these soils, which is characterized as predominantly quartz-feldspar, but at the same time, content and distribution in the soil profile of other primary and secondary minerals is significantly different. This, in its turn, is closely connected with the elementary soil processes, such as cespitose, solodization and podzolization, illuvial-carbonate and seasonal gleying.