Trace elements in the Al-Fe-humus podzolization process

An analysis has been made of current concepts of the concentrations and the profile distribution of trace elements in podzolic Al-Fe-humus soils widely spread in northern regions. The use of analytical techniques unusual for soil science (epithermal neutron activation analysis) made it possible to determine very low concentrations of elements at a high significance level. The comparison was made of trends in the profile distribution of macro- and micro- (trace) elements. The idea of equifinality was considered for the chemical composition of soils studied.