Illuviation in a sandy loam texture horizon
4Ct Horizon from a calcic cutanic Luvisol. Thin section C7-7.
Micromorphological features
After browsing these images you should have found, at least, the following characteristics
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Sands of: C, quartz; Fk, K-rich feldspar (orthoclase); Mc, microcline; Pl, plagioclase; M, moscovite; Q, quartzite. Gravels of: gQ, quartzite. p, voids; A, clay cotings (clay films). Left side image only with poloarizer, the one on the right side with crossed nicols. |
Imperfections of these thin sections
Obtaining thin sections from such a heterogeneous material (the soil), is a very complex and arduos task; thus, microscopic preparations usually include some imperfections, just as in the examples below, that must be recognized so that they are not confused with soil features.
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The anisotropy of the inclusion resin of this thin section appears after a series of irregularities situated preferably over the mineral grains. | ||
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In some cases, the mineral grains can detach while sanding and smoothing down the thin section, thus, exihibiting a large relief. |
Soil data
Morphology, phisical and chemical analysis
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This soil was studied by Pilar Alonso Rojo in her PhD Thesis "Cronosecuencias de suelos en la cuenca del rio Tormes". Salamanca. 1989.