Cutans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cutans are the modification of the soil texture, or soil structure, at natural surfaces (particle, pore, or ped) in soil materials due to illuviation. Cutans are oriented deposits ^[1] which can be composed of any of the component substances of the soil material. ^[2] Cutans are common features in soil and represent focuses of chemical and biological reactions. Cutans may include clay skins or coatings of silica, sesquioxide, manganese, ferromanganese, soil organic matter or carbonate.^[3] Clay skins are also called argillans, and soil horizons with sufficient clay illuviation are termed argillic horizons.

[edit] Significance

Cutans provide physical evidence, observeable in the field, as to the degree and nature of pedogenesis. Understanding cutans is central to the scientific disciplnes of soil morphology and paleopedology.

[edit] See also

• Alfisols
• Soil profile

[edit] References

1. ^ Glossary of Soil Science Terms. Soil Science Society of America. Retrieved on November 10, 2006.
2. ^ Richard Drees. Pedological features. Retrieved on October 17, 2006.
3. ^ Jonathan Clark. Paleosols. Retrieved on October 17, 2006.