Turbation

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Turbations (from Latin turbatio , eddies ) are mixing processes of soil horizons or sediments. According to their cause, a distinction is made between bioturbation, hydroturbation and cryoturbation.

Bioturbation

The Bioturbation is caused by soil organisms mixing of the soil or sediment. The mixing leads to a widening of horizons and a "blurring" of the horizon transitions. Mole and earthworm feeding ducts form secondary soil pores , which play a decisive role in the water conductivity of fine-grained soils. The processes of bioturbation promote the formation of lime-clay-humus complexes , which stabilize the crumb structure , which is valuable for soil fertility .

Actually, anthropogenic soil cultivation measures also belong to bioturbation, but are conventionally not included.

Hydroturbation

The Hydroturbation even Peloturbation, is a swelling pressure movement caused by changing water levels. It is based on swelling and shrinking processes of clay minerals. There are gaps in the floor into which clay minerals are washed. A structure of micro-hills next to micro-depressions (microturbation) is created on the surface.

Hydroturbation leads to the formation of vertisoles .

Cryoturbation

The Kryoturbation is a Turbation caused by ice. With this physical weathering effect , the same mechanism can be found as with the frost blasting (cryoclastic) of rock - volume increase when ice is formed from water. In soils saturated with water, the alternation of frost and thawing mixes the soil, causing ice lenses and frost lifting processes to form.

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