Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths Front Cover; Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regoliths; Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regoliths; Copyright; Contents; List of Contributors; Preface to the First Edition; References; Preface to the Second Edition; List of Abbreviations; 1 Micromorphology as a Tool in Soil and Regolith Studies; 1. Introduction; 2. Soil and Regolith Genesis; 3. Soil and Regolith Classification; 4. Palaeopedology Quaternary Geology and Archaeology; 5. Soil Management and Other Applications; 6. Correlations Between Micromorphology and Physical Data 7. Monitoring Experimental Work and Analyses8. Evolutions in Analytical Methods; 9. Conclusions; References; 2 Colluvial and Mass Wasting Deposits; 1. Introduction; 2. General Features of Translocated Material; 3. Colluvial Deposits; 3.1 Laminated Colluvium; 3.2 Non laminated Colluvium; 3.3 Post depositional Alterations; 4. Mass Wasting Deposits; 4.1 Solifluction Deposits; 4.2 Landslides; 4.3 Debris Flow Deposits; 4.4 Grain Flow Deposits; 5. Conclusions; Acknowledgements; References; 3 Saprolites; 1. Introduction; 2. The Saprolite Profile; 3. General Micromorphological Features 4. Saprolites on Specific Lithological Rock Types4.1 Igneous Rocks; 4.1.1 Granite; 4.1.2 Diorite; 4.1.3 Gabbro; 4.1.4 Andesitic Rocks; 4.1.5 Basalt; 4.2 Metamorphic Rocks; 4.2.1 Gneiss; 4.2.2 Schists; 4.2.3 Amphibolites; 4.2.4 Serpentinite; 4.2.5 Phyllites and Slates; 4.3 Sedimentary Rocks; 4.3.1 Siliciclastic Rocks; 4.3.2 Calcareous Rocks; 5. Conclusions; References; 4 Pedoplasmation: Formation of Soil Material; 1. Introduction; 2. General Features; 3. Disappearance of the Original Rock Fabric; 4. Development of Microstructure and Porosity; 5. Other Changes 3.2.3.1 SPECKLED B FABRICS3.2.3.2 STRIATED B FABRICS; 3.2.3.3 COMPARATIVE B FABRIC STUDIES; 4. Orientation and Distribution Patterns in the Groundmass; 4.1 Basic Orientation and Distribution; 4.2 Related Distribution Between Coarse and Fine Particles; 5. Quantitative Analysis of the Groundmass; 5.1 Coarse Fraction; 5.2 b Fabric; 6. Discussion and Conclusions; Annex: Identification of Minerals; Augite ((Ca Mg Fe)2Si2O6); Biotite; Calcite (Ca(CO3)); Chlorite; Enstatite Ferrosilite; Epidote Zoisite; Garnet; Glauconite ((K Na)(Fe3+ Al Mg)2(Si Al)4O10(OH)2); Hornblende; Ilmenite (Fe2+Ti4+O3) 5.1 Changes in Grain Size Distribution5.2 Colour Homogenisation and Limpidity Changes; 5.3 Changes of the b Fabric; 6. Pedoplasmation on Carbonate Rocks; 7. Conclusions; References; 5 Groundmass Composition and Fabric; 1. Introduction; 2. Coarse Fraction; 2.1 Mineral Grains; 2.1.1 Mineralogical Composition and Internal Fabric; 2.1.2 Alteration; 2.2 Rock Fragments; 2.2.1 Identification and Occurrence; 2.2.2 Alteration; 2.3 Other Components; 3. Micromass; 3.1 Composition; 3.2 Fabric; 3.2.1 Undifferentiated b Fabrics; 3.2.2 Crystallitic b Fabrics; 3.2.3 Speckled Striated and Strial b Fabrics