Heterogeneity of andic soils in conditions of Slovakia

Abstract

Andic soils occurring and developed in conditions of Slovakia are evaluated in this contribution. Soil properties have been studied on the three geomorphological units (Kremnické vrchy, Štiavnické vrchy and Poľana mountains) which are situated on neovolcanic rocks and their pyroclastics under forest. Chemical and physical properties were analysed and evaluated (pH value, SOC, C_HA/C_FA, Q⁴₆, ¹³C NMR spectrum, Nt, available nutrients and their fractional composition (P, K), Fe_ox, Fe_d, Al_ox, Al_d, organic phosphorus – P_org, texture, bulk density) in selected soil profiles. Based on obtained results it may be said that andic soils in conditions of Slovakia are mostly medium deep to deep, very dark brown to black (10YR 2/2- 2/1) with high content of SOC (5.5–12.7%) and Nt (0.47–0.92%), C_HA/C_FA < 1 and C/N ratio between 12-15 (moder humus form), Q⁴₆ 4–5. Concerning the indicators of ¹³C NMR spectrum it was determined that the aliphatic carbon is predominant. Namely, the C_alif/C_ar ratio is running mostly in the range 1.3–1.8. Evaluated soils are acid to very acid with low content of available nutrients (P, K). Despite the poor occurrence of andic soils in soil cover, they occur in a relatively wide sequence: Dystric Umbric Andic Cambisols – Andic Umbrisols – Dystric Umbric, Fulvic Andosols mostly under forest (with predominance of beech and maple trees) in the conditions of Slovakia.

Keywords: Andosols, soil classification, andic properties, thixotropy, Slovakia