Microtrenches and microridges on the accretive structural surfaces of some clayey soils

Abstract

Microtrenches (trenches up to 8 µm wide) and microridges (ridges up to 20 µm wide) have been observed during scanning electron microscopic studies of accretive structural pore surfaces in clayey soils. Microtrenches may form by the partial burial of hyphae during clay deposition followed by the lysis or removal of the hyphae, whereas microridges may be formed by complete burial of hyphae during clay deposition.