Clay illuviation in Red Mediterranean soils

Abstract

Theories regarding pedogenesis in Red Mediterranean soils have undergone several stages of development. The concept of clay illuviation in these soils was not a part of early theories and it is not yet unanimously accepted as a leading soil forming process. A methodology is presented for studying the illuviation of clay in these soils emphasizing typology of textural features and fabrics. The problem of age determination is also addressed, through the use of radiometric dates and correlation with archaeological artifacts. Clay illuviation in Red Mediterranean soils under present day environmental conditions suggests that it occurs presently only on humid and sub-humid margins of the Mediterranean basin. Elsewhere illuvila clay accumulations are inherited from Interglacial periods. Red Mediterranean soils during glacial periods were eroded, coluviated, aggraded with aeolian dust, calcitic fraction of which was redistributed in form of calcitic features and eventually were affected by water logging. An example of water logging of Red Mediterranean soils (Mamora, Morocco) which took place during the last Glacial cycle, consists of yellow illuvial clays accompanied by a yellowing of the ground mass. During earlier cycles water logging resulted in whitish grey stains in which hydromorphic textural features were deposited.