The influence of aeolian dust deposits on alpine soils in south-eastern Australia

Abstract

Aeolian sediment collected from 2 locations across the ‘Main Range’ of Kosciuszko National Park, along with a series of soil profiles that were analysed for particle size, were used as a baseline from which to estimate the effects of aeolian sedimentation in this region. Laboratory analysis of the soil profiles indicated that the properties of the surface horizons of the alpine humus soils were heavily influenced by aeolian dust accumulation; however, the sub-surface horizons were mainly derived from the natural bedrock. The surface and subsurface horizons differed in texture bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable cations, and clay mineralogy. This study confirmed that the snow patch meadow soils exhibited particle size and mineralogy consistent with dust enrichment, with distinct bands being found in some profiles.