Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11
Argillic, Kandic, and Natric Horizons
11.1
Introduction
Nearly all classification systems recognize clay-enriched subsoils at a high hierar-
chical level. Some of the most productive soils in the World for food and fiber
production have clay-enriched horizons. Clay-enriched horizons are important for
the nutrient status of soils, water retention, and geomorphic stability (Hopkins and
Franzen
2003
). In
Soil Taxonomy
(ST) (Soil Survey Staff
2010
), Alfisols and
Ultisols are defined on the basis of clay-enriched horizons, and many Aridisols
and Mollisols have clay-enriched subsoils. Argillic and related horizons have been
particularly important in soil stratigraphy, relative dating, pedodiversity studies,
and climate-change research (Franzmeier et al.
1985
; Eghbal and Southard
1993
;
Othberg et al.
1997
; Kemp et al.
1998
; Karlstrom
2000
; Holliday and Rawling
2006
; Karlstrom et al.
2008
; Wilson et al.
2010
).
Studies of clay-enriched horizons have been conducted in many countries and
regions, such as Russia (Fridland
1958
; Rode
1964
), the United Kingdom (e.g.,
Avery
1983
), Eastern Europe (Bronger
1991
), Australia (Walker and
Chittleborough
1986
), Canada (Lavkulich and Arocena
2011
), Argentina (Blanco
and Stoops
2007
), and Iran (Khormali et al.
2003
,
2012
; Khademi and Mermut
2003
). Birkeland (
1999
) reviewed the genesis of soils with argillic and related
horizons, focusing on field and laboratory data, thin-section and scanning electron
microscope (SEM) analysis, and mass-balance studies. In summary, clay-enriched
subsoils are the result of translocation, in situ formation, and relative loss of clay
from the topsoil.
Bockheim, J.G., Hartemink, A.E. 2013. Distribution and classification of soils with clay-enriched
horizons in the USA. Geoderma 209-210:153-160. Acknowledgment
is given to Elsevier
Publishers for allowing a revision of this article to be published herein.
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