Soil Formation and Mass Redistribution during the Holocene Using Meteoric 10Be, Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy

Soil development and erosion are important opposing processes in the evolution of high-mountainous landscapes, though their dynamics not fully understood. We compared soil between a calcareous siliceous chronosequence central Swiss Alps at high altitudes, which both cover formation over Holocene. calculated element mass balances, long-term rates based on meteoric 10Be we determined formation. also analyzed shifts mineralogical composition, weathering indices, particle size distribution, carbon stocks oxalate extractable Fe, Al, Mn. The soils had chemical early stage that strongly decreased after few millennia. was characterized by carbonate losses shift to finer texture. hampered upbuilding horizons stages development, led delay vegetation development. This study shows how drivers change time. In parent material predominantly drives while later becomes more dominant as it influences surface stability, hydrological pathways, determine water drainage retention.