Organic matter content
as a simple indicator of alluvial soils
development

Adam Michalski
Nicolaus Copernicus University
Institute of Geography
Department of Soil ScienceToruń, Poland
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

The aim of the study- aspect of the main topic Anthropogenic changes of soil
cover on the Vistula river floodplain between Toruń andBydgoszcz:
 transformations of soil organic matter caused by humanactivity (agricultural use of land), transformations of soil organic matter in floodplain soils
influenced to inundation (flooded area) and with absence of
this process (non-flooded area)

Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Processes causing transformation of floodplain soil cover

Alluvial soils transformations
human activity

deforestation

agricultural use

natural processes
eliminationof inundation(floodbanks)

cultivation(e.g. ploughing, subsoiling)

manuring
drainage of land

Humic Substances in Ecosystems8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009
Slovakia

water erosion
at the deforested
flooded areas

Fig. 1. Terraces in the Toruń Basin (Tomczak 1982)
1- the edge of moraine plateau , 2 – edges of river terraces, 3 – flooplain (terrace I),
4 – melting depressions, 5 – floodbanks, 6 – terraces numbers, 7 – altitude (m a.s.l.),8 – dated sites:
DZI – Dzikowo, KB – Kopańskie Bagno, GR I i GR II – Grabowiec I i II, CZBŁ- Czarne Błota,RZ – Rzęczkowo, WOŁ – Wołuszewo, WIL – Wilkowyje, KR – Krusz, PE – Pędzewo,
Humic
Substances
8, Šoporňa
13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia
PRZ – Przyłubie, POD– Podgórz,
SŁin–EcosystemsSłońsk, NIE- Nieszawa

Fig. 2. Location of the study area
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

2Fig. 3. Location of soil profiles on the map from 70. of XX century
Humic Substances in Ecosystems
8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009
Slovakia

42
1Fig. 4. Location of soil profiles on the map from the 2nd half of XIX century

3Fig. 5. Location of profile 3 on the map from the 2nd half of XIX century
Humic Substances in Ecosystems
8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009
Slovakia

Profile 1
Land use category
 in the past: probably willow
riparian forest, than plantation ofwillow (human activity), nowadays: agricultural use: cornfield (last 20–30 years)

Classification
PSSS (1989): mada rzecznawłaściwa (proper alluvial soil)
WRB (2006): Haplic Fluvisol(Siltic, Hypogleyic)
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Profile 2

Land use category
 in the past: agricultural use
for about 120 years(data from old German maps)

 nowadays: agricultural use:
corn field

Classification
PSSS (1989): mada rzecznawłaściwa (proper alluvial soil)
WRB (2006): Umbric Fluvisol(Arenic, Endogleyic)
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Profile 3Land use category
 in the past: grassland nowadays: agricultural use(colza field) for 30 years

Classification
PSSS (1989): mada rzeczna
próchniczna (humic alluvialsoil)
WRB (2006): Gleyic Fluvisol(Humic, Siltic)
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Profile 4
Land use category
 in the past: probably
elm-ash riparian forest, nowadays: remains of forest(„cluster” of trees) enclosed bycorn field

Classification
PSSS (1989): mada rzeczna
próchniczna (humic alluvial soil)
WRB (2006): Mollic Fluvisol
Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Particle size analysis

HumicSubstances
Ecosystems
8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia*according
to Polish
Society ofinSoil
Science (1989)

Chemical and physicochemical properties of soils

n.d. – non determined

OC – organic carbon

Nt – total nitrogen

Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Chemical and physicochemical properties of soils

Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Fig. 6. Location of transect
in lower part of flooded area

Fig. 7. Properties of soil
samples from the transect
Humic Substances in Ecosystems
8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009
Slovakia

Conclusions•

Organic matter content can be a simple indicator of the alluvial soils
development. It gives informations about the pedogenesis conditions.

•Two generations of alluvial soils can be distinguished in the fllooded areaof the floodplain. First one concerns soils which had developed before theVistula River channel regulations in the 2nd half of XIX century.
The second one encompasses soils developed after incorporation of „riverislands” to the old part of floodplain (anthropogenic phase).

•Despite of the different time of pedogenesis the alluvial soils of flooded
and non-flooded part of the floodplain are characterized by diversificationsof organic matter content. It indicates a large influence of other soil
forming factors (humidity, flora, human activity).

•Soils of the incorporated „river islands” are characterized by deepen
humus horizon (effect of ploughing) and low organic matter content(<0,5% OC). It indicates the need of detailed investigations focused on
the trophic potential, position in the flooded area ecosystem and possible
soil degradation.

Humic Substances in Ecosystems 8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009 Slovakia

Thank you for an attention

Humic Substances in Ecosystems
8, Šoporňa 13.-17.9.2009Slovakia