Eluvial & Illuvial Pedogenic Processes

Biogeography - UNLV

Lomolino et al. 2006

Podzolization – Low temperatures inhibit organic matter (OM) decomposition  OM accumulated (O

horizon). Low pH (acidity) of organic acids  leach cations and iron/aluminum oxides, leaving a silica rich
layer (=white E horizon).

Laterization – High temperature & precipitation (& soil moisture)  rapid decomposition of OM  no
organic acids, little humus in profiles. High precipitation also causes silicates and cations to leach out.
Iron/aluminum oxides precipitate & transform to  thick red clay layer (with drying, can become  lateritic
hardpan). Phosphates become  bound & unavailable.

Calcification – Low precipitation  cations not leached out but translocated downward, so salts accumulate
in a layer (can result in  cemented hardpan=caliche at depth of wetting). Salts can also be concentrated by
being drawn up through water by surface evapotranspiration.

Gleization – cold temperature/water logged soils inhibit OM decomposition  high accumulated OM: Peat
soils (A horizon). B horizon accumulation of partially-reduced iron gray clay layer. Permafrost limits
drainage, leaching. Yet, highly acidic nutrients bound/unavailable.

See Lomolino et al. (2006: p. 51-54) for further description of processes.

Azonal Soils

An azonal soil is one that is most strongly determined not by climate but by its parent material, landscape
position, or non-climatic factor – so can be generally found in a variety of biomes. (A zonal soil is primarily
determined by climate.)

Examples, with naming suffix:

Sand – Psammo-
Salt – Halo-
Stoney/rocky – Litho- (e.g., bajadas)
Waterlogged (e.g., swamp, moor, mangrove) – Helo-
Temporally wet – Amphi-
Nutrient poor – Peino- (e.g., serpentine)

See also Table 3.4 & 3.5 in Brady & Weil (2008) Soils text for additional suffices, as used in suborder and
great group names.

tk 311r,312