11
Soil-Forming Processes in the Great Lakes
Coastal Zone
11.1 Introduction
Specific soil processes are determined by the soil-forming
factors and are expressed in diagnostic horizons, properties,
and materials, which are then used to classify soils:
soil-forming factors ! soil-forming processes ! diagnostic horizons, properties, materials ! soil taxonomic system
(Bockheim and Gennadiyev 2000). Accordingly, these
investigators identified 17 generalized soil-forming processes. Two additional processes are added here, including
cambisolization and glossification, and they will be defined
forthwith. The dominant soil-forming processes in the
GLCZ are gleization, argilluviation, podsolization, cambisolization, melanization, glossification, paludization, and
vertization (Fig. 11.1).
11.2 Gleization
Gleization (hydromorphism) refers to the presence of aquic
conditions often evidenced by reductimorphic or redoximorphic features such as mottles and gleying. In the Great
Lakes region, gleization is favored by proximity to the lakes,
abundant precipitation, and parent materials that restrict
drainage by virtue of texture, a layer that restricts moisture
movement, or the presence of bedrock.
11.3 Argilluviation
Argilluviation (lessivage) refers to the movement of clays in
the solum. This process is favored in the Great Lakes region
by an abundance of precipitation (udic and aquic
soil-moisture regimes), parent materials enriched in
carbonate-free clays and coarse fragments, backslopes rather
than eroding shoulders, and a time interval of >2,000 yr
(Bockheim and Hartemink 2013).
11.4 Podzolization
Podzolization is a complex collection of processes that
includes eluviation of base cations, weathering transformation of Fe and Al compounds, mobilization of Fe and Al in
surface horizons, and transport of these compounds to the
spodic Bs. horizon as Fe and Al complexes with fulvic acids
and other complex polyaromatic compounds. This process
occurs in soils located primarily along the northern and
eastern shores of Lake Superior and the north shore of Lake
Huron. Podzolization in the Great Lakes region is favored by
abundant precipitation and low temperatures (cryic and frigid soil-temperature regimes), low-base-status, sandy parent
materials, the presence of coniferous vegetation, and a time
interval of >8,000 yr (Bockheim 1997; 2003).
11.5 Cambisolization
Cambisolization refers to a collection of weak soil-forming
processes that leads to the formation of a cambic horizon,
which is present largely in Inceptisols and some Mollisols in
the Great Lakes region. A cambic horizon may form
in <1,000 yr.
11.6 Melanization
Melanization (humification) refers to the accumulation of
well-humified organic compounds in the upper mineral soil.
This process is favored in the Great Lakes region by
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. G. Bockheim, Soils of the Laurentian Great Lakes, USA and Canada,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52425-8_11
137
Soil-Forming Processes in the Great Lakes
Coastal Zone
11.1 Introduction
Specific soil processes are determined by the soil-forming
factors and are expressed in diagnostic horizons, properties,
and materials, which are then used to classify soils:
soil-forming factors ! soil-forming processes ! diagnostic horizons, properties, materials ! soil taxonomic system
(Bockheim and Gennadiyev 2000). Accordingly, these
investigators identified 17 generalized soil-forming processes. Two additional processes are added here, including
cambisolization and glossification, and they will be defined
forthwith. The dominant soil-forming processes in the
GLCZ are gleization, argilluviation, podsolization, cambisolization, melanization, glossification, paludization, and
vertization (Fig. 11.1).
11.2 Gleization
Gleization (hydromorphism) refers to the presence of aquic
conditions often evidenced by reductimorphic or redoximorphic features such as mottles and gleying. In the Great
Lakes region, gleization is favored by proximity to the lakes,
abundant precipitation, and parent materials that restrict
drainage by virtue of texture, a layer that restricts moisture
movement, or the presence of bedrock.
11.3 Argilluviation
Argilluviation (lessivage) refers to the movement of clays in
the solum. This process is favored in the Great Lakes region
by an abundance of precipitation (udic and aquic
soil-moisture regimes), parent materials enriched in
carbonate-free clays and coarse fragments, backslopes rather
than eroding shoulders, and a time interval of >2,000 yr
(Bockheim and Hartemink 2013).
11.4 Podzolization
Podzolization is a complex collection of processes that
includes eluviation of base cations, weathering transformation of Fe and Al compounds, mobilization of Fe and Al in
surface horizons, and transport of these compounds to the
spodic Bs. horizon as Fe and Al complexes with fulvic acids
and other complex polyaromatic compounds. This process
occurs in soils located primarily along the northern and
eastern shores of Lake Superior and the north shore of Lake
Huron. Podzolization in the Great Lakes region is favored by
abundant precipitation and low temperatures (cryic and frigid soil-temperature regimes), low-base-status, sandy parent
materials, the presence of coniferous vegetation, and a time
interval of >8,000 yr (Bockheim 1997; 2003).
11.5 Cambisolization
Cambisolization refers to a collection of weak soil-forming
processes that leads to the formation of a cambic horizon,
which is present largely in Inceptisols and some Mollisols in
the Great Lakes region. A cambic horizon may form
in <1,000 yr.
11.6 Melanization
Melanization (humification) refers to the accumulation of
well-humified organic compounds in the upper mineral soil.
This process is favored in the Great Lakes region by
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. G. Bockheim, Soils of the Laurentian Great Lakes, USA and Canada,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52425-8_11
137