Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 83. (Budapest 1991)

Szendrei, G.: Contribution to the micromorphology of the brown forest soils in Hungary

characteristic for acid brown forest soil (Ardennes, Belgium) owing to the considerable amount of free Al3+ and Fe- ions. The argillans (clay coatings) were interpreted as relict features proceeding to degradation. Neither were clay coatings observed by KoWALINSKI (1970) in acid brown forest soils formed on granite (Poland). CONCLUSIONS From the micromorphological descriptions the following statements could be concluded on forming processes: - Micromorphological features indicating clay mobilization were found in chernozem-, lessivated, pseudogley, acidic and kovárvány brown forest soils. Monic zones in porphyric related distribution reflecting the impoverishment of the fine material were observed in lessivated, podzolised and pseudogley brown forest soils, - the micromorphological characteristics of manganese or/and iron mobilization were found in nearly all soil types. These observations indicated a long-term waterlogging in the pseudogley brown forest soil, and slight hydromorphic influences in the other soil types. It could not be excluded that these were relict features in some cases, - calcitic pedological features and crystallic b-fabric were only found in the D-horizon of chernozem-brown forest soil, and in the brown forest soil with residual carbonate. The characteristic micromorphological features of the soil type compiled from the former study were found in the brown forest soil with residual carbonate, chernozembrown forest soil, Ramann brown forest soil, lessivated and pseudogley brown forest soil. The micromorphological characterization of kovárvány was also given. Considerable differences were observed among the generalized micromorphological features in the podzolic and acidic, non-podzolic brown forest soils. In podzolic brown forest soil the coatings were absent, while clay coatings could be found in acidic, non-podzolic brown forest soil. The differences were attributed to the effects of parent material and its weathering. In podzolic brown forest soil the weathering and as a consequence the accumulation of quartz contributed to the formation of a A2-horizon, whereas the occurrence of clay coatings and the preferred orientation of fine material in acidic, non-podzolic brown forest soil were attributed to the weathering of phyllite rich in sericite. * * * Acknowledgement - The author is highly indebted to the late Dr. ERZSÉBET VASS and to Dr. MÓNIKA TAKÁCS (University of Horticulture, Department of Soil Science), to Dr. P. BELLÉR (University of Forestry and Timber Industry, Department of Soil Science), to Dr. L. KIRÁLY and Mr. I. VARGA (Authority for Land Evaluation, Pest County) for their help in selecting the typical profiles and in sampling. References AUROUSSEAU, P., CURMI, P. & BRESSON, L. M. (1985): Microscopy of the cambic horizon. - In: DOUGLAS, L. A. & THOMPSON, M. L. (eds): Soil Micromorpholgy and Soil Classification. Soil Science Society of America, Madison: 49-62.