Morphological, physical and chemical properties of aeolian sandy soils in northern China

The morphological and physico-chemical properties of four pedons representing the major aeolian sandy soils in the arid and semi-arid regions of China were studied for their potential for amelioration and utilization. The aeolian sandy soils of this area show wide variation in their morphological and physico-chemical properties as a result of differences in mean annual precipitation, parent material, vegetation and topography where they are found. The characteristics of and differences among aeolian sandy soils are described in detail. The processes forming these sandy soils are characterized by: (1) fine particle accumulation; (2) crust formation; (3) organic matter accumulation; (4) soil water physical property changes; and (5) total chemical composition changes. The four pedons are classified into four taxonomic groups, based on soil genetic theory. They are Hyperaripsamments, Aripsamments, Semiaripsamments, and Ustpsamments.