THE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC MORPHOLOGY OF QUARTZ IN SELECTED SOILS FROM ALBERTA

Abstract

This study compared the surface morphology of quartz grains from A and C horizons of a Chernozem, Luvisol and a Solonetz. Observations and chemical determinations were based on scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis of fine sand separates. Features indicative of glacial and eolian transport, physical weathering by low energy subaqueous impact, and chemical dissolution and silica precipitation dominated surface characteristics. Most surface morphological features were of an inherited origin since they were common to solum and parent material samples. Quartz dissolution features were not uniquely associated with solum samples and apparently not of pedogenic origin. Key words: Scanning electron microscopy, quartz, pedogenesis, surface morphology, weathering classification