Sustainable forestry and iron compounds in karstic soils: qualitative and semi-quantitative results focused on the occurrence of Fe-compounds on mineral particles

Abstract

Relic karstic soils in nine localities in the Dinaric Karst in Slovenia, five localities in the Moravian Karst and four localities in the Bohemian Karst were sampled for soil scientific, mineralogical and petrological studies focused on the presentation of descriptive aspects of particular iron compounds. The macroscopy and microscopy of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ compounds were determined and an interpretation of these data was performed aimed at describing sources and their palaeotransports. The presented results show that the studied karstic soils have a heterogeneous petrographical and mineralogical composition when, depending on circumstances, hematite does not dominate and goethite prevails over it or it is an opposite. Results from the chosen methods reinforce sources of the new materials as the crucial factor for the studied karstic soils.

Late Pleistocene lacustrine sediments and their relation to red soils in the Northeastern margin of the Dinaric Karst

“…So-called Plio-Quaternary red and brown loam is only preserved in patches in other parts of the low karst of Dolenjska (Buser 1974;Markič 2009). While some researchers considered red clays to be a type of freshwater deposit (Buser 1974;Pleničar & Premru 1977), the others described them as in situ or partly re-deposited weathering products on carbonate rocks (Gregorič 1969;Gams 2004;Rejšek et al 2012).…”

“…Their origin and relationship to underlying carbonates and existing karst relief has been, and still is, the subject of discussion. Different opinions were related to the nature of parent material and origin of the red soils (terra rossa; Gregorič 1969;Gams & Vrišer 1998;Rejšek et al 2012). Terra rossa-type red soils are composed of reddish clayey to silty material covering karst landscapes in hot/warm climates such as those in the Mediterranean part of Dinaric Karst.…”

“…Although "reddish-brown soils" form a distinctive feature of the Dinaric karst landscapes, no integrated study has been performed in the Dolenjska region; their source has been still unknown as well. Based on few analyses, Gregorič (1969) and Rejšek et al (2012) interpreted them as in situ or partly re-deposited weathering products covering carbonate rocks. In addition, also relatively homogenous yellowish sands laterally and vertically alternate with clayey material or fill irregularities of karst surface (mainly subcutaneous shafts and karren; e.g., Habič 1992;Zupan Hajna 1992; in the same regions (see Otoničar et al 2006).…”