Clay mineralogy fingerprinting of loess-mantled soils on different underlying substrates in the south-western Poland

Loess may be integrated into slope deposits at different soil depths and influence related physical, chemical mineralogical properties. Therefore, tracking the border between deposited loess underlying materials estimating depth of penetration is a challenge. Five soils from Lower Silesia province in south-western Poland having types geologic substrate being covered by various thicknesses were chosen to: 1) trace origin phyllosilicates these heterogeneous (loess vs. bedrock); 2) determine mantle on clay mineral transformation soil; 3) relate traits to morphology. The consisted long-distance local aeolian sources as shown Ti/Zr ratios heavy composition. Geochemical traces easily detected mixed zone part also basal layer. are characterised mica, chlorite, kaolinite, interstratified mica-vermiculite or hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite, vermiculite minor amount smectite. Aeolian silt admixture was an important source chlorite all sites. vertical distribution mica indicated two — input substrate. Smectite, however, has mostly been inherited bedrock (serpentinite, glacio-fluvial basalt sediment) formed chlorite. Where present loess, smectite only found small amounts. presence HIV layered could derived either neoformation thus actively occurring (trans)formation reactions. Similar both geological widespread this region rejuvenated formation process, evidenced their