Renata Bednarek

Paleopedological studies of the age and properties of illuvial bands at an archaeological site

Abstract The age and properties of illuvial bands in sandy soils were determined using archaeological and radiocarbon methods at a neolithic archaeological site at Opatowice (Kujawy, central Poland). The results indicate that the formation of illuvial bands started not earlier than the beginning of the Subboreal period (4800-4700 BP). These bands cannot be treated as relics from the end of the Vistulian (Wisconsinan) glaciation as is suggested by some authors. The paleopedological analyses show that the illuvial bands were formed by pedogenic processes (a peculiar kind of lessivage).

Genesis and classification of the soils developed from the sediments of the former Oleszek mill pond basin (the Chełmińskie Lakeland, N Poland) / Geneza i pozycja systematyczna gleb wykształconych z osadów niecki dawnego stawu młyńskiego Oleszek (Pojezierze Chełmińskie)

Abstract Construction and operation of water mills had influenced the transformation of the relief and water conditions, as well as the soil cover around them. The study area includes the former Oleszek mill pond basin, located near the Borówno village, western part of the Chełmińskie Lakeland, about 20 km northeast of Toruń. The objective of the study was to determine the genesis of the soils developed from the Oleszek mill pond basin sediments. Five soil profiles were selected in the basin of the former mill pond, within the 550 m transect located along the Struga Rychnowska river. All of the analysed soils developed from the sediments filling the former mill pond basin. They have been developed as a result of a number of overlapping processes such as mud-forming, alluvial, colluvial and gleyic process. According to the Polish classification system (Classification of Polish Soils 2011) (CPS) two of the soils (profiles 3 and 4) derived from organo-mineral and organic materials are typical organic limnic soils. Systematic position of another two soils (2 and 5) was proposed as muddy soils. Due to the problems of classification of such soils, implementation of the muddy soils or muddy-gleyic soils subtypes (in Polish: gleby mułowate lub mułowato-glejowe) should be considered during developing of the next update of Classification of Polish Soils. These four profiles were classified as Histosols (profiles 3 and 4) and Gleysols (profiles 2 and 5) in WRB (2014). Pedons developed from alluvial materials (alluvial soils in CPS 2011 or Fluvic Phaeozems in WRB 2014) occurred in the proximal part of the basin. Streszczenie Budowa i funkcjonowanie młynów wodnych znacznie wpłynęły na przekształcenie środowiska przyrodniczego w ich otoczeniu, przede wszystkim na zmiany rzeźby terenu i warunków wodnych. Obszar badañ obejmuje nieckę dawnego stawu młyńskiego Oleszek w okolicach wsi Borówno, w zachodniej części Pojezierza Chełmińskiego, około 20 km na północny wschód od Torunia. Celem badañ było określenie genezy gleb wykształconych z osadów zakumulowanych w niecce dawnego stawu młyńskiego Oleszek. Pięć profili glebowych w transekcie o długości około 550 m zlokalizowanym wzdłuż Strugi Rychnowskiej stanowiącej oś podłużną niecki. Wszystkie przeanalizowane gleby zbudowane są z osadów wypełniających nieckę dawnego stawu młyńskiego. Gleby w opisywanej niecce powstały w wyniku wielu nakładających się procesów, takich jak: proces mułotwórczy, aluwialny, koluwialny oraz glejowy. Dwa z analizowanych profili glebowych (profile 3 i 4) spełniaj¹ kryteria wydzielania gleb organicznych limnowych typowych (Systematyka gleb Polski 2011). Jako pozycję systematyczną kolejnych dwóch gleb (profile 2 i 5) zaproponowano gleby mułowate. W związku z problemami klasyfikacyjnymi dotyczącymi tego typu gleb, przy opracowaniu aktualizacji Systematyki gleb Polski należałoby wprowadzić w typie gleb glejowych podtyp gleb mułowatych lub mułowato-glejowych, obejmuj¹cy gleby wytworzone z mineralno-organicznych utworów aluwialno-mułowych. Cztery wymienione powyżej profile zostały zaklasyfikowane jako Histosols (3 i 4) i Gleysols (2 i 5) według klasyfikacji WRB (2014). Jednostki glebowe wykształcone z osadów aluwialnych (mady wg SgP 2011 lub Fluvic Phaeozems wg WRB 2014) występują w proksymalnej części stawu (cofce).

Issues related to classification of garden soils from the urban area of Toruń, Poland

ABSTRACT Nowadays, the city area of Toruń is dominated by anthropogenic and technogenic soils – developed by humans or significantly altered, mainly disturbed in terms of morphology and chemical and physical properties. This study is a continuation of research on the soil cover of the city. The aim of the presented study is to assess extent of garden soils in the city and characterize its properties on the base of five soil profiles in four exemplary gardens in Toruń and evaluate if they meet the classification criteria for Hortic Anthrosols according to World Reference Base (WRB) for Soil Resources. Within the administrative boundaries of the city, 66 allotment gardens are located which totally cover an area of more than 300 ha. They occupy 3% of the city area. None of the studied mineral surface horizons meets the criteria for hortic horizon according to WRB 2015, due to too low phosphorus content. Other hortic criteria were fulfilled. The research on classification issues of garden soils should be continued on larger scale to evaluate if WRB criteria are not too strict taking into account the features of most typical, few decade-old garden soils.

Geochemical assessment of soils in the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof (Northern Poland)

Abstract The record of changes in the environment caused by techno- and anthropopressure is undoubtedly reflected in soil morphology and properties. Scientific information regarding the chemical composition of soils in genocide areas is limited. The aim of this investigation is the assessment of the geochemistry of soils of the German Nazi concentration camp in Stutthof. The Stutthof concentration camp was located on the periphery of the Vistula Spit in northern Poland, and was in operation from 1939 to 1945 during World War II. A total of 65,000 people died as a result of exterminating living conditions as well as executions. Forty-five soil sampling points were selected in various parts of the camp. Total phosphorus, organic matter and arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe) and mercury (Hg) contents were determined. It has been observed that the mean on-site concentrations of all trace elements were generally higher than their background. The reason for enrichment was heavy techno- and anthropopressure caused by extreme density of prisoners during the time when the camp operated. The soils of the German Nazi Stutthof concentration camp have clearly been transformed due to mass killing of a large number of human beings. Such a relation is clearly evidenced by the elevated phosphorus content.