The pedogenesis of desert loam soils in the Barrier Range, western New South Wales. I. Soil parent materials

Abstract

The particle-size distribution, silt (63-20 µm) mineralogy and micro-morphological properties of three desert loam soils developed over contrasting rock types are examined. The silt mineral assemblages in the soils contain more weatherable minerals and are more varied than those of the underlying rocks. Round to subround clayey pellets constitute the majority of the soil materials. Such pellets are probably aeolian in origin and are similar to clayey pellets originating in dried-out, saline lake beds elsewhere in southern Australia. The combination of aeolian silts and clays in the desert loam soils indicate that the soil parent materials are primarily transported aeolian deposits.