Lateral and Radial Differentiation of Geochemical Composition of Cryogenic Soils in the Khanovei Scientific and Educational Field Site, Bolshezemel’skaya Tundra

Specific soil and geochemical features of the southern tundra cryogenic landscapes on the Khanovei scientific and educational field site (Khanovei SEFS) located nearby the eponymous settlement in the Vorkuta urban okrug of the Komi Republic have been studied. The morphological descriptions of soil have been done in accordance with the modern Russian soil classification system. Chemical-analytical methods have been used to evaluate such physical and chemical parameters of soil horizons as the pH value, soil texture, iron fractional composition, and content of total dissolved solids and organic carbon. The main feature of the soil and geochemical features of the Khanovei SEFS is gross chemical composition of cryogenic soils. Gross concentrations of chemicals have been determined by a portable X-ray Fluorescence Analyzer and then geochemical coefficients of radial (profile) and lateral (catena) differentiation of chemical elements (R and L, respectively) have been calculated. Gleyic soil horizons, including the above-permafrost horizons, are characterized by the largest R values in soil profiles. Peat horizons with no traces of soil mineral fraction are depleted of the most of elements (R = 0.1–0.3) and mineral horizons of soils differ by increased RFe, RMn, etc. The lower part of the catena, mostly consisted with sandy soils, is depleted of most of elements (Ti, Zn, Zr, etc.), while predominantly loamy soils of the upper part of the catena accumulate these elements and, thus, lead to increased L values.