Stoops G. Interpretation of Micromorphological Features 2ed 2018

Textbook in PDF format

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.
Micromorphology as a tool in soil and regolith studies
Colluvial and mass wasting deposits
Saprolites
Pedoplasmation: formation of soil material
Groundmass composition and fabric
Pedogenic siliceous features
Biogenic siliceous features
Authigenic silicate minerals – sepiolite-palygorskite, zeolites and sodium silicates
Calcium carbonate features
Gypsic features
Salt minerals in saline soils and salt crusts
Phosphatic features
Sulphidic and sulphuric materials
Textural pedofeatures and related horizons
Redoximorphic features
Features related to faunal activity
Soil organic matter
Organo-mineral surface horizons
Physical and biological surface crusts and seals
Frost action
Spodic materials
Oxic and related materials
Lateritic and bauxitic materials
Regoliths and soils on volcanic ash
Anthropogenic features
Archaeological materials
Palaeosoils and relict soils, a conceptual approach
Palaeosoils and relict soils, a systematic review
Micromorphological features and their relation to processes and classification