Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-4rdrl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-05T13:13:30.707Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A novel methodological approach for thin-section description and its application to periglacially disturbed Pleistocene deposits from Danbury, Essex, UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2014

K. Leszczynska ,
J. Boreham  and
S. Boreham
K. Leszczynska*
Affiliation:
Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group, Department of Geography, Cambridge University, Downing Place, CB2 3EN, Cambridge, United Kingdom
J. Boreham
Affiliation:
Earthslides.com, United Kingdom
S. Boreham
Affiliation:
Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group, Department of Geography, Cambridge University, Downing Place, CB2 3EN, Cambridge, United Kingdom
*
*Email: [email protected].
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Although micromorphological terminology has been evolving since 1960, there have been few attempts to create a systematic approach to the description of thin-sections which would serve as a guiding tool for inexperienced researchers, students, and all new to the field of micromorphology. In this paper we present a novel, decision tree based systematic approach for thin-section description. This new approach attempts to unify micromorphological descriptions of Quaternary deposits, regardless of the character of the deposit and the purpose of the analysis.

In this research project, named ‘Hidden Ice Worlds’, the micromorphology of an 8 m thick sequence of periglacially disturbed deposits from the Royal Oak Pit, Danbury hill, Essex, UK is described. This sequence is situated on the eastern side of Danbury hill, at c. 50 m OD. Based on micromorphological analyses, a new hypothesis for the evolution of this sequence is presented. Multiple phases of physical reworking associated with freezing and thawing of the deposit, subsequent to Elsterian (Anglian) glaciation (480-420 ka BP) is proposed as the main process responsible for the evolution of the sequence. As periglacially derived deposits are usually removed from such elevated locations on hill' slopes, inversion of the topography is proposed as a necessary factor for the formation and preservation of the sequence described in this atypical location.

Keywords

MicromorphologyElsterian (Anglian)Periglacial deposits
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 90 , Issue 4 , December 2011 , pp. 271 - 291
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2011

References

Bal, L., 1973. Micromorphological analysis of soils. Netherlands Soil Survey Institute (Wageningen): 134 pp.Google Scholar
Barrat, B.C., 1969. A classification of humus and their forms and microfabrics in temperate grassland. Journal of Soil Science 15: 342–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bertran, P., 1993. Deformation-induced microstructures in soils affected by mass movements. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 18: 645–660.Google Scholar
Brewer, R., 1964. Fabric and mineral analysis of soils. John Wiley & Sons (New York): 470 pp.Google Scholar
Brewer, R., 1972. The basis of interpretation of soil micromorphological data. Geoderma 8: 81–94.Google Scholar
Brewer, R. & Pawluk, S., 1975 Investigations of some soils developed in hummocks of the Canadian sub-Arctic and Southern Arctic regions. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 55: 301–319.Google Scholar
Brewer, R. & Sleeman, J.R., 1988. Soil structure and fabric: CSIRO (Australia): 173 pp.Google Scholar
Bullock, P., Fedoroff, N., Jongerius, A., Stoops, G., Tursina, T., Babel, U., Aguilar, J., Altemüller, H.-J., Fitzpatrick, E.A., Kowalinski, S., Paneque, G., Rutherford, G.K. & Yarilowa, E.A., 1985. Handbook for thin section description. Waine Research (Australia): 152 pp.Google Scholar
Bunting, B., 1977. The occurrence of vesicular structures in arctic and sub-arctic soils. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 21: 89–95.Google Scholar
Chandler, R., 1972. Periglacial mudslides in West Spitzbergen and their bearings on the origin of fossil solifluction shears in low angled clay slopes. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology 5: 223–241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drees, L.R. & Wilding, L.P., 1987. Micromorphic record and interpretations of carbonate forms in the Rolling Plains of Texas. Geoderma 40: 157–175.Google Scholar
Evenson, E.B., Dreimanis, A. & Newsome, J.W., 1977. Sub-aquatic flow tills: a new interpretation for the genesis of some laminated till deposits. Boreas 6: 115–133.Google Scholar
Faustova, M.A., 1973. Microfabric and composition of moraines in the region of the Kunia River. In: Zonn, S.V. (ed.): Micromorphology of soils and loose rocks. Nauka (Moscov): 87–96.Google Scholar
Faustova, M.A., 1980. Palaeogeographical significance of facial analysis of the ablation moraines. Academy of Science (USSR Izvestia): 95–102 pp.Google Scholar
Fedoroff, N., 1986. Un plaidoyer en faveur de la paléopédologie: Bulletin Association Français Quaternaire 3/4: 195–204.Google Scholar
Fedoroff, N., Courty, M.A. & Thompson, M.L., 1990. Micromorphological evidence of palaeoenvironmental change in Pleistocene and Holocene paleosols. In: Douglas, L.A. (ed.): Soil micromorphology: a basic and applied science: Development in Soil Science. Elsevier (Amsterdam-Oxford-New York-Tokyo): 653–660.Google Scholar
Fitzpatrick, E.A., 1956. An indurated soil horizon formed by permafrost. Journal of Soil Science 7: 248–257.Google Scholar
Gaiglas, A., 1971. Structure, texture and genetical varieties of the main moraines. In: Gudelis, V. Gaiglas, A. (eds.): Structure and morphogenesis in the Middle-Lithuania Plain: AN USSR (Vilnius): 28–87.Google Scholar
Harris, C. & Ellis, S., 1980. Micromorphology of soil in soliflucted materials, Okstindan, Northern Norway. Geoderma 23: 11–29.Google Scholar
Huddart, D., 1971. Textural distinction of Main Glaciation and Scottish readvance tills in the Cumberland lowland. Geological Magazine 108: 317–324.Google Scholar
Kemp, R.A., 1985. Soil micromorphology and the Quaternary. Birkbeck College (London): 80 pp.Google Scholar
Kemp, R.A., 1998. Role of micromorphology in paleopedological research. Quaternary International 51/52: 133–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kubiena, W.L., 1938, Micropedology: Collegiate Press (Ames): 242 pp.Google Scholar
Kubiena, W.L., 1953. The soils of Europe. Consejo Superior de Investigationes Cientificas (Madrid): 317 pp.Google Scholar
Leszczynska, K., 2011. Pleistocene glacigenic deposits in Essex, UK. PhD dissertation, unpublished.Google Scholar
Matveev, A.V., 1976. Ice formation of the Byelorussia Antropogene: Publishing House Nauka and Tekhnida (Minsk): 124 pp.Google Scholar
Miall, A.D., 1977. A review of braided river depositional environment. Earth Science Review 13: 1–62.Google Scholar
Mucher, H.J., 1974. Micromorphology of slope deposits: the necessity of a classifcation. In: Rutherford, G.K. (ed.): Soil microscopy. The Limestone Press (Kingston, Ontario): 151–194.Google Scholar
Mucher, H.J. & Morozova, T.D., 1981. The application of soil micromorphology in Quaternary geology and geomorpphology. In: Bullock, P. & Murphy, C.P. (eds.): Soil micromorphology. Techniques and applications. Academic (Berkhampsted): 553–566.Google Scholar
Schluchter, C., 1979. Moraines and varves. A. A. Balkema (Rotterdam): 441 pp.Google Scholar
Shumilova, E.B., 1974. Lithology and genesis of Quaternary deposits in the lower part of the River Ob. Nauka (Novosibirsk).Google Scholar
Stoops, G., 2003. Guidelines for analysis and description of soil and regolith thin sections. Soil Science Society of America (Madison, Wisconsin, USA): 184 pp.Google Scholar
Van der Meer, J.J.M., 1980. Different types of wedges in deposits of Würm age from the Murten area (western Swiss Plain). Eclogae geologicae Helvetiae 73: 839–854.Google Scholar
Van der Meer, J.J.M., 1996, Micromorphology. In: Menzies, J. (ed.): Past glacial environments. Sediments, forms and techniques. Burlington (Butterworth-Heinemann): 335–356.Google Scholar
Van Vliet-Lanoe, B., 1985. Frost effects in soils. In: Boardman, J. (ed.): Soil and Quaternary landscape evolution. John Wiley & Sons (Chichester-New York-Brisbane-Toronto-Singapore,): 117–138.Google Scholar
Van Vliet-Lanoe, B., Coutard, J.P. & Pissart, A., 1984. Structures caused by repeated freezing and thawing in various loamy sediments: A comparison of active, fossil and experimental data. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 9: 553–565.Google Scholar