ARCTIC SOIL PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH MICRORELIEF FORMS IN THE BELLSUND REGION (SPITSBERGEN)

The following patterning of the ground surface was observed in the Bel lsund region: sorted circles, mud boils, cell forms, solifluction (str iped) forms and large polygons (tundra polygons). The soils associated with these forms often have different morphological, granulometric an d chemical properties and plant covers. Tundra polygons and surfaces w ithout relief are usually accompanied by relatively well developed bro wn soils with a dense plant cover (70-100%). Such forms occur mainly o n loamy sands and loams with abundant 1.0-0.1 mm particles. Brown soil s are rich in humus which decreases with depth. Typical gley soils usu ally with a sparse plant cover are associated with cell forms, sorted circles and mud boils. Solifluctional forms are usually accompanied by gley-like soils, rarely by brown-like ones. Gley and gley-like soils occur on sediments rich in fractions < 0.02 and < 0.002 mm. Compared t o brown soils, they contain much less humus which sometimes increases downwards. The soils contain different amounts of carbonate and are us ually alkaline but sometimes neutral in reaction. Calcium and magnesiu m are the main exchangeable cations.