THE C-14 AGE OF HUMIC SUBSTANCES IN PALEOSOLS

By comparing the radiocarbon age of the soils under burial mounds of k nown archaeological age with the surface-exposed (background) soils of the surrounding landscapes, we may evaluate the rates of humus renewa l in these soils. In the cold climate of the mideastern areas of the R ussian plains, the value of humus rejuvenation coefficient decreases. This shows that humus renewal is 5-10 times slower than in the warmer climate of the southern regions. Using the obtained data on the rejuve nation rate of humus substances, we can determine the age of paleosols and study the dynamics of the carbon exchange processes in the biosph ere.