Soil studies of the Ross Sea Region 1959-2009

Antarctic soils have been investigated in the Ross Sea Region for 50 years. The cumulative studies have resulted in a large literature base of knowledge on various subjects on the soils from various areas throughout the Ross Sea Region. Studies have included soil surveys and profile investigations into soil temperature and moisture measurements, soil chemistry analysis, salt deposits and origin of salts in soils, moraine studies, the history of glaciation through soil studies, degree of weathering on the soils, examination of permafrost properties and the effects of climate change on permafrost and soil properties and waterloss and the effects of human disturbance and contamination on soils. Soil samples are catalogued and stored in the Ross Sea Region Soils Database, held by Landcare Research, New Zealand, and at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), New Zealand.