Geogenesis and pedogenesis of well drained brown soils on the youngest Late Weichselian Meuse terrace in North Limburg, Netherlands.

Authors

  • A.G. Jongmans
  • R. Miedema

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v34i1.16819

Abstract

The Meuse terraces of Late Weichselian and Holocene age can be subdivided into 4 levels. The youngest Late Weichselian terrace occurs partly along and close to the present-day Meuse. On recent soil maps the well drained brown soils, occupying the highest positions of this terrace level, have been indicated as Plaggepts. This implies the presence of a plaggen epipedon of more than 50 cm thick. Three characteristic soil profiles were studied macromorphologically and micromorphologically and samples were analysed for particle size distribution and selected chemical properties. It is concluded that the brown top-soils are due to periodic Holocene sedimentation followed by homogenization. The sandy loam and finer-textured Late Weichselian subsoils have a clear argillic horizon. These soils should be classified as Alfisols (Luvisols) rather than Plaggepts. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Published

1986-02-01

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Section

Papers