Weathering of soils developed in the eolian material overlying glacial deposits in Eastern Nepal

Bäumler R (1998)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 1998

Journal

Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Pages Range: 325-337

Abstract

We used the ratio between well crystallized Fe-oxides and total Fe (Fe(d-o)/Fe(t)) and weathering indices to study eight soils developed in eolian material overlying glacial deposits in Eastern Nepal with regard to intensity of soil development. Together with selected radiocarbon analyses and information on soil morphology, we tried to interpret the data in terms of relative and absolute age distinctions of the deposits. The results suggest no clear relationship between weathering intensity and morphostratigraphical development and the age of the geomorphic surface. We assume that this is attributable to different orographic conditions for sedimentation of the eolian dust at the study sites and to different degrees of pre-weathering of the eolian covers. However, we can show that formation of organic matter and soil development, in general, started around 2500-2800 years B.P. in the eolian cover of most soils studied. This indicates deposition of the bulk eolian sediments around 2800 years B.P. and earlier. Two soils have greater relative ages in the subsoil with respect to the weathering indices. In these soils, parts of the eolian sediments are of late glacial origin or even older. Distinct variation of soil development and weathering indices within a vertical distance of 200 m provided evidence of marginal ice.

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How to cite

APA:

Bäumler, R. (1998). Weathering of soils developed in the eolian material overlying glacial deposits in Eastern Nepal. Soil Science, 325-337.

MLA:

Bäumler, Rupert. "Weathering of soils developed in the eolian material overlying glacial deposits in Eastern Nepal." Soil Science (1998): 325-337.

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