Abstract:

Chemical analysis shows remarkable chemical weathering effects in the soils at Fildes Peninsula of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Comparing with the bedrock, the elements of SiO2, Al2Og, Fe2O, FeO3, MgO, CaO and Na2O have been eluviated and K2O, H2O+, H2O-, TiO2 and P2O5 enriched. The average ratio of SiO2/Al2O3 is 4.71 which show a weak chemical wearhering property of the soils and the ratio of SiO2 / A12O3 also suggest that the longer the weathering processes take place, the deeper the weathering level in the soils is. The chemical weathering processes at Fildes Peninsula are greater than that of Antarctic Continent. The eluviating rate of Al2O3 is greater than SiO2 so that the SiO2 /A12O3 increases from base to top in a soil profile at Antarctica. The chemical proportion in soils are greatly dependented on the bed rock by which they develop. The strong cryo-disturbance. destroy the horizons of the soil. The high content of HO2+ and H2O- shows significant hydration in the soils at Antarctica.