Late Holocene soil processes and the first evidence for ferruginous rhizoconcretions in cool subpolar environments of the Faroe Islands

ABSTRACTThe Faroe Islands are characterized by high rates of Holocene geomorphological activity and demonstrable vegetation change, including substantial peat formation. Pedogenesis, especially in the late Holocene, is less well known. Numerous ferruginous rhizoconcretions consisting predominantly of Fe-oxyhydroxides were identified in loam and silty sands in Soltuvik on the island of Sandoy, dated prior to AD 1000. Their formation is related to intensive podzolization and they take the form of the source woody vegetation. The sub-fossil material represents the first evidence for ferruginous rhizoconcretions in the Faroese archipelago.