Geomorphological structure and several physico-chemical properties of soils in Western Spitsbergen maritime cryogenic landscapes

Spitsbergen is the territory with unique landscape, geological and biological diversity under threat of degradation as a consequence of air temperature dynamics and permafrost area and thickness decrease. Additionally, nowadays in Spitsbergen the mining activity continues (coal, metal ores, hydrocarbons) and the quantity of tourists rises yearly. These reasons unavoidably lead to ecosystem transformation processes. In 2024 field studies of soils and natural waters at Western Spitsbergen cryogenic landscapes took places around Green-Fjord (Barentsburg) and Colesbay (Polar station). 19 soil profiles were described and classified as 8 types. Soil were described according to classification and diagnostics of Russian soils. Soil peats studies were carried out by the landscape-geochemical (catenar) principle. In soil cover structure of the elevated geomorphological levels – I and II marine terraces (including those covered by deluvial shields), – gleyic cryozems and humified petrozems dominate. Soil surfaces on these levels are complicated by nano-polygonal cryogenic microrelief. Soil diversity of lower geomorphological levels – river floodplains and low (periodically flooding) accumulative sea coasts, – is presented by pelozems, petrozems, and sulfide solonchaks, developing in conditions of shallow dense rocky layer depth. Major part of studied natural waters is characterized by moderate oxidation-reduction potential around 100-250 mV, acidity rate vary within 6.5-9.5. Mineral-peaty gleezems developing in the lowlands with the periodical flooding by sea waters are characterized by the highest acidity rates and compose negative oxidation-reduction potential (down to -3 mV) and high mineralization (between 3-5 g L-1). Soils of these landscapes are most perspective from the point of lateral matter migration in catenas of the Spitsbergen maritime cryogenic landscapes for the reason that contrast lateral geochemical barriers are able to form here.