Rock Varnish on Granitoids in East Antarctica: Product of Endolithic Pedogenesis?

摘要

1. The system consisting of the following elements а) endolithic organisms, b) granitoid rock, c) weathering products has all features to be denominated as a "soil" where the initial lithomatrix is transformed in situ by biotic and abiotic factors, the transformation products (e.g. organo-mineral films and fine earth) are retained and/or taken away, the vertical heterogeneity (microprofile) is formed. 2. The major products of endolithic pedogenesis are organo-mineral films covering the surfaces inside the rock. Due to gravitation most of the coatings (films) are accumulated on the upper surface of the solid rock directly under the crust which will be exfoliated in the future. These coatings form a specific soil microhorizon (1to10 μm thick). 3. Certain types of rock varnish on granitoids in Antarctica appear to be the endolithically generated organo-mineral coatings, or in other words, the former/paleo horizons of endolithic soils exposed and transformed by exogenic factors after exfoliation.