Pedogenesis on the Edwards Plateau, Texas: I. Nature and Continuity of Parent Material

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Publication Date

5-1-1986

Publication Title

Soil Science Society of America Journal

Volume Number

50

Issue Number

3

Abstract

Of 15 pedons sampled on the Edwards Plateau of Texas, four were evaluated to determine the relative contribution of limestone weathering and airborne dust additions to soil formation. Although dusts were collected at measurable rates, silt grain morphology by scanning electron microscopy indicates that dusts are not accumulating on stable land surfaces. Euhedral, prismatic quartz grains were prominent components of residues from hard crystalline limestones. These grains were used as marker minerals in identifying parent material discontinuities. Quartz grain morphology, particle size distribution, elemental assay, and mineralogical data indicate lithologic discontinuities between the solum and subjacent limestone. Noncarbonate residues from petrocalcic horizons show varying degrees of similarity to the overlying sola and subjacent limestone. These soils appear to have formed from overlying limestone residuum, rather than from the underlying rock, which is different in character.

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000030027x

Language

English

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