Soils of Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica

摘要: Soils of Marie Byrd Land-one the remotest and difficultly accessible regions Antarctica-were investigated in area mothballed Russkaya station located to south 74° S. Despite extremely severe wind regime (the average velocity is 13 m/s, maximum up 60 m/s), projective cover vegetation averages 25–40% reaches 60–80% some places. The phenomena physical weathering bedrock-exfoliation, stone pavements, residual rocks exposed by (hoodoos), others-are clearly manifested. In most described soils, normal organic organomineral horizons are absent. soil profiles represent mixture residues mosses lichens gravelly eluvium. fine earth material blown out surface strong winds; its accumulation takes place middle lower parts profiles. classification position these soils open argument; they close Petrozems Lithozems. Most underlain massive or slightly disintegrated bedrock with dry permafrost at a depth 20 50 cm. comprise about 75% surveyed area. separate loci depressions local mesorelief on gentle slopes, expressed cryoturbation features developed; their ice-rich compose 15% Anthropogenically disturbed polluted petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, other pollutants occupy 10%