Soil microbial ecology of Valley of 10,000 Smokes, Alaska
Cameron RE. 1970. Soil microbial ecology of Valley of 10,000 Smokes, Alaska. Journal of the Arizona Academy of Science. 6(1):11-40
This report provides details on the soil microbial ecology of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, discussing the abundance and distribution of the microflora in terms of certain environmental conditions, especially soil properties. Twelve soil samples were collected from 10 sites in the 1960s and sent to the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Soil Science Unit for processing and analyses. Physical, chemical, and microbial determinations were made and correlations drawn. The abundance of chemical elements and general groups of microflora for each sample are given. In summary, soil porosity is high; soil density and specific gravity are low; pH-Eh values indicate an acidic environment; electrical conductivity and related osmotic pressure values are exceptionally low; soil carbon content is generally insignificant; extractable ion percentages are generally extremely low, but soluble aluminum concentrations were exceptionally high and could be toxic; and soils generally did not have as much organic matter as typical desert soils. The abundance, distribution, and kinds of microflora encountered were described as being consistent with the environment. A discussion is provided on the ecological implication of the microflora in a unique terrestrial "desert".
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cameron, Roy
- Units
- KATM
- Keywords
- Algae, Ecology, Katmai National Park And Preserve, Microflora, Minerals, Mt. Katmai quadrangle B-4, Plants, Soil Chemistry, Soils, Valley Of Ten Thousand Smokes, Vegetation