Preliminary survey of some soils from chilean altiplano near iquique

Abstract

In the Altiplano of the Iquique Province, Chile, a study was carried out for the purpose of advancing in the knowledge of the soils in the zone, to determine the soil moisture and soil temperature regimes, and to establish its taxonomic classification. In one area, at the base of the slopes of the Irruputuncu volcano, where the occurrence of lahars and the presence of moraine deposits is described, 5 soil profiles were examined morphologically and some of their chemical and physical properties were determined. Moreover, the degree of pedogenic evolution of the volcanic parent materials was assessed. The depth of the solum did not exceed 0.40 m, and the low organic carbon content, combined with the dominance of the sand fraction, determined a low water holding capacity, which hampers the development of vegetation. It was determined that the soil temperature regime is frigid and its moisture regime is ustic. None of the soils showed andic soil properties. Hence, given the limited pedogen