Geographia Polonica (2011) vol. 84, iss. Special Issue Part 1

The use of SEM morphoscopy in researching the litho-pedogenetic environments evolution of Late Pleistocene and Holocene

Marek Degórski, Alojzy Kowalkowski

Geographia Polonica (2011) vol. 84, iss. Special Issue Part 1, pp. 17-38 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.2011.S1.3

Abstract

Ultramorphoscopic analysis offers one way of gaining an insight into temporal and spatialchanges that have taken place in the environment. The underlying basis here is a system ofclassified features; processes of physical, chemical and biological weathering; and processes oftransport through different environments. It is the aim of this article to present the use of morphoscopicSEM studies of podsolic soils from different parts of central and northern Europe inreconstructing the way litho- and pedogenetic conditions evolved in the Late Pleistocene andHolocene. By drawing on the research carried out, it has been possible to point to certain indicativemorphoscopic features of quartz grains that are characteristic for defined morphogenicenvironments.

Keywords: scanning electron microscope (SEM), quartz grain, sedimentation environment, podsolic soils, central and northern Europe

Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Alojzy Kowalkowski, Forest Research Institute, 05-550 Raszyn, Sękocin, Poland