The interaction of parent material and eolian debris on the formation of soils in the Silverbell Desert Biome of Arizona

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine whether the properties of four soils of the Silverbell Desert Biome could be attributed solely to the parent material or alternately reflect the nature of contributions, if any, from eolian dust. The Anklam, Lajitas and Chimenea soils, classified as fine-loamy, mixed, thermic Lithic Haplargids and the Greyeagle (coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic, Lithic Torriorthent) soil formed an andesite, basalt, granite and basalt, respectively. They occur on gently sloping, stable terrain in Pima County, Arizona. The four soils were studied through field descriptions, particle size analysis, mineralogical analyses of light and heavy sand fractions and clay mineral identification. The light mineral fraction of all four soils is directly affected by the parent material and is influenced much less, if at all by eolian activities due to the larger particle sizes. It is concluded that the genesis of soils was influenced by both the underlying rock and the input of eolian particulates. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)