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Petroplinthite formation in a pedosedimentary sequence along a northern Mediterranean coast: from micromorphology to landscape evolution

  • SOIL FORMATION AND WEATHERING IN TIME AND SPACE
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Abstract

Purpose

The petroplinthic horizon is a layer of indurated material in which Fe is an important cement, and it pertains to the pedogenetic material called “laterite”. The aim of this paper is to document the evolution of a coastal pedosedimentary sequence that developed in NW Italy during the Quaternary and discuss the genesis of its petroplinthic horizon within the context of environmental changes that should not have been favourable to lateritisation processes.

Materials and methods

The palaeosol profile was described, and the soil horizons were grouped into pedostratigraphic levels. The horizons were characterised using laboratory routine analysis, X-ray diffraction and thin section micromorphology. In addition, a scanning electron microscope examination of the back-scattered images and an elemental analysis were performed on the petroplinthic horizon only.

Results and discussion

The micromorphological evidence and mineralogical analyses suggest a polygenetic origin for the profile that reflects the influence of separate processes acting on distinct parent material under different environmental conditions.

Conclusions

The petroplinthic horizon results from a pedogenetic process that occurs during seasonal fluctuations of the water table, whereas the plinthite has no pedogenetic link with the weathered bedrock. The plinthitisation/ferrugunisation derived from iron enrichment and accumulation from an external upslope source and/or by post-depositional precipitation of “secondary” iron phyllosilicates (e.g. hisingerite) is a result of the dissolution of pre-existing hematite in inherited detrital laterite fragments.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Georges Stoops for the very interesting discussions and his suggestions and valuable help during the micromorphological study at “Laboratorium voor Mineralogie, Petrologie en Micropedologie” of Ghent University. We also greatly appreciate the support of Lorenzo Rellini.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Environment and Life Science (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy

    Ivano Rellini, Cristina Carbone & Marco Firpo

  2. Earth Sciences Department, University of Milano, Via Mangiagalli 34, 20133, Milano, Italy

    Luca Trombino

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  1. Ivano Rellini
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  4. Marco Firpo
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Correspondence to Ivano Rellini.

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Rellini, I., Trombino, L., Carbone, C. et al. Petroplinthite formation in a pedosedimentary sequence along a northern Mediterranean coast: from micromorphology to landscape evolution. J Soils Sediments 15, 1311–1328 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-014-0896-2

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