WEATHERING AND ROUNDNESS OF QUARTZ SAND GRAINS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY: Photographs and descriptions of quartz sand grains from soils, paleosols and silcretes show that grain shape can be modified by solution in situ. Dissolution is attributed to solutions rich in organic molecules present in weathering profiles, and commonly results in rounding of protuberances and re‐entrants on grains. The incidence of this process may vary with climate. It is postulated that solution rounding during weathering plays an important role in shaping quartz sand grains in general, its significance varying with climate. This postulate, which remains unconfirmed, has considerable implications for the interpretation of textural maturity of sandy sediments. If true, super‐mature sands may be as much a climatic indicator as an indicator of tectonic quiesence.

This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit: