Limestone chernosem
The Kalktschernosem is like the very closely related Tschernosem a humus accumulation bottom , so a floor with a deep humus rich A horizon . It is named after the higher lime content of the soil compared to Chernosem. The soil type is divided into class T (black earth). Its abbreviation is TC.
Properties and origin
This type of soil forms in semi-arid to semi-humid and continental climates on calcareous loose material such as loess . The initial and formation conditions are the same as in Chernosem. However, the precipitation in calcareous schernosemes is so low that there is almost no seepage . In addition, with rising groundwater there is a secondary accumulation of calcium in the soil. As a result, the entire soil up to the surface is very rich in lime. Lime concretions ("loess pebbles") are often visible in the entire soil profile .
The leveling largely corresponds to that of the Chernosem (Axh / lC), but the suffix c is also used: Acxh / lCc.
- Acxh: Humous (h) topsoil horizon (A) with very high lime content (c = carbonatic;> 75% lime) and a lot of soil movement by animals (x).
- lCx: Loose (l) and lime-rich (c) starting material (C)
Occurrence
Kalktschernoseme are the dominant soils of the dry short-grass steppe (parts of the Great Plains , Pampas and Gran Chaco , southern part of the Eurasian steppe ). In Central Europe , due to the relatively humid conditions, there are only very small deposits in the driest areas of the black earths such as the rain shadow of the Harz .
Related soil types
The Kalktschernosem is very similar to the Chernosem. In the international soil classification World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) it often correlates with the Kastanozem , sometimes with the Chernozem .
use
Although lime schernosemes are generally very fertile, agriculture is dependent on irrigation or poses a risk because of the unsafe rainfall. With secure water conditions, the soils enable crops with high demands ( wheat , cotton ). But they are prone to wind and water erosion , as well as compaction .
See also
literature
- Ad hoc working group on soil; Federal Institute for Geosciences and Raw Materials in cooperation with the State Geological Services of the Federal Republic of Germany (Ed.): Soil-based mapping instructions . 5. revised u. exp. Edition. Hanover 2005, ISBN 3-510-95920-5 .
- W. Amelung, H.-P. Blume , H. Fleige, R. Horn, E. Kandeler , I. Kögel-Knabner , R. Kretschmar, K. Stahr , B.-M. Wilke: Scheffer / Schachtschabel textbook of soil science. 17th edition. Heidelberg 2018. ISBN 978-3-662-55870-6 .