MIKROMORFOLOGIA UTWORÓW PYŁOWYCH W PROFILU KOŃCZYCE (KOTLINA OŚWIĘCIMSKA)

Abstract

MICROMORPHOLOGY OF THE SILT SEDIMENTS AT THE KOŃCZYCE PROFILE (KOTLINA OŚWIĘCIMSKA)Abstract. The paper presents the results of micromorphological analyses concerning the 6 m thick series of silty material constituting the upper part of the profile of the Quaternary sediments exposed in the gravel pit at Kończyce in the southern part of Oświęcim Basin. The aim of the study was an attempt to investigate if any buried soil horizons occur in the profile. The micromorphological analyses were performed on thin sections made from undisturbed soil samples representing horizons that varied macroscopically. The occurrence of clay coatings of different development and preservation was observed. The coatings represent three illuviation zones, including the contemporaneous, Holocene soil. Numerous effects of the action of Pleistocene frost processes were described. Prominent and common effects of the action of redox processes, probably simultaneous with pedogenesis, were also described. In the light of the presented results, it seems possible to state that two generations of buried Albeluvisols can be observed in the profile. Due to the strong influence of gleyic and diagenetic processes, the determination of the age of paleosols in the studied profile is difficult and calls for further research.