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Eolian Influence on Development and Weathering of Some Soils of Point Reyes Peninsula, California
Author(s) -
Crawford T. W.,
Whittig L. D.,
Begg E. L.,
Huntington G. L.
Publication year - 1983
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/sssaj1983.03615995004700060024x
Subject(s) - aeolian processes , weathering , geology , silt , transect , geochemistry , soil water , loam , vermiculite , geomorphology , mineralogy , soil science , paleontology , oceanography
Wind‐deposited sands have influenced characteristics of soils on Tomales Point at the northern end of Point Reyes Peninsula in California. The distribution of eolian materials, the interface between eolian and residual granitic parent materials, and mineral weathering were investigated in five pedons along a transect from near the edge of a wave‐cut bluff fronting on the Pacific Ocean to near the crest of a stabilized dune. Based upon distinct textural discontinuities, proportions of rounded and angular sands, organic carbon, and phyllosilicate species in silt and clay fractions, nonconforming zones of eolian materials over granitic residuum were clearly distinguished. The soils along the transect include members of coarseloamy, mixed, isomesic Pachic Haplustolls, coarse‐loamy, mixed, isomesic “Entic” Dystropepts, sandy, mixed, isomesic ustic Dystropepts, and mixed, isomesic Typic Ustipsamment families. A mineral weathering sequence involving the transformation biotite → vermiculite → smectite is evident within the buried granitic residuum along the transect.