An optical, scanning electron microscopic and microanalytical study of cementation in some podzols

The nature of a strongly cemented horizon occurring in a soil profile at Lochend Farm on the shores of Loch Leven has been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis, and comparisons have been made with more weakly cemented B_h horizons of two other podzol profiles developed on sands and gravels. Under the optical microscope the monomorphic organic coatings present on skeleton grains in the cemented horizons of all three profiles appear similar. Of the elements detectable by microanalysis, Al is dominant in all the coatings whereas a low Fe and relatively high Ca content is characteristic only of the Lochend material.