Georges Stoops - Böcker

Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regoliths, Second Edition, provides researchers and students with a tool for interpreting features observed in soil thin sections and through submicroscopic studies. After an introduction and general overview, micromorphological aspects of regoliths (e.g., saprolites, transported materials) are highlighted, followed by a systematic and coherent discussion of the micromorphological expression of various pedogenic processes. The book is written by an international team of experts in the field, using a uniform set of concepts and terminology, making it a valuable interdisciplinary reference work.

The following topics are treated: freeze-thaw features, redoximorphic features, calcareous and gypsiferous formations, textural features, spodic and oxic horizons, volcanic materials, organic matter, surface horizons, laterites, surface crusts, salt minerals, biogenic and pedogenic siliceous materials, other authigenic silicates, phosphates, sulphidic and sulphuric materials, and features related to faunal activity. The last chapters address anthropogenic features,archaeological materials and palaeosoils.

Updates the first exhaustive publication on interpretation of micromorphological features, with some new chapters and with a larger number of additional references Covers related topics, making micromorphology more attractive and accessible for geomorphologists, archaeologists and quaternary geologists Includes thematic treatment of a range of soil micromorphology fields and broadens its applications Features input from a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring thorough coverage of topics related to soil science, archaeology and geomorphology

Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regolith, 2nd edition, provides researchers and students with a global tool for interpretation of micromorphological features of regoliths and soils. After an introduction and general overview by the editors, micromorphological aspects of regoliths (e.g. saprolites, unconsolidated sediments, transported materials) are highlighted, followed by a systematic and coherent discussion of the micromorphological expression of various pedogenic processes. This is done by discussing diagnostic horizons, materials and processes. The following topics are also treated: freeze-thaw features, redoximorphic features, calcareous and gypsiferous formations, textural features, spodic and oxic horizons, andic and volcanic materials, organic and surface horizons, laterites, surface crusts, salts, biogenic and inorganic siliceous materials, authigenic silicates, phosphates, thionic and derived materials, and features related to faunal activity. The last chapters address the impact of anthropic activities, with regard to archaeology and palaeopedology.

Interpretation of Micromorphological Features of Soils and Regolith, 2nd edition, is written by a team of well-known, global experts in the field who all used a single set of concepts and terminology, making it a valuable interdisciplinary reference.

The first exhaustive publication on interpretation of micromorphological features Covers related topics, making micromorphology more attractive and accessible for geographers, archaeologists and quaternary geologists Thematic treatment of a range of soil micromorphology fields broadens the content's applications Authored by a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring thorough coverage of archaeological, geological, and earth science disciplines

Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology goes beyond a mere review of current literature and features the most up to date contributions from numerous scientists working in the field. The book represents a groundbreaking and comprehensive resource covering the plethora of applications of micromorphology in archaeology. Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology offers researchers, students and professionals a systematic tool for the interpretation of thin sections of archaeological contexts.This important resource is also designed to help stimulate the use of micromorphology in archaeology outside Europe, where the technique is less frequently employed. Moreover, the authors hope to strengthen the proper application of soil micromorphology in archaeology, by illustrating its possibilities and referring in several cases to more specialized publications (for instance in the field of plant remains, pottery and phytoliths).  Written for anyone interested in the topic, this important text offers: Contributions from most of the world's leading authorities on soil micromorphologyA series of chapters on the major topics selected among the most recurrent in literature about archaeological soil micromorphologySystematic descriptions of all important micromorphological featuresSpecial analytical tools employed on thin sections, such as SEM/EDS, image analysis, fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, among othersNumerous cross-references400 illustrated full-colour platesThe resource provides the most current and essential information for archaeologists, geoarchaeologists, soil scientists and sedimentologists. Comprehensive in scope, Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology offers professionals and students a much-needed tool for the interpretation of thin sections of archaeological contexts.

The soil water retention curve, the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function are basic soil hydraulic functions and parameters. Ample apprehension of the soil hydraulic functions and parameters is required for a successful formulation of the principles leading to sustainable soil management, agricultural production and environmental protection. From these, all the other parameters, required in the solution of the practical tasks, are derived. The basic soil hydraulic functions are strongly dependent upon the soil porous system. The development of models is characteristic by the gradual transition from the simplest concepts up to the sophisticated approaches, which should correspond to the visual reality studied by soil micromorphology. 2 Soil Porous System and Soil Micromorphometry 2.1 An Overview on the Quantification of the Soil Porous System Quanti? cation of the soil porous system consists of classi? cation of soil pores, ch- acterization of the soil pores shapes and the estimation of the pore size distribution function. When the hydraulic functions of the soil pores are considered, the following laws of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics are applied as best ? tting to the classi? cation criteria of the size of the pores (Kutilek and Nielsen 1994, p. 20, Kutilek 2004): A. Submicroscopic pores that are so small that they preclude clusters of water molecules from forming ? uid particles or continuous water ? ow paths.