@article {50330, title = {A 50th anniversary guidebook for the desert project}, year = {2007}, month = {April 2007}, pages = {279}, publisher = {USDA NRCS National Soil Survey Center}, address = {Lincoln, NE}, abstract = {

Project encompasses a 400 square mile areas studied by a team of soil scientists and geologists from 1957 to 1972. The project was staffed by personnel of the Soil Survey Investigations, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and work was done in cooperation with the Agricultural Experiment Station and Department of Agronomy at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Field investigations included mapping the soils, geomorphic surfaces, and surficial deposits at a scale of 1:15,840. In addition, detailed studies at larger scales were conducted along selected transects. Joint laboratory and field investigations included studies of characteristics and genesis of a number of soils and soil horizons, radiocarbon dating of pedogenic carbonates and organic carbon, and studies of the effect of additions from dustfall to soil genesis and morphology. The frontispiece shows major physiographic features of the Desert Project and Table 1 shows the soil chronology. Table 2 lists soils of the area by soil classification; Table 3 presents soils series analogs and taxadjuncts in alphabetical order. Soil classsifiction is accoridng to the Soil Survey Staff (2006).

}, keywords = {geomorphic surfaces, government publication, mapping, morphology, soil genesis, surficial deposits}, url = {/files/bibliography/07-028.pdf}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley and R. Grossman and R. J. eds. Ahrens and Curtis H. Monger and F. F. Peterson and Gibbens, Robert P. and J.M. Lenz and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and B. Nolen} } @booklet {50770, title = {Supplement to the Desert Project Soil Monograph, Volume III}, howpublished = {Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 44}, year = {2003}, note = {//LOCAL,NMSU,USDA//NONE//}, month = {2003}, pages = {374 pp}, publisher = {USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service}, address = {National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE}, abstract = {

Volume III of the Supplement to the Desert Project Soil Monograph is the third in a number of volumes about soils and landscapes in the Desert Project area. Volume III consists of two chapters. The first is an update of the Desert Project soil survey, along with many illustrations of its features. Because of the high significance of carbon in studies of global change, particular attention is paid to composition of the map units with respect to both organic and carbonate carbon. This information has been used in the second chapter on areal evaluation of organic and carbonate carbon. Recent advances in color technology and computer-generated maps have been used in sections involving both general and detailed soil maps, maps of morphological and physiographic features, and maps illustrating soil-geomorphic reconstruction. In addition, color photography has been used to illustrate the effects of increasing precipitation from the arid to the semiarid zone; the effects of moisture differences resulting from surface and subsurface concentrations of moisture; sites dated by radiocarbon ages of buried charcoal; other features of the semiarid zone; and soils of Holocene scarps in high-carbonate parent materials. Land survey notes, grazing records, aerial photographs, and present conditions indicate extensive dune formation and dramatic changes in vegetation from about 1885 to 1936. Repeat photography documents major vegetation changes in the last 20 to 80 years.

}, keywords = {book, books, chapter, chapters, Desert Project, geomorphology, Desert Project, soil, geomorphology, Desert Project, photography, aerial, photography, repeat, photography, time sequence, report, reports, soil characteristics, Desert Project, soil chemistry, Desert Project, soil formation, soil mapping, soil properties, Desert Project, soil survey, Desert Project, soil, argillic horizon, soil, aridisols, soil, boundaries, soil, calcareous, soil, calcic horizon, soil, calcite, soil, calcium carbonate horizon, soil, carbonate, soil, charcoal horizons, soil, chronosequence, soil, classification, soil, description, soil, Desert Project, soil, geomorphic relationships, soil, landscape, soil, map-unit boundaries, soil, Paleargid horizon, soil, paleosols, soil, petrocalcic horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile and R. J. eds. Ahrens}, editor = {S. P. Anderson} } @unpublished {50866, title = {An extract from a 50th annimversary guidebook for the Desert Project (manuscript in preparation)}, year = {2002}, note = {//LOCAL,NMSU,JER//NONE//ProCite field[12]: In File (07/14/2004)}, month = {2002}, pages = {207 pp}, abstract = {This extract from the 50th anniversary guidebook for the Desert Project prepared for the Soil Science Institute held at the Desert Project in September 2002. The manuscript is in preparation with publication anticipated for 2006.}, keywords = {Desert Project, geomorphology, Desert Project, soil, flooding, playa, geomorphology, Desert Project, playa, flooding, playa, Isaacks Lake, soil, Desert Project}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley and R. Grossman and R. J. eds. Ahrens and Curtis H. Monger and F. F. Peterson and Gibbens, Robert P. and J.M. Lenz and Brandon T Bestelmeyer and B. Nolen} } @article {51217, title = {Soil-induced variability in root systems of creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and tarbush (Flourensia cernua)}, journal = {Journal of Arid Environments}, volume = {39}, number = {1}, year = {1998}, month = {May 1, 1998}, pages = {57-78}, abstract = {

Creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and tarbush (Flourensia cernua) are two of the major shrub invaders of grassland in many desert areas of southern New Mexico. Soils and root systems associated with these two shrubs were studied at three sites on an alluvial fan piedmont. The soils have formed in alluvium derived from monzonite, rhyolite, and andesite, in deposits ranging in age from late Holocene to middle Pleistocene. Soil age, carbonate morphology, particle size, and landscape position were found to be major factors associated with root variability. The stage I carbonate that occurs in youngest soils has relatively little influence on root distribution because the carbonate consists only of thin coatings on sand grains and pebbles. But the increasing carbonate that occurs in stages II, III, and IV results in denser zones of carbonate that control the routes for movement of both soil water and roots. Not only do individual nodules and cemented pebbly zones grow and eventually merge, they also represent zones of restricted hydraulic conductivity, funneling soil water and roots to as yet uncemented parts of the horizon. Continued carbonate accumulation leads to a plugged horizon and an overlying stage IV laminar horizon that is a barrier to roots. Particle size controls the time and amount of carbonate required for formation of these horizons. Calciargids of late Pleistocene age that averaged 4\% and 32\% by volume of gravel and contained 415 and 317\ kg\ m-2 of pedogenic carbonate had only stage III horizons. In contrast, a Petrocalcid of the same age and averaging 63\% by volume of gravel required only 205\ kg\ m-2 of carbonate to form the stage IV horizon. Roots penetrated occasional openings in the stage IV horizon. Runoff from soils sloping 2\% reduces the number of days with available soil water at various depths as compared to 1\% slopes below. At the 2\% slope, roots did not extend below 2\ m depth, whereas at the 1\% slope roots extended to as much as 5\ m depth.

}, keywords = {Calciargids, calcic horizons, hydraulic conductivity, petrocalcic horizons, Petrocalcids, root depth, root distribution, root morphology, stages I{\textendash}IV of carbonate accumulation}, doi = {10.1006/jare.1998.0377}, url = {/files/bibliography/614.pdf}, author = {L. H. Gile and Gibbens, Robert P. and J.M. Lenz} } @article {51278, title = {The near-ubiquitous pedogenic world of mesquite roots in an arid basin floor}, journal = {Journal of Arid Environment}, volume = {35}, year = {1997}, month = {1997}, pages = {39-58}, abstract = {

A major invasion of grassland by shrubs began about 1850 A.D. in many desert areas of sourthern New Mexico. In the broad floor of the Jornada del Muerto Basin, mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) is the most numerous of these invading shurbs. Mesquite roots in a coppice dunewere excavated and traced laterally in an area with an extremely complex soil pattern (Petrocalcids, Torripsamments, Haplargids, and Calciargids). The roots readily penetrated all soil horizons except the continuosly indurated petrocalcic horizon of the Petro clacids. However, the roots grew along the torp of the petrocalcic horizon and in places found locations for penetrationm such as cracks and pipes, with numerous, often upward-growing roots enrougte to utilize the sparse preciptation. At another study site mesquite encroached into a play dominated by Haplocalcids, in one of chich mesquite roots descended to a depth of at lease 5.5 m. Althoough thte spread of mesquite seed by cattle was a major factor in the spread of mesquite, its successful establishment over large areas was apparently due to the ability of mesquite roots to adapt to a wide variety of soils and soil conditions to take their advantage fo the sparse precipitation; to their ability to greatly proliferate while spreading laterally over long distances; to grow upward and take advantage of small precipitation events that only wet the soil to depths of a few centimeters; to descend to great depths along cracks and other openings in the soil, down which soil water also penetrates, and thus to their ability to utilize available water at all depths.

}, doi = {10.1006/jare.1996.0157}, url = {/files/bibliography/584.pdf}, author = {L. H. Gile and Gibbens, Robert P. and J.M. Lenz} } @article {51333, title = {Ancient soils of the Rincon surface, northern Dona Ana County}, year = {1996}, note = {//LOCAL//LTER III//ProCite field[12]: In File (01/10/2005)}, month = {1996}, pages = {155}, institution = {USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service}, type = {pp}, address = {National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE}, abstract = {Volume II of the Supplement to the Desert Project Soil Monograph is the second of a number of reports on soils in the Desert Project area. Volume II consists of two chapters, of which the first is a detailed study of a remnant of the Rincon surface and its soils. The Rincon surface is a remnant of one of the oldest basin landscapes in North America, and probably dates from late Pliocene time or earlier. The remnant consists of an ancient basin floor and an adjacent alluvial-fan piedmont, preserved in a bedrock-defended area 600 feet above the Rio Grande flood plain. Chapter 2 focuses on clay mineralogy of the Desert Project and the Rincon study area. It describes clay mineralogy as a function of age, parent material, and depth. It also compiles the narrative clay mineralogy information produced during the period from 1957 to 1972.}, keywords = {book, books, chapter, chapters, landscape, evolution, report, reports, Rincon, soil, Desert Project, soil, development}, isbn = {Soil Survey Investigations Report $\#$44}, author = {L. H. Gile and R. Grossman and J. Hawley and Curtis H. Monger}, editor = {L. H. Gile and R. J. eds. Ahrens} } @article {51393, title = {Pedogenic carbonate in soils of the Isaacks{\textquoteright} ranch surface, southern New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Journal}, volume = {59}, number = {2}, year = {1995}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1995}, pages = {501-508}, abstract = {Pedogenic carbonate has potential as a chronological tool for vast areas of arid and semiarid regions. However, much more work is needed on variations in carbonate accumulation in soils of the same age. A long gully and study trench in southern New Mexico provide continuous exposures of soils of a drainageway and ridge of Isaacks{\textquoteright} Ranch age (8000-15 000 yr). A fine-loamy Typic Haplargid in the drainageway has a Stage II carbonate horizon and 108 kg/m2 of carbonate. Two coarse-loamy Typic Haplargids of the ridge side have Stage II carbonate horizons and 78 and 97 kg/m2 of carbonate, distinctly less than for the soil of the drainageway. The difference is attributed to finer texture (which would slow the wetting fronts) in the drainageway, and more water there for movement of carbonate into the soil. At the ridge crest, a facies change from coarse-loamy to sandy materials caused a change from Stage II nodules to Stage I coatings on grains. In the sandy material, a Typic Torripsamment has 22 kg/m2 of carbonate. In the coarse-loamy materials, a Typic Torriorthent has 60 kg/m2 of carbonate; the coarse-loamy materials must have captured carbonate that moved to greater depths in the Torripsamment. Although the totals obtained must be considered estimates, they indicate that the amount of pedogenic carbonate in Isaacks{\textquoteright} Ranch soils may range up to fivefold, that landscape position is an important factor in this range, and that texture of the parent materials can have a major effect on the amount of carbonate in soils of a given age regardless of landscape position.}, keywords = {article, articles, journal, journals, soil, pedogenic carbonates}, author = {L. H. Gile} } @article {51392, title = {Soils and sediments associated with remarkable, deeply penetrating roots of crucifiction thorn (Koeberlinia spinosa Zucc.)}, journal = {Journal of Arid Environments}, volume = {31}, number = {2}, year = {1995}, month = {October 1, 1995}, pages = {137-151}, abstract = {

Root systems of crucifixion thorn (Koeberlinia spinosa Zucc.) were excavated on an alluvial-fan toeslope in a desert area of southern New Mexico. Highcarbonate toeslope deposits of late Pleistocene age overlie low-carbonate middle Pleistocene deposits of an ancestral Rio Grande. These two deposits and their soils provide markedly different geomorphic, pedogenic, chemical and physical environments for the development of tap roots and their branches. Roots descended through the fan toeslope sediments and penetrated the river deposits to a depth of at least 5{\textperiodcentered}2m, much deeper than is usual for root penetration in this area. Remarkably, 2nd and 3rd order branches originated at depths of 2{\textperiodcentered}3 to 3{\textperiodcentered}8 m and grew vertically upward, branched profusely in the top 1 m of soil, and extended to within 10 cm of the soil surface. It is believed that occasional deeply penetrating soil water moves down channels once occupied by roots and other openings in the soil, and that this is a source of water for growth of the deeply penetrating roots, as well as for the roots that grow upward.

}, keywords = {buried soils, deeply penetrating soil water routes, desert soils, gypsum hardpan, root morphology, upward-growing roots}, doi = {10.1006/jare.1995.0056}, url = {/files/bibliography/444.pdf}, author = {L. H. Gile and Gibbens, Robert P. and J.M. Lenz} } @article {51391, title = {Supplement to the Desert Project Guidebook, with emphasis on soil micromorphology.}, year = {1995}, note = {//LOCAL, NMSU, USDA//LTER III//}, month = {1995}, edition = {Bulletin 142}, address = {Socorro, New Mexico}, abstract = {

This Supplement to the Desert Project Guidebook presents new study areas 23-27, and additional information for other study areas and thin section studies. New study area 23 is near pipline and power line roads that cross terraces and soils ranging in age from late Holocene to late middle Pleistocene. In area 23, morphology of the laminar, plugged, and adjacent horizons of an Argic Petrocalcid was related to the radiocarbon chronology of their carbonate. This pedon was the first so studied in the Desert Project and the first to be reported in the world literature on genesis of carbonate horizons.

Study area 24 illustrates a complex of Typic Haplocalcids and Argic Petrocalcids on a dissected landscape with ridge remnants of late middle Pleistocene age and the transition to a broad stable landscape of the same age dominated by Argie Petrocalcids. Area 24 illustrates a facies change from low-gravel to high-gravel materials and profound changes in carbonate morphology (stage III to IV) and soil classification (Typic Haplocalcid to Typic Petrocalcid) that accompany the facies change. Thin sections show evidence of dissolution of primary grains in the calcic horizon of the Haplocalcid.

Study area 25, in lce Canyon of the Organ Mountains, illustrates a bedrock-deserted ancient fan,and an Argie Ustic Petrocalcid dating from middle to early Pleistocene. This soil has a red, clay Bt horizon with a subhorizon that has more than 70\% clay,and illustrates stage IV of carbonate accumulation in soils of the mountain canyons. Thin sections show argillans on sand grains but not on ped faces. Prominent striae of oriented clay occur within peds and may represent former argillans.

Study area 26 is along and near the scarp of a middle Pleistocene relict basin floor that borders the Rio Grande valley. At area 26, the deep petrocalcic horizon of a Typic Petroargid illustrates stage IV of carbonate accumulation in low-gravel materials. Thin sections show evidence of disso-lution or primary grains in the petrocalcic horizon and accumulation of silica below it. Electron microscopy, soil column and culture studies indiate that soil microorganisms are involved in precipitation of fine-grain calcite in horizons of carbonate accmulation. Microscopic and chemical evidence indicates that palygorskite was neoformed in the petrocalcic horizon.

Study 27 is in a distinctive scarplet terrain in which the scarplets cut fan{\textbullet}piedmont sediments derived largely from sedimentary rocks such as limestone.\  The scarplets expose a Holocene Haplocalcid and the\  Bt horizon of an\  underlying\  Calciargid of late Pleistocene age.An argillic.horizon has not formed in high-carbonate parent materials or middle Holocene age, but has formed in the underlylng soil of late Pleistocene age. This suggests that moister climates of Pleistocene pluvials may have been involved in leaching the bulk of the carbonates so that the argillic horizon could form. Thin sections of the buried argillic horizon show both prominent argillans and some limestone grains. This shows that not all of the primary carbonate must be leached from the parent materials for an argillic horizon to form. Argillans were not found on limestone grains.

Photomicrographs illustrate illuvial clay and carbonate in soils that range in age from late Halocene to middle to early Pleistocene. Coatings of oriented clay on sand grains and pebnbles (grains argillans) are chracteristic of the Bt horizons. Grains argillans of many Bt horizons have been partly to completely obliterated by cabonate. Calcified root hairs, calcite filaments and framework grain coatings (calcitans) are the youngest forms of carbonate accumulation. They are currently forming and are the major morphological expression of carbonate in late Halocence soils. Progressively older carbonate forms increase in density and hardness with increasing carbonate content. Thin sections show evidence of dissolution of primary grains in soils of late-middle Pleistocene age and older.

}, keywords = {book, books, chapter, chapters, report, reports, soil, Desert Project, soil, micromorphology}, url = {files/bibliography/JRN00197.pdf}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley and R. Grossman and Curtis H. Monger and Montoya, C.E. and Greg H. Mack} } @booklet {51716, title = {Supplement to the Desert Project Guidebook 1988}, year = {1988}, note = { //LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1988}, publisher = {New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources}, address = {Socorro, New Mexico}, abstract = {

The 3 1/2-day study tour presented in the Desert Project Guidebook gives information for 22 of the Desert Project study sites, which are designated Study Areas in the Guidebook. Supplements, to be prepared as needed and to be used with the Guidebook, were envisioned as a way of presenting additional information. This supplement, the first, is being prepared partly for a 2-day field trip for the International Working Meeting on Soil Micromorphology in San Antonio, Texas, and partly to serve the needs of future field study sessions. This is a rough first draft, and a number of sections have yet to be added. Several new Study Areas have been added in this draft, and additional ones are planned for the published supplement. Objectives of the Study Areas are to illustrate soil-geomorphic relationships, to present features significant to soil genesis and classification, to show how and why these features change from one soil to another, and, where possible, to show on the landscape where such changes are likely to take place.

}, keywords = {book, books, chapter, chapters, Desert Project, geomorphology, report, reports, soil, classification, soil, geomorphic relationships, soil, landscape}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley and R. Grossman and Curtis H. Monger} } @article {52231, title = {Causes of soil boundaries in an arid region: II. Dissection, moisture and faunal activity}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Proceedings}, volume = {39}, year = {1975}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1975}, pages = {324-330}, abstract = {Studies of soils in arid regions show similar boundaries between many soils. This paper illustrates some of the boundaries caused by differences in landscape dissection, soil moisture, and faunal activity. Some of the boundaries are apparent at the land surface and others are not. In dissected terrains a change from Argids to Orthids has been caused by slow, long-continued soil truncation associated with the dissection. The boundary occurs as a gradual, lateral change from a noncalcareous, reddish-brown, and red argillic horizon to a calcareous, brown cambic horizon. Differences in moisture movement in the past have caused soil differences resulting in boundaries between Typic Haplargids and Petrocalcic Paleargids. During Pleistocene pluvials, soil moisture moved deeply into reddish-brown pipes (preventing carbonate accumulation) but not in adjacent petrocalcic horizons. Typic Haplargids occur in the pipes whereas Petocalcic Paleargids occur adjacent to the pipes. Soil boundaries have also been caused by differences in moisture movement at present. Runoff from fan-piedmonts increases vegetation and organic carbon in and along margins of basin floors. This and associated increases in clay commonly result in a boundary between Typic Haplargids on the fan-piedmont and Ustollic Haplargids on the basin floors and adjacent toeslopes. In places, soil fauna have obliterated argillic horizons by mixing A and B horizons. This causes a boundary between Argids and Orthids.}, keywords = {article, articles, geomorphology, also SEE , journal, journals, soil, argillic horizon, soil, boundaries, soil, calcic horizon, soil, cambic horizon, soil, classification, soil, petrocalcic horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile} } @article {52432, title = {Age and comparative development of desert soils at the Gardner Spring radiocarbon site, New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Proceedings}, volume = {32}, number = {5}, year = {1968}, note = {//USDA//NONE//}, month = {1968}, pages = {709-716}, abstract = {Radiocarbon ages have been obtained from seven buried charcoal horizons in a desert area of southern New Mexico. Several deposits of highly calcareous alluvium range in age from less than 1,100 to somewhat greater than 5,000 years and are therefore of Recent age. Pleistocene deposits much older than 5,000 years also occur. Pleistocene soils of adjacent topographic highs were a major source of the Recent sediments. Evidence in this area indicates that the present climate is warmer and drier than the Pleistocene pluvial climates. This change to a drier and warmer climate could have decreased the vegetative cover in places and started strong erosion of Pleistocene soils in these areas. The date charcoal also establishes a maximum, and in some instances a minimum age for several soils formed in the deposits. With increasing age of soil during Recent time, the progression of soil development appears to have been marked by development of a A horizon, destruction of thin sedimentary strata, slight accumulation of carbonate, development of structure in materials of sufficently fine texture, and, with continued carbonate accumulation, development of a weak calcic horizon. In contrast, soils of Pleistocene age can have distinct argillic horizons and strong horizons of carbonate accumulation. It is postulated that the wetter climates of Pleistocene pluvials, associated with greater vegetative cover and landscape stability, were required for development of argillic horizons in these highly calcareous parent materials.}, keywords = {article, articles, geomorphology, journal, journals, radiocarbon dating, soils, soil, age, soil, also SEE , soil, charcoal horizons, soil, classification, soil, development, soil, landscape, soil, radiocarbon dating, soil,paleosols}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley} } @article {52445, title = {Morphology of the argillic horizon in desert soils of southern New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science}, volume = {106}, number = {1}, year = {1967}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1967}, pages = {6-15}, abstract = {Reddish brown horizons of silicate clay accumulation occur in various desert soils of a study area stride the Rio Grande Valley of southern New Mexico (fig. 1). These horizons of clay accumulation are considered to be argillic horizons, although clay skins on ped surfaces and on pore walls are usually absent. Presence of clay skins on soil features that formed in place, such as peds, indicates clay movement subsequent to parent material deposition. Thus, clay skins demonstrate illuviation and are an important marker of an argillic horizon (15). In this desert area, however, clay skins must be waived as a requirement for argillic horizons. Instead, the features characteristic of the argillic horizon are coatings of oriented clay on sand grains and pebbles, or bodies of oriented clay within peds, or both. Illustrative soils have been selected to demonstrate the range in morphology of the argillic horizon as influenced by texture, authigenic carbonate, and soil age. Reasons for the absence of clay skins are discussed.}, keywords = {article, articles, geomorphology, argillic horizon, journal, journals, soil, argillic horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile and R. Grossman} } @article {52464, title = {Cambic and certain noncambic horizons in desert soils of southern New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Proceedings}, volume = {30}, year = {1966}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1966}, pages = {773-781}, abstract = {In a study area of southern New Mexico, horizons in the B position may be ordered in degrees of increasing development, and form and essentially continuous series closely related to age. No evidence of soil development is found in freshly deposited arroyo alluvium. Next in the development scale are horizons with some weak evidence of soil formation, but which are still too weakly developed to qualify as cabic horizons. With increasing age, cambic horizons and finally argillic horizons occur in the B position. The relationships of soil development to age are confounded in some older soils by such factors as soils truncation and soil mixing. Distinct cambic horizons have formed in soils that are less than about 5,000 years old. In various cambric horizons there has been sufficient alteration of the original parent material to destroy fine strata, form structure, develop redder color, redistribute carbonate, and accumulate slight amounts of silicate clay. Cambic horizons of old, polygenetic soils show evidence of prefound change in the B position since deposition of the parent materials and the start of soil formation. Argillic horizons apparently formed in some soils and were alter destroyed. some soils once had much thicker B horizons than they now have. The present climate of this desert regions is arid, but evidence of former glaciation and lakes indicates a climatic change. The present climate is apparently warmer and drier than the climates of Pleistocene pluvials. Soils formed mainly in the Pleistocene tend to have thicker, stronger horizons than do soils formed in the Recent; this is apparently caused in part by the Pleistocene pluvial climates.}, keywords = {article, articles, geomorphology, classification, journal, journals, soil, argillic horizon, soil, cambic horizon, soil, classification, soil, genesis}, author = {L. H. Gile} } @article {52462, title = {Morphological and genetic sequences of carbonate accumulation in desert soils}, journal = {Soil Science}, volume = {101}, number = {5}, year = {1966}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1966}, pages = {347-360}, abstract = {Horizons with authigenic carbonate are common soils of arid regions and are in many of these soils the most prominent horizon. In a previous paper (4) the K horizon was proposed for those carbonate horizons so strongly carbonate-impregnated that their morphology is determined by the carbonate. The carbonate accumulations in K horizons occur in a variety of macroscopic forms, and range in consistence from soft to extremely hard, but they all have a diagnostic fabric (the K-fabric) in which fine-grained carbonate coats or engulfs skeletal pebbles, sand , and silt grains as an essentially continuous medium. Thus, the K horizon concept includes many prominently carbonate-impregnated horizons, termed variously as caliche, desert crust, calcrete, or croute calcaire, but excludes numerous partially carbonate-impregnated soil horizons and conveys little idea of its won subhorizon sequences or genesis. In this paper, sequences of carbonate horizon morphologies apparently due to progressive carbonate accumulation, and apparently forming the genetic routes to formation of K horizons, are described and discussed.}, keywords = {article, articles, carbonate, horizon morphology, geomorphology, carbonate accumulation, journal, journals, soil, carbonate accumulation, soil, K horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile and F. F. Peterson and R. Grossman} } @article {52463, title = {Periodic sedimentation and soil formation on an alluvial-fan piedmont in southern New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Proceedings}, volume = {30}, number = {2}, year = {1966}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1966}, pages = {261-268}, abstract = {Gullies cut in alluvial-fan piedmont deposits at the southern end of the Jornada del Muerto basin, New Mexico, reveal evidence of periodic sedimentation and soil formation. The gullies show a succession of four major sediments, each of which has a distinct soil, indicating that each period of sediment deposition was followed by a period of stability and soil formation. The two youngest sediments are restricted primarily to a broad drainageway position and have soils with relatively weak B and carbonate horizons. The next older sediment, buried in the broad drainageway, has a soil that has prominent textural B and carbonate horizons and that emerges at the land surface on either side of the drainageway. Towards the basin axis the sediments thin and there is mergence of the land-surface soil with the oldest soil exposed in the gullies. The land-surface soils overlie much older soils and in places are so thin that the buried soils must be considered in classification of the land-surface soils. Gradual mergence zones of major sediments can conceal complexities greater than might be suggested by the generally smooth relief. Filling of channels in old sediments by younger sediments can cause prominent and abrupt soil changes no suggested by the smooth relief and uniform slope which crosses the soil boundaries. These phenomena are especially prevalent in and adjacent to drainageways an din areas of thinning of major sediments.}, keywords = {article, articles, geomorphology, alluvial-fan piedmont, geomorphology,sedimentation, geomorphology,soil formation, journal, journals, soil formation}, author = {L. H. Gile and J. Hawley} } @article {52478, title = {The K horizon: a master soil horizon of carbonate accumulation}, journal = {Soil Science}, volume = {69}, number = {2}, year = {1965}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1965}, pages = {74-82}, abstract = {The designation "K horizon" is proposed for soil horizons so strongly carbonate-impregnated that their morphology is determined by the carbonate. Though these horizons display a variety of macroscopic forms, and range in consistence from soft to extremely hard, they all have a peculiar and diagnostic soil fabric, the K-fabric. In material with K-fabric, fine-grained authigenic carbonate coats or engulfs skeletal pebbles, sand and silt grains as an essentially continuous medium. The material breaks down or is markedly softened by acid treatment. The designation K2 is proposed for carbonate horizons of 90 per cent or more, by volume of K-fabric, and K1 and K3 designations are proposed for upper and lower transitional horizon-containing 50 per cent or more of K-fabric. Other soil horizons containing carbonate accumulations are noted by the ca symbol in combination with the appropriate master horizon designation.}, keywords = {article, articles, carbonate, accumulation, geomorphology, carbonate accumulation, journal, journals, soil, carbonate, soil, K horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile and F. F. Peterson and R. Grossman} } @article {52511, title = {A classification of ca horizons in soils of a desert region, Dona Ana County, New Mexico}, journal = {Soil Science Society of America Proceedings}, volume = {25}, year = {1961}, note = {//LOCAL//NONE//}, month = {1961}, pages = {52-61}, abstract = {A ca horizon is defined in the Soil Survey Manual as an accumulation of calcium carbonate. Field study in Dona Ana County, New Mexico shows that ca horizons occur in soils on a variety of sediments and geomorphic surfaces. A broad fan piedmont extends from the Rio Grande Valley eastward to the igneous Organ Mountains. To the north there is a desert bolson. In soils on these surfaces and in paleosols underlying the fan piedmont, ca horizons occur and range from thin CaCO3 coatings on pebbles or few CaCO3 filaments to indurated horizons many feet thick. In soils of the study area, ca horizons have been classified as weak, moderate, strong and very strong. The classification is based on field morphology and pertinent laboratory data, including CaCO3 equivalent, particle size distribution, bulk density, unconfined compressive strength and infiltration rate.}, keywords = {article, articles, calcium carbonate ,classification, geomorphology,calcium carbonate horizon, journal, journals, soil, calcium carbonate horizon}, author = {L. H. Gile} }