Spatial differentiation of soil properties along the Southern coast of Bellsund, Spitsbergen

The paper shows the influence of geographical conditions on soil chemical properties along the southern coast of Bellsund in Spitsbergen. Soils of the western part of the Bellsund Coast, situated closer to the ocean, have been affected by more favourable climatic conditions (mainly humidity) compared with the soils of the eastern part. This is reflected by a more intense plant cover in the western part. The soils situated to the west of Kapp Lyell show an almost twice higher humus content, a higher content of mobile fulvic acids and a lower pH. These properties account for increased leaching of carbonate and alkaline cations from the soils, which results in a lower Ca2+ and Mg2+ cation saturation of the soil sorption complex.