MICROMORPHOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME ALPINE SOILS AND THEIR GENETIC IMPLICATIONS

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Abstract
Investigation of Alpine soils from two widely separated locations showed regional similarities in their micromorphological and morphological structures largely attributable to the activity of soil fauna in the upper horizons with other processes gaining prominence with increase in depth. Stratigraphic discontinuities coincided with, and clearly marked the division between, the upper and middle sola and lower sola. A and upper B horizons were developed from materials containing a variable component of volcanic ash and vermiculite. The weathering of the ash resulted in the strong chloritization of vermiculite, and in the formation of organo-alumina and -ferra complexes and very fine nodules of goethite that imparted a strong reddish hue to the ash layers. The lower sola were developed in the stratigraphic units comprising largely locally weathered country rock. Despite the wide regional distribution, only the mineralogy of the lower solum and C horizon at Luscar Mt. was significantly different, with a high content of hydrous muscovite and vermiculite. The mineralogy of the lower sola at Sunshine Basin was more regionally representative with a significant content of hydrous muscovite, and thuringite and a variable content of brammallite. Expansible phyllosilicates were entirely lacking in C horizons.

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