Mineralogical investigation of soils formed in calcareous gravelly alluvium, eastern Crete, Greece
- Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ (United States)
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Univ. of Knoxville, TN (United States)
The mineralogical composition of soils along a toposequence formed on Quaternary-aged alluvium from the northeastern portion of the island of Crete, Greece, and the examination of their mineral weathering characteristics should help provide an insight into the stage of weathering and relative age of the soils. Four soils were described and sampled from three landscape positions along the toposequence and the clay and silt fractions from all horizons of each soil were examined using a combination of x-ray diffraction and electron microprobe techniques. Coarse and fine silt fractions from each soil contained dolomite, calcite, quartz, feldspars, mica, and chlorite. Feldspar content generally decreased with depth, whereas calcite increased with depth. Minerals identified in the silt fractions resulted from a combination of physical and chemical weathering and possible eolian additions. Clay fractions were dominated by trioctahedral ferrous chlorite and dioctahedral mica (muscovite), with minor amounts of kaolinite, quartz, dolomite, and calcite. Goethite was also identified in the clay fraction of some soil horizons. The source of the phyllosilicates was inheritance from phyllite gravels in the alluvium and chemical dissolution of the dolostone releasing entrained clay minerals. Some portion of the kaolinite in surface horizons was probably the result of eolian additions. All evidence suggests that these soils are still in the initial stages of weathering. 40 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 200400
- Journal Information:
- Soil Science Society of America Journal, Journal Name: Soil Science Society of America Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 60; ISSN 0361-5995; ISSN SSSJD4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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