Formation of sandy anthropogenic soils in NW Europe: identification of inputs based on particle size distribution

Anthropogenic sandy soils in Scotland, Denmark and The Netherlands were studied to determine the extent to which they had been influenced by inputs of materials and current land management. Particle size distribution, pH, loss on ignition, ECEC, base saturation and total P were determined for eight profiles under different land uses (arable, meadow and woodland). Inputs of materials were identified by comparison of particle size distributions of the deepened cultivated horizons with those of parent materials. At all three sites turf derived from local sources was the main input though there were other mineral additions including an aeolian component. Overall, the anthropogenic soils are remarkably similar in field and some analytical properties, though land use has influenced pH, base saturation and total P.