Podzol chronosequences on coastal dunes of eastern Australia

Abstract

Chronosequences of freely drained podzols, formed in extensive dune systems of quartz sands along the east coast of Australia, offer unique opportunities for comparing temporal changes in different climatic zones during the late Quarternary. The largest areas and greatest number of dune systems occur along the subtropical coast near Brisbane. Here parts of six dune systems have not been covered by younger deposits and have been exposed to weathering since deposition. These areas constitute a relative age sequence on which podzols have formed with solum depths varying with age from <1 m to >20 m. Absolute ages for each system have not been determined but differences in erosion and weathering depths and comparisons with dated dunes elsewhere along the coast indicate an age sequence extending back at least to the last interglacial. Similarities in geomorphology and soils enable correlation with dune systems in other areas to the north and south and so provide a greater potential for examining temporal changes in soils and biological systems than that of previous soil chronosequences^1–5.