FAMILY DIFFERENTIAE IN SPOLNOS

Abstract

Proposals for a new order of Noosols have been advanced to include soils resulting from direct anthropogeomorphic processes. Although a number of soil series for mine soils have been established in the United States, problems remain in distinguishing these soils from “natural” soils, and they are inevitably consigned to Orthents or Arents in the American system. Recognition of a separate suborder (Spolnos) in the new order to accommodate mine soils is discussed and proposals to define spolic materials using field criteria presented. It is suggested that family criteria be developed specifically to accommodate mine soils as an aid in series recognition and soil interpretation. It is not entirely clear that the particle-size control section should be retained and if modified probably should include surface layers similar to the series control section. Family criteria have become increasingly cumbersome over the years, and defining separate classes of spolic materials would preserve the utility of the system. Additional