IMPACT OF RELICT ICE-WEDGE POLYGONS ON MODERN SOIL SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION

The occurence and distribution of relict permafrost features is poorly uderstood and documneted in the mid-continent, especially in glaciated landscapes. The impact of these processes on modern soil distribution is even more poorly understood. This presentation will focus on the occurence of relict ice-wedge polygons and their impact on moderin soil dostribution in the mid-continent. Field evidence will focus on the spatial distribution of modern sois in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Emphasis will be placed on the distribution and occurence of sodium affected soils in south central Illinois and their relationships to relict ice-wedge polygoms..