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Soil Genesis Study of a Lithologic Discontinuity in Glacial Drift in Western Wisconsin
Author(s) -
Foss J. E.,
Rust R. H.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1968.03615995003200030036x
Subject(s) - geology , weathering , lithology , paleosol , loess , horizon , sedimentary rock , geochemistry , paleozoic , deposition (geology) , soil water , mineralogy , geomorphology , soil science , sediment , physics , astronomy
A study was made of soils developed in superposed parent materials in St. Croix and Pierce counties, Wisconsin. A typical stratigraphic sequence in this area consists of: (i) post‐Cary loess, (ii) Cary till or mixed zone (14,000 years B.P.), (iii) Rockian till (30,000 years B.P.), and (iv) Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. The Cary drift is thin over much of the uplands in this area; thus, current soil profiles are developed in both the Cary and Rockian drifts. Morphological data indicate the presence of a paleosol on the Rockian till. This was substantiated by various physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. Characteristics of the paleosol include the accumulation of clay in the B horizon, translocated iron, and a strongly leached solum. The CaO/ZrO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 /ZrO 2 molar ratios of selected size fractions also indicate a weathering interval between deposition of the Cary and Rockian sediments. Clay‐mineral analyses showed variation in lithology and weathering of the drifts.