Original paper
Regolith: the realm of weathering and geological processes
Bremer, Hanna
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementary Issues Volume 54 Supplementary Issue 1 (2010), p. 3 - 35
published: May 1, 2010
DOI: 10.1127/zfg_suppl/54/2010/3
ArtNo. ESP023105401002, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The relief sphere of the earth is the conversion surface for geoecological processes, which mainly take place within the weathering mantle or regolith. Regolith is understood here as material that has been transformed or influenced by weathering. Distinct from soil, it also comprises debris sheets, dune and river sands. The term “regolith” is preferred to “weathering mantle”, as the latter might invoke the image of a broad extent of material in an autochthonous position. Compound words such as palaeosol or polygenetic soil will be employed in the standard way. The term regolith is used here to also include saprolite, which lies above the weathering front and in which the bedrock structure is still visible. Frequently horizons above the saprolite are autochthonous as well, but may have been disturbed by soil fauna, termites in particular. Further definitions, in particular those relevant for the CRD, may be found in the annex.
Keywords
Regolith • weathering mantle • palaeosol • saprolite • polygenetic