Opal phytoliths as indicators of paleosols

TitleOpal phytoliths as indicators of paleosols
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1967
AuthorsPease D.S
Number of Pages81
Date Published1967
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
KeywordsBouteloua eriopoda, dissertation, Ephedra trifurca, Hilaria mutica, Larrea, Muhlenbergia porter, Opuntia leptocaulis, Opuntia phaeacantha, paleosols, phytolith, Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, Pleuraphis mutica, Scleropogon brevifolius, Sporobolus flexuosus, thesis, Yucca elata
AbstractResearch was conducted to assess the usefulness of opal phytoliths (1) to identify paleosols and 2) to recreate vegetative histories and paleoclimates. Specimens of phytoliths were collected from five grass, five shrub, and three conifer species. The results show significant quantities of phytoliths from the aboveground portions of the grasses and black grama roots. There were smaller quantities of phytoliths in roots of other grasses, in yucca leaves, and in the conifer needles. Phytoliths were nearly lacking in the other shrubs. The occurrence of phytoliths was studied in the A horizons of six soils and in several horizons of four paleosols. The quantity of phytoliths in the A horizons ranged from 0.008 to 0.031 percent by weight. The quantity of phytoliths in the paleosols was small ranging from a trace to 0.001 percent. Wind movement and solution of clay size phytoliths, partial solution of larger phytoliths and mixing or the removal of the A horizons during deposition of new sediments are suggested as the causes of the paucity of phytoliths in paleosols.
URLNMSU Library System: Call no: S 1999 .P42 1967