Endolithic and hypolithic soil-like systems: structure and composition from the macro- to submicro-levels

Abstract

The paper presents a detailed study on structure and composition of endolithic and hypolithic systems. The following issues are discussed: morphology at macro to submicro levels, biochemical weathering, formation of carbonates and oxalates in situ, migration of Fe compounds, and spatial patterns of endolithic systems. Endolithic and hypolithic systems have major features attributed to soils: (a) rock layer exposed to external abiogenic factors, (b) lithomatrix inhabited by living organisms which are synthesizing and decomposing organic matter, (c) as a result initial parent rock (lithomatrix) is transformed in situ by biogenic and abiogenic factors, the products of transformation are retained and/or removed, the vertical heterogenity is established in a form of microhorizons composing microprofile. Examined profiles of endolithic systems in granitoids of East Antarctica with high quartz content had clear eluvial-illuvial differentiation patterns. Similar patterns have been discovered in different landscapes from the Plateau Ozark in Missouri to the Table Mountain in South Africa.