LITHOLOGY

Lithology refers to hard and loose rocks and deposits of various stages of continental lithogenesis, which form the surface layer involved in active daily and annual thermo-hydrologic cycles. These rocks and deposits contribute matter to the turnover of biogeochemical processes and soil formation, and deliver substances transported by runoff.

The lithogenic basis constitutes parent rocks from which soils arise. These rocks form a layer of the geological hard and/or loose rocks, which is the underlying soil profile and is not influenced by soil-forming processes. Many studies have been carried out to distinguish the characteristics of parent rocks from those of soils. Thus the chemical and mineralogical composition of parent rocks, which plays an important role in ecosystems functioning, is well-known. More Details...

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General Characteristics
  Parent Rocks
  Texture