Some parameters of the soil exchange complex in the boreal soils of Russia

Spatial regularities in the distribution of three parameters of soil exchan ge complex-cation exchange capacity, pH of salt suspensions, and the degree of soil unsaturation with bases-are analyzed on the basis of published dat a on 555 profiles of mesomorphic loamy soils in the boreal zone of Russia. These data are included into the "Boreal" database. It is shown that spatia l (lateral) differentiation of these parameters is mainly dictated by the l ithological factor. The role of zonal (climate-controlled) factor is less d istinct and rather ambiguous. Podzolic soils can develop from both poor (lo w exchange capacity) and rich (high exchange capacity) rocks. In some regio ns, texture-differentiated soils display nonstandard distribution of pH and base saturation values in their profiles.