Chemical properties of selected soils of the Ina Valley near Sławęcin village

Abstract The research area is located in the Ina Valley of the West Pomeranian Voivods hip, along the border between two counties Choszczno and Stargard. The majority of this area is covered by the largest wetland in Western Pomerania, which is under legal protection. The aim of the study was to identify chemical properties and typological variability of organic soils of the Ina Valley. On the basis of field studies, four sites that were characterised by the main soil types occurring on the study area were designated. By the river bed, a narrow strip of alluvial, clay-organic sediments was found, from which muddy-gley soils developed. The largest part of the central valley was composed of organic low moor peat deposits, from which organic fibric-muck soils, in the third degree of decomposition, evolved. The edge of the valley, on shallow organic sediments, was covered by highly decomposed organic sapricmuck and mucky soils. The richest resources of organic matter were recorded in fibric-muck soils and the poorest in muddy-gley soils. The reaction of soils derived from peat was slightly acid or neutral and alkaline for alluvial deposits. All examined soils were characterised by a very low content of available phosphorus and potassium whereas the amount of available magnesium varied, depending on the soil subtype. Very low concentrations of available magnesium were obtained in sapric-muck and mucky soils, medium in muddy gley soils and high or very high in fibric-muck soils. Total forms of microelements were present in considerable quantities and a very high share of available potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium in relation to total forms, in fibric-muck soil, attracts attention. In the case of other soil subtypes, only a high share of available calcium is observed.