Soils in regions of Andean Arid Climate 

 Soils in regions of Andean Arid Climate
  

In July, I made a trip to Bolivia and Peru, and I came across totally adverse and unusual landscapes and weather. The dry climate at this time of year and the altitude transforms the landscape into a beautiful desert surrounded by mountains with snowy peaks.

                                  (Mariana Franco de Carvalho 07/2012)

But what interests us here is to observe one aspect of the Andean landscape, which immediately catches our eye, the desert soil. As a didactic example, I will take as an example, the city of Arequipa in Peru. Arequipa is located at the foot of the Misti volcano (with more than 5800 m of altitude) its urban site is close to the Coastal Desert of Peru, with maximum annual temperature not exceeding 23ºC and minimum low temperature of 6ºC. Average annual rainfall does not exceed 96.5 mm per year. Between April and October, rainfall is very low with averages of 0.5mm, and in July this index is 0. Arequipa, which is situaded in soil formed by wind, alluvial river deposits and glacial fluvial deposits. To the east we have a site with volcanic rocks and to the west an area of ​​Granitic and Diorite soil.(http://eusoils.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esdb_archive/eudasm/latinamerica/lists/all_y3.htm)

The formation of each type of soil is conditioned by the natural and specific characteristics of each landscape (LEPSCH. I, F. 1995). Therefore, what we find in this region, are typical soils of arid climate, such as Solonchaks (Gleissolos Sálicos), Solonetz (Nátricos Planossolos), which are characterized by high concentrations of soluble salts, Gypsisois, Calcisois and Durinsois, with accumulation of salts poorly soluble as calcium carbonate (gypsum and calcite) (LEPSCH. I,F. 1995).

                                    (Mariana Franco de Carvalho 07/2012)

The low annual rainfall and high evaporation, associated with high soil saline concentrations, means that vegetation in these places is very scarce. Despite this, due to the privileged location of the region in an area of ​​volcanism (between 3 large volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu), thick layers of volcanic lava have been created covering large areas, forming a soil rich in minerals (Arequipa means "White city" due to the color of the volcanic lava used in city buildings).

That's it for today, I hope you enjoyed it!


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