Geochemical changes in podzolic forest soil 17 years after deep tilling

• Published in: Boreal environment research Vol. 21; no. 5-6; p. 504
• Main Authors: Lindroos A.-J., Derome, K, Piispanen, J, Ilvesniemi, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Finnish Environment Institute 01.01.2016
• ISSN: 1239-6095; 1797-2469

Mechanical site preparation, e.g. ploughing, is commonly used in connection with regeneration of forests after clear-cut. Ploughing causes disturbances in the properties of the original soil profile. The aim of this study was to determine changes in concentrations of elements in the podzolic soil horizons exposed to soil-forming processes such as weathering due to deep tilling in boreal forest soil located in southern Finland. The total concentrations of elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for the podzolic soil horizons collected from undisturbed soil, tilt, undisturbed soil below the tilt and furrow 17 years after clear-cut and deep tilling. Depletion of the elements by chemical weathering occurred in the topmost horizons of the furrow within 17 years after exposure of the B horizon to soil-forming processes caused by deep tilling. In the tilt horizons, the dominant factor affecting changes in concentrations was mixing of the original horizons as a result of deep tilling, which masked possible depletion due to weathering.