Soil chemical and physical property data for Green Lakes Valley, 1982 - 1983.

The genesis and water chemistry of two soil catenas and mineralogy of eolian dust were studied to evaluate the capacity of these soils to buffer acid conditions. Field and laboratory analyses of 50 soil pits and three eolian dust traps indicated that the surface horizons are mainly eolian dust accumulation and the subsurface horizons differed in texture, organic carbon percentage, bulk density, pH, concentration of soluble and exchangeable ions, dissolved organic carbon, and distribution and concentration of clay materials. The chemistry and mineralogy of the eolian dust resemble those of the surface horizons. Calcite, which increases soil buffering capacity, was found in the eolian dust. The eolian calcite probably comes from western Colorado, where limestone exposures are common. This natural liming process may reduce effects of acid rain on the aquatic system.

本研究以两条土壤链（soil catenas）的发生特征与水化学特征，以及风成粉尘（eolian dust）的矿物学特征为研究对象，旨在评估此类土壤缓冲酸性条件的能力。通过对50个土壤剖面坑（soil pits）与3个风尘收集器开展野外与室内分析，结果表明：土壤表层发生层主要由风成粉尘堆积而成，亚表层发生层则在土壤质地、有机碳占比、容重、pH值、可溶性与交换性离子浓度、溶解性有机碳含量，以及黏土矿物的分布与浓度等方面均存在显著差异。风成粉尘的化学与矿物学特征与土壤表层发生层高度相似。研究在风尘沉积物中发现了方解石（calcite），该矿物可提升土壤的缓冲酸性能力。此类风成方解石大概率源自石灰岩露头广泛分布的科罗拉多州西部。这一天然石灰化过程或可减轻酸雨对水生生态系统的负面影响。