Distribution and Variability of Soils near Atkasook, Alaska^*

* Institute of Polar Studies, The Ohio State University, Contribution No. 393.

Abstract

Nine soils, representing three soil orders, occur near Atkasook, Alaska. The soils are mostly sands and loamy sands, and with few exceptions, they are acid. Their morphology is complex and strongly conditioned by site stability and drainage. The exchange complex is largely organic. Exchangeable cations are few and hydrogen ions dominate, particularly in the poorly drained soils. Large quantities of extractable iron (Fe³⁺ and/or Fe²⁺) are found in all of the soils. In the somewhat poorly drained soils on slopes with tussock tundra, iron-manganese-humic acid coprecipitates are characteristic.

Great variability in morphology and in chemical and physical characters exists within a single soil-landform unit and among similar units. This situation is common to all soils but is accentuated in those of cold regions due to cryoturbic processes. The least variability is found in physical characteristics such as depth of thaw and, to a lesser extent, soil moisture and texture. Variability in chemical characteristics appeared to be least in soil reaction and greatest in total and available phosphorus. Great variability probably extends to all exchangeable cations. Although the large-scale patterns of soil and vegetation are closely linked to moisture gradients, variability in soil chemistry within map units limits inferences regarding the relationships between the chemical parameters and natural vegetation.