Arctic soil properties associated with micro-relief forms in the bellsund region ( Spitsbergen)

The following patterning of the ground surface was observed in the Bellsund region: sorted circles, mud boils, cell forms, solifluction (striped) forms and large polygons (tundra polygons). The soils associated with these forms often have different morphological, granulometric and chemical properties and plant covers. polygons and surfaces without relief are usually accompanied by relatively well developed brown soils with a dense plant cover (70–100%). Such forms occur mainly on loamy sands and loams with abundant 1.0–0.1 mm particles. Brown soils are rich in humus which decreases with depth. Typical gley soils usually with a sparse plant cover are associated with cell forms, sorted circles and mud boils. Solifluctional forms are usually accompanied by gley-like soils, rarely by brown-like ones. nd gley-like soils occur on sediments rich in fractions < 0.02 and < 0.002 mm. Compared to brown soils, they contain much less humus which sometimes increases downwards. The soils contain different amounts of carbonate and are usually alkaline but sometimes neutral in reaction. Calcium and magnesium are the main exchangeable cations.