Patrimonio edáfico de la Región de Murcia. Paleosuelos con horizonte árgico

Abstract

This paper presents a relict soil, formed in different climatic conditions than the current ones, which was developed from a metamorphic material. It is characterized by being formed by a series of edaphic horizons (A1-A2-2BtA-2Bt-2BtCk-2Ck), highlighting the horizon Bt of accumulation of clays and iron oxides in the form of hematites that give this soil its red color characteristic. It has been classified as a Thapto Luvic Kastanozem (Chromic, Endoclayic) (IUSS, 2015). It is a polycyclic soil, since it shows two different cycles of evolution. The processes that have suffered in the old cycle have been a decarbonation, debasification, ilimerization, and flushing. Subsequently it was partially eroded and new materials deposited on it, which give rise to the current horizon A. These studies can contribute to the knowledge of paleoclimatic con- ditions throughout history, so that these paleosols can be considered as objective indicators with a high patrimonial value.