Statistical analyses of chemical and physical properties of alluvial soils in the Belaya river valley (Near-Angara region) and its interpretation

Abstract

The aim of the study: to describe chemical and physical properties of alluvial soils using a big array of data.

Location and time of the study. The study was carried out in the Belaya River valley from 1993 to 2019.

Methodology. The data of 237 soil samples collected from genetic horizons of alluvial soils from the Belaya River Valley (52º40'–53º00'N, 103º00'–104º00'E, Priangariye, Russia) were statistically processed by using descriptive statistics, cluster and correlation analyses. To perform statistical analyses soil samples were grouped according to their humus content:  all horizons, all humus horizons, all non-humus horizons.

Main results. Most of the horizons were characterized as slightly alkaline, sandy loam, medium humus ones. The positive relationship between exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ is due to their joint presence in parent rock material, i.e. dolomite. Cluster analysis allowed identifying groups of horizons (for example, mineral and mineral-organogenic), sharply differing in properties.

Conclusion. The presented chemical and physical properties of alluvial soils described using a big array of soil samples, can be used as a reference for monitoring their change in the future due to various natural and anthropogenic factors.