Soil formation in swamp soils of the coastal fringe of Surinam

Abstract

This paper presents data on the sedimentation processes along the Surinam coast, the resulting deposits and soil formation in the young Holocene marine clay soils.

Along the Surinam coast two types of materials were observed: fine-textured (clay) and coarse-textured materials (sand and shells). They originate from different sources, are transported along different ways and are deposited separately.

Three types of coasts were distinguished: an erosional, a sand accretionary and a mud accretionary coast. Behind the erosional coast and the sand accretionary one salt pans may develop with a sparse vegetation and impervious stiff clays. Behind a mud accretionary coast a brackish water swamp generally developes, which may be nearly always inundated or periodically dry. In the wet swamps an accumulation of pyrite occurs, but little or no oxidative soil formation. In the periodically dry swamps the accumulation of the pyrite is alternated by oxidative soil formation and compaction.

Ultimately four groups of soils were recognized which differ from each other in acidity and permeability and consequently have different agricultural potentialities.