Groundmass Composition and Fabric

Abstract In contrast to pedofeatures, whose significance has been discussed in many micromorphological studies, the nature of the groundmass has been largely neglected as a source of information about soil development. In this chapter, the interpretation of groundmass characteristics is reviewed, covering the coarse fraction, micromass and b-fabrics, as well as orientation and distribution patterns, followed by a section dealing with quantification. Information about the characteristics, occurrence and alteration of the most common minerals occurring as part of the coarse fraction is provided in an Annex, illustrated by thin section photographs.