THE INFLUENCE OF DUST ON SOILS DURING THE QUATERNARY

Abstract

The phenomenon of addition of eolian mineral particles to soils during their genesis modifies the classic concept of soil development from underlying parent materials. Numerous evidences have been reported of the presence in many soils of dust particles that had been transported relatively short or very long distances by wind. Three categories of soils are considered in this paper: (a) soils only slightly modified by eolian increments, (b) soils in which the process of soil genesis has been significantly influenced by eolian additions, and (c) soils developed from two or more strata, always including a thin surface eolian deposit overlying a contrasting substratum. © Williams & Wilkins 1973. All Rights Reserved.