Hydroturbation

Hydroturbation , also called peloturbation , is the mixing of the soil due to repeated swelling and shrinking . This occurs above all with alternating moisture and swellable substrates , for example three-layer clay minerals such as montmorillonite . It brings the so-called "self-mulch effect" with it.

As a typical relocation or translocation process , the hydroturbation contributes to the soil development and profile formation of a soil.

When the soil colloids shrink , segregates and dry cracks develop into which swellable soil particles are washed . This leads to an intensive mixing of topsoil and subsoil, which means that in the event of strong hydroturbation the formation of soil horizons is even prevented (vertisoles).

See also

• Gyttja - subhydric soil type, which swells and shrinks strongly when dry;
• Vertisol - clay soil type created by hydroturbation;
• Lessivation - clay shift, formation of flow structures (clay cutanes);
• Soil-forming processes

literature

D. Schroeder: Soil Science in Key Words , Unterägeri 1984, pp. 61, 92, 95, ISBN 3-266-00192-3