Genetic Evaluation of Profile Distribution of Aluminum, Iron, and Manganese Oxides

Abstract Various methods for the extraction of pedogenic oxides of Al, Fe, and Mn are described and their applicability for interpreting soil profile genesis is demonstrated. Representative great soil groups can be differentiated by typical depth functions of the pedogenic oxides. Furthermore, intergrades between the end members, which cannot be recognized in the field, have distinctly different depth functions. As an example crypto podzolization can be recognized by a maximum of “free Al” in the subsoil. By means of these depth functions three types of imperfectly drained Gray Brown Podzolic Soils with and without lateral iron removal and with lateral iron addition may be distinguished.