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Caliche
CalicheCaliche and calcrete are obsolete terms for well-developed calcic horizons that are common to soils in arid and semi-arid areas, and which are now known to soil scientists and geomorphologists as Bk or K horizons. Caliche is also a colloquial term that has many different uses among miners in Spanish speaking countries. Calcic horizons form by the gradual precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and, to a lesser extent, magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) within the B horizon of a soil and follow several well-documented stages of development ranging from I to VI. Stage I calcic soil horizons consist of partial carbonate coatings over the bottoms of gravel particles in the B horizons of coarse grained soils and thin carbonate filaments in the B horizons of fine grained soils. By stage III, carbonate is continuous throughout the zone of accumulation, and the zone of carbonate accumulation is known as the K horizon. Stages IV through VI are characterized be complete carbonate cementation of the former soil and, ultimately, brecciation. These most highly developed calcic horizons are sometimes referred to as petrocalcic because of their rock-like nature, and often form cap rocks atop bluffs and escarpments in arid to semi-arid regions such as the southwestern United States. The primary source of carbonate in calcic soils is atmospheric, both as carbonate rich dust and rainwater that percolates through the soils carrying dissolved bicarbonate ions. In rare cases, calcic horizons can be formed by other processes such as the upward wicking of carbonate-rich water from shallow water tables. Gypsic or halic soils are formed in arid environments when gypsum (CaSO4 · H2O) or halite (NaCL) are precipitated instead of carbonates. Rates of soil development are controlled by many factors, so universal conclusions about the time required to form calcic soil horizons cannot be drawn. Studies in southern New Mexico have shown, however, that Stage I calcic soils can be hundreds to thousands of years old, State II calcic soils can be thousands to tens of thousands of years old, and Stage III and higher calcic soils can be tens to hundreds of thousands of years old. See also Breccia; Desert and desertification; Limestone; Soil and soil horizons |
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"Caliche." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Caliche." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800093.html "Caliche." World of Earth Science. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800093.html |
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caliche
caliche(calcrete) A carbonate horizon (the K horizon) formed in a soil in a semi-arid region, under conditions of sparse rainfall (20–60 mm/yr) and a mean annual temperature of about 18°C, normally by the precipitation of calcium carbonate carried in solution. The soil profile develops over several thousand years, initially in the form of nodules (glaebules), more mature caliches taking a massive, laminar form. It may become cemented and indurated on exposure, when it gives rise to a tabular landscape. See also calcic horizon; duripan; and petrocalcic horizon.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-caliche.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-caliche.html |
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caliche
caliche (calcrete) Carbonate horizon (the K horizon) formed in a soil in a semiarid region, under conditions of sparse rainfall (20–60 mm/yr) and a mean annual temperature of about 18 °C, normally by the precipitation of calcium carbonate carried in solution. The soil profile develops over several thousand years, initially in the form of nodules (glaebules), more mature caliches taking a massive, laminar form. It may become cemented and indurated on exposure, when it gives rise to a tabular landscape. See also CALCIC; DURICRUST; DURIPAN; and PETROCALCIC.
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Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-caliche.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-caliche.html |
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caliche
caliche (calcrete) A carbonate horizon (the K horizon) formed in a soil in a semiarid region, under conditions of sparse rainfall (20–60 mm/yr) and a mean annual temperature of about 18°C, normally by the precipitation of calcium carbonate carried in solution. It may become cemented and indurated on exposure, when it gives rise to a tabular landscape. See also CALCIC HORIZON; DURIPAN; and PETROCALCIC HORIZON.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-caliche.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "caliche." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-caliche.html |
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caliche
caliche
•Apache, catchy, patchy, scratchy, snatchy
•hibachi, Karachi, Liberace, starchy, vivace
•sketchy, stretchy, tetchy
•squelchy • Strachey
•caliche, Campeche, peachy, preachy, screechy
•bitchy, itchy, kitschy, pitchy, Richie, titchy, twitchy
•Medici • semplice
•blotchy, bocce, notchy, splotchy
•grouchy, pouchy, slouchy
•sotto voce, viva voce
•Bertolucci, smoochy, Vespucci
•archduchy, duchy, touchy
•churchy
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Cite this article
"caliche." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "caliche." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-caliche.html "caliche." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-caliche.html |
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