Micromorphological studies of soil tonguing phenomena in the Burford loam, southern Ontario, Canada
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1976/26/16Keywords:
pedological studies, micromorphological examination, active layerAbstract
Pedological and lithostratigraphical studies of some soil tongue features developed in a geomorphological profile of superposed silt loams on calcareous gravelly loams, in southern Ontario, supplemented by micromorphological examination of the soil materials, permit a reconstruction of the sequence of development of such soil tongues. The uppermost soil horizons are formed in a presumed niveoalluvial or loessic material deposited on the surface of a compacted gravelly loam material derived from an active layer. This material showed surface irregularities formed by shallow linear channels or round hollows. Later concentration of soil processes in these areas led to the deep tongue or channel phenomena through carbonate solution and emphasized by clay illuviation and by disruption of the linearity of the gravel bands at the junction of the deepended areas and the stable material to the sides. Marker bands of gravel layers can be traced within the soil tongues, sagging more deeply in the upper parts, less deeply in their lower parts. This llustrates the continuity of development of these tongues throughout post-glacial time and refutes the origin of these eatures as fossil forms related to the former existence of ice wedges.
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