SOILS OF PRICE PATRICK ISLAND.
Abstract
Prince Patrick Island, one of the more northerly islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, centers approximately on 76 deg 45 min N. 119 deg 30 min W. The island is referred to botanically as a rock desert or fell field, geographically as high arctic, and pedologically as a region of Polar Desert soils. Unlike the main tundra belt to the south, the landscape has a pronounced desert-like appearance with closed vegetation confined to the lower, wet positions. Genetic soils in decreasing abundance are Polar Desert, Tundra (Upland and Meadow) and Bog. A few isolated examples of Arctic Brown soil are present. Polar Desert soils are characterized by a desert pavement and a poorly defined A-B-C horizon sequence. Usually Polar Desert soils have high pH values, high levels of soluble constituents and at times free salts are present. Organic matter in Polar Desert soils is apparently contributed largely by algae. Tundra soils, confined mainly to the lower positions, are comparatively shallow-developed, attesting to the rigorous regional climate. Clay minerals consist of an illite-vermiculite-montmorillonite mixed-layer mineral, vermiculite, illite, kaolinite, and clay-size quartz with vermiculite concentrated at the surface. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0673012
Entities
People
- G. F. Walton
- J. C. F. Tedrow
- P. F. Bruggemann