Cryosols from Tundra and Taiga Zones of Yakutia: Properties, Clay Mineralogy, and Problems of Classification

— Data on major properties and clay mineralogy in the profiles of slightly differentiated Cryosols forming in cold ultracontinental climate of Yakutia are discussed. The particular objects are represented by the cryozems of tundra, forest-tundra, and northern taiga of the Anabar and Alazeya plateaus and by the palevaya (pale) soil of middle taiga in Central Yakutia. The differentiation of clay minerals in the vertical soil profiles is poorly pronounced because of the strong homogenizing impact of cryoturbation processes. The profile of pale soil displays minor differences in clay mineralogy despite the strong difference in acid–base conditions of the upper and lower horizons. However, the obtained data suggest that mineral weathering in pale soils of Central Yakutia is more advanced than it was concluded in the 1970s on the basis of data on the absence of pronounced trends in the vertical distribution of clay minerals in their profiles. This is in good agreement with the presence of a sufficiently thick upper humus horizon in these soils, which is typical of the soils of more humid regions. It is suggested that pale soils of Central Yakutia should be classified as soddy pale soils.