INTERACTIVE COMPUTER PROGRAMME FOR DEMOSTRATION OF MICROMORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CLAY ILLUVIATION PROCESSES IN SOILS

J. Aguilar; J. Fernández; C. Dorronsoro
1 Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola. Facultad de Ciencias.Universidad de Granada.18002 Granada. Spain.

This program illustrates the micromorphological features resulting from the eluviation/illuviation processes, which are undoubtedly the most representative for the formation of the red mediterranean soils.

The program is divided into four parts:

1.- Classification
2.- Origin
3.- Stages
4.- Techniques of recognition

Each of these parts is presented in an interactive way and explains the different topics of the part under consideration.

In the part on classification following features are shown: coatings, hypo-coatings, infillings and fragments. All existing types are shown and subdivided according to their internal particle size and fabric; also illuviation features in calcareous materials are presented and discussed.

In the second part the origin of this process is visualized in a simple way.

In the part on stages the primary or aerobic illuviation is shown, the requirements to be fulfilled, even as the various components which accompany or may accompany the clay. Also the secondary or anaerobic illuviation (Fedoroff, 1974 (4)) is shown together with its requirements and expressions.

In the fourth part only the identification features, micromorphologically distinguishable, are shown and attention is paid to coatings on voids, aggregates and coarse grains.