Soil Formation

Description

Soil Formation deals with qualitative and quantitative aspects of soil formation (or pedogenesis) and the underlying chemical, biological, and physical processes. The starting point of the text is the process - and not soil classification. Effects of weathering and new formation of minerals, mobilisation, transport, and breakdown or immobilisation of dissolved and suspended compounds are discussed. Soil processes and profiles are discussed in relation to the landscape, the geosphere, and the biosphere. Emphasis lies on the universality of soil-forming processes in past and present, and on the soil as a dynamic entity that forms part of the total environment. Complexity of genetic processes in time and space is given much attention. The text gives many examples from literature and places some in a new light. The reader is guided through the subject matter by a large number of questions and problems to help understand and synthesis the material. Answers to all questions are included. This second edition has been updated to reflect recent discoveries. Printing errors have been corrected, and new photographs support the text. Front Matter....Pages 1-6 Why Soil Genesis?....Pages 7-12 Front Matter....Pages 13-14 Soil Physical Processes....Pages 15-40 Soil Chemical Processes....Pages 41-81 Biological Processes in Soils....Pages 83-120 Front Matter....Pages 121-122 Studying Soil Profiles....Pages 123-140 Organic Surface Horizons....Pages 141-158 Hydromorphic Soils....Pages 159-192 Textural Differentiation....Pages 193-214 Formation of Calcic, Gypsiferous, and Saline Soils....Pages 215-244 Formation of Vertisols....Pages 245-256 Podzolisation....Pages 257-284 Formation of Andisols....Pages 285-306 Ferralitisation....Pages 307-328 Dense and Cemented Horizons: Fragipan, Duripan, and Tepetate....Pages 329-344 Analysing Genetically Complex Situations....Pages 345-364