Award Date

1-1-2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geoscience

First Committee Member

Patrick Drohan

Number of Pages

89

Abstract

Understanding the pedogenesis of argillic horizons in atypical parent materials and climates provides a valuable context for understanding traditional pedogenic interpretations. In this study I examine the genesis of argillic horizons in soils forming in alluvium dominated by quartzite (an atypical parent material for argillic horizons) in an arid to semi-arid climate (usually insufficient moisture to translocate clays). Using soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses with field soil mapping I examined whether the argillic horizons are currently forming and their potential source materials. Results suggest that argillic horizons formed from quartzite, limestone, and eolian dust. While mineralogy suggests soil weathering is minimal, A horizons are clay-depleted and B horizons contain actively forming channel argillans and clay accumulation; a lack of lithologic discontinuities also suggests the argillic horizons are not products of a past climate. This study's results provide new insight into argillic-horizon development in atypical parent materials and climates.

Keywords

Argillic; Charkiln; Clark County; Genesis; Horizons; Mountain; Nevada; Series; Soils; Spring

Controlled Subject

Soil science; Geology; Environmental sciences

File Format

pdf

File Size

3031.04 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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