Sorption properties of lithogenic soils from non-forest areas of the Tatra National Park

Investigations have been carried out on the soil material taken from 46 profiles representing lithogenic soils from non-forest areas of the Tatra National Park. When selecting soil material an altitude above sea level (over 1250 m a.s.l.), a rock parent type (non-calcareous and calcareous) were taken into account, in case of non calcerous soils, the weakly developed soils - rankers were selected. On the basis of the investigetions the following conclusions have been drawn: sorption properties of ectohumus horizons in most of investigated lithogenic soils (rankers and rendzinas) are differ- enciated and formed under the influence of parent rocks. Ectohumus of Oh horizons of rankers sorbed exchangeable cations in following order H+>Ca2+≥Mg2+>K+>Na+. In composition of cations in Oh horizons of rendzinas dominated cations of calcium and the order was as follows: Ca2+>Mg2+>H+>K+≥Na+. In ectohumus of Oh horizons of rendzinas occurring under bilberry heath and pine dwarf and rankers the composition of exchangeable ions as well as a degree of base saturation were close. In investigated soils sorption properties of mineral or organic-mineral horizons AC or ABC, occurring in direct contact with the parent rock, were formed under the influence of lithogenic factor.