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<\/p>\nPodzols are acidic soils naturally occurring in humid areas, where precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. During the podzolization process, labile elements and metals such as aluminum and iron are leached from surface horizons and travel downwards together with soluble organic compounds.\u00a0 These leached substances accumulate in the subsoil, forming what is called illuvial horizons.<\/p>\n
Illuvial horizons are rich in organic matter and disordered, highly reactive mineral phases such as imogolite (a poorly crystalline silicate) and ferrihydrite (a poorly crystalline oxide). This reactive mineralogy imparts specific and interesting properties to podzols, such as a high carbon sequestration potential and abnormal nutrient retention capacity.<\/p>\n
Our research project is centered around three questions:<\/p>\n
(1) What are the fundamental soil-forming processes leading to the development of illuvial horizons?
\n(2) How do anthropogenic perturbations, such as forest harvest or conversion to agricultural use, affect the podzolisation process?
\n(3) What are the environmental consequences of these perturbations, specifically on organic matter dynamics and nutrient availability?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A podzol from the Fontainebleau forest, France<\/em><\/p>\n Active project members<\/strong><\/p>\n Stephanie Grand (project lead) Relevant publications<\/strong><\/p>\n Grand S, Lavkulich LM (2015) Short-range order mineral phases control the distribution of important macronutrients in coarse-textured forest soils of coastal Brisith Columbia, Canada. Plant and Soil<\/em> 390: 77-93. Doi: 10.1007\/s11104-014-2372-6<\/p>\n Grand S, Hudson R, Lavkulich LM (2014) Effects of forest harvest on soil nutrients and labile ions in Podzols of southwestern Canada: Mean and dispersion effects. Catena<\/em> 122: 18-26. Doi: 10.1016\/j.catena.2014.06.004<\/p>\n Grand S, Lavkulich LM (2013) Potential influence of poorly crystalline minerals on soil chemistry in Podzols of southwestern Canada. European Journal of Soil Science <\/em>64: 651-660. Doi: 10.1111\/ejss.12062<\/p>\n Grand S, Lavkulich LM (2012) Effects of forest harvest on soil carbon and related variables in Canadian Spodosols. Soil Science Society of America Journal<\/em> 76: 1816-1827. Doi: 10.2136\/sssaj2012.0103<\/p>\n Grand S, Lavkulich LM (2011) Depth distribution and predictors of soil organic carbon in Podzols of a forested watershed in southwestern Canada. Soil Science <\/em>176: 164-174. Doi: 10.1097\/SS.0b013e3182128671<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Podzols are acidic soils naturally occurring in humid areas, where precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. During the podzolization process, labile elements and metals such as aluminum and iron are leached from surface horizons and travel downwards together with soluble organic compounds.\u00a0 These leached substances accumulate in the subsoil, forming what is called illuvial horizons. Illuvial horizons are … <\/p>\n
\n\u00c9ric Verrecchia
\nDavid Sebag
\nAna\u00efs Fayolle
\nValentine Turberg<\/p>\n