Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regoliths

Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regoliths, Second Edition, provides researchers and students with a tool for interpreting features observed in soil thin sections and through submicroscopic studies. After an introduction and general overview, micromorphological aspects of regoliths (e.g., saprolites, transported materials) are highlighted, followed by a systematic and coherent discussion of the micromorphological expression of various pedogenic processes. The book is written by an international team of experts in the field, using a uniform set of concepts and terminology, making it a valuable interdisciplinary reference work.

The following topics are treated: freeze-thaw features, redoximorphic features, calcareous and gypsiferous formations, textural features, spodic and oxic horizons, volcanic materials, organic matter, surface horizons, laterites, surface crusts, salt minerals, biogenic and pedogenic siliceous materials, other authigenic silicates, phosphates, sulphidic and sulphuric materials, and features related to faunal activity. The last chapters address anthropogenic features,archaeological materials and palaeosoils.

Updates the first exhaustive publication on interpretation of micromorphological features, with some new chapters and with a larger number of additional referencesCovers related topics, making micromorphology more attractive and accessible for geomorphologists, archaeologists and quaternary geologists Includes thematic treatment of a range of soil micromorphology fields and broadens its applicationsFeatures input from a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring thorough coverage of topics related to soil science, archaeology and geomorphology

1. Micromorphology as a tool in soil and regolith studies 2. Collovial And Mass Wasting Deposits 3. Saprolites 4. Pedoplasmation: formation of soil material 5. Fabric and composition of the groundmass 6. Pedogenic siliceous features 7. Biogenic siliceous features 8. Authigenic silicate minerals – sepiolite-palygorskite, zeolites and sodium silicates 9. Calcium carbonate features 10. Gypsic features 11. Salt minerals in saline soils and salt crusts 12. Phosphatic features 13. Sulphidic and sulphuric materials 14. Textural pedofeatures and related horizons 15. Redoximorphic features 16. Features related to faunal activity 17. Organic matter 18. Topsoils 19. Physical and biological surface crusts 20. Frost action 21. Vertic features 22. Spodic materials 23. Oxic and related materials 24. Lateritic and bauxitic materials 25. Regoliths and soils on volcanic ash 26. Anthropogenic features 27. Archaeological materials 28. Palaeosoils and relict soils, a conceptual approach 29. Palaeosoils and relict soils, a systematic review 30. Micromorphological Features and their relation to processes and clarification