Soils of Tundra and Sub-Tundra Larch Open Woodland of Tit-Ary Island (Delta of the Lena): Genesis, Properties, and Distribution Trends

Physico-chemical properties and vertical distribution patterns of clay minerals were studied in the permafrost affected soils from the tundra and sub-tundra larch open woodland of Tit-Ary island. That unique complex is located in the delta of the Lena river, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Despite the small size of the island and the fact that permafrost is close to the surface, several variants of pedogenesis determine the soil diversity in this area. The soils are characterized by various degrees of gleyic and stagnic properties due to sandy or loamy texture and location in the landscapes (top of the hills as well as steep or gentle slope). Mineral association is the same in the studied profiles characterized by the predominance of two components – chlorite and illite. Iron hydroxide–lepidocrocite occurred on the boundary of permanently frozen ground in the profile within pronounced spodic features as well as smectitic clay indentified in the both horizon of this permafrost affected soil can be attributed as a result of modern pedogenesis.