Geochemical characteristics of soil horizoms in a Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) forest near Cox Bay, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Rare earth elements (REE) total concentration and signature in soils are known to be impacted by successive soil-forming processes. So it can be used as probe of soil processes. However, few studies focus on their behavior in Podzols. Podzols result from the combination of two main pedogenic processes: (1) the strong weathering in the surface eluvial horizon; (2) the downward transfer of dissolved organic matter (OM) and mobile Al and Fe, and their accumulation in the illuvial horizon beneath. Iron oxides and OM are known to have strong affinities with REE, and to play an important role in transfer and immobilization of REE. In order to decipher the relative importance of Fe oxide and OM in REE fate during podzolization, and to investigate whether REE can trace Podzol formation, we study here the evolution of REE signatures along five pedons, aged from 120 to 530 years, in a Cambisol-Podzol chronosequence located in the Cox Bay of Vancouver Island. Our results show that the REE content is strongly correlated to the general loss of elements and mineral weathering. Furthermore, the accumulation of secondary OM, Al and Fe-bearing phases does not impact the REE signature of the bulk soil. Both our results and the ones available in the literature indicate that the release of REE induced by weathering and subsequent leaching in percolating water are the main pathways determining the REE fate in Podzols. Furthermore, we show that REE can be released and mobilized in very short periods of time during podzolization (330 years).