Perturbation (geology)

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Perturbation is a term relating to changes in the nature of alluvial deposits over time. Pedoturbation refers to perturbation that is not caused by illuviation. In clay soils, the changes in humidity cause expansions and contractions which severely deform the alluvial accumulations. On other occasions, it is the neoformation of pedological compounds, as in the case of carbonate precipitation, that causes the fragmentation and disorganisation of the clay coatings. Biotic activity is also an important cause of perturbation. Cryoclastia can affect the conservation of illuvial accumulations in cold climates.