| Abstract: | A polycyclic Terra Rossa (Chromic Cambisol on Rhodic Nitisol) was studied with the aim of characterizing pedogenetic processes and relating the most evolved term of a previously defined catena with its parent material. Results obtained by field, chemical, micromorphological, sedimentological and mineralogical techniques evidenced how the profile was lithologically and pedologically discontinuous. While the lower part of the profile was related to the underneath limestone, the upper part showed evidence of allochthonous aeolian addition. From a pedogenetic point of view, the existence of two different kinds of processes was revealed. The deepest horizons exhibited fully expressed nitic properties and a strong kaolinitization, whereas the upper horizons were less weathered, showing only rubefaction and slight lessivage, while the formation and hydroxy-interlayering of vermiculite was the dominant process in the clay minerals. The study revealed that Terra Rossa can differ not only in age and parent material, but also in evolutive process, so that quite different, and even contrasting, products of the pedogenesis can be present. |
