The forming process of the peculiar Mn-mottling in the polder

In the subsurface horizons of some paddy fields at the Kojima polder, Okayama Prefecture, the authors noticed a peculiar Mn-mottling, which had not been found in the common paddy fields. Several paddy soils in varying stages of maturity were carefuIIy surveyed at the Kojima polder. The soils were tentatively named OK4, OK7, OKS, and OK9. The ages of the fields after reclamation were about 10, 100, 150, and 250 years, respectively. Undisturbed samples were collected from 3 soils (OK4, OK7, and OKS) for microscopic observation and chemical analysis.