Depth to gypsic horizon as a proxy for paleoprecipitation in paleosols of sedimentary environments

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2010 Depth to gypsic horizon as a proxy for paleoprecipitation in paleosols of sedimentary environments Gregory J. Retallack; Gregory J. Retallack 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chengmin Huang Chengmin Huang 2Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Sichuan, 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Gregory J. Retallack 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Chengmin Huang 2Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Sichuan, 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 08 Jul 2009 Revision Received: 18 Nov 2009 Accepted: 23 Nov 2009 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2010 Geological Society of America Geology (2010) 38 (5): 403–406. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30514.1 Article history Received: 08 Jul 2009 Revision Received: 18 Nov 2009 Accepted: 23 Nov 2009 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Gregory J. Retallack, Chengmin Huang; Depth to gypsic horizon as a proxy for paleoprecipitation in paleosols of sedimentary environments. Geology 2010;; 38 (5): 403–406. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30514.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Pedogenic accumulations of crystals and nodules of gypsum are common in desert soils, especially extreme deserts such as the Atacama Desert, Chile. Some soils with both pedogenic gypsum and calcite have the gypsic (By) horizon below the calcic (Bk) horizon. Here we present a compilation of 88 gypsic soils from around the world to derive a relationship (R2 = 0.63, standard error = ±129 mm) between depth to the By horizon (D, in centimeters) and mean annual precipitation (P, in millimeters) as follows: P = 87.593e0.0209D. This relationship can be used to derive paleoprecipitation estimates from paleosols, once depth to the gypsic horizon is corrected for compaction due to overburden. Application of this technique to Early Permian paleosols near Gilliland, Texas, confirms paleoprecipitation estimates in the same sequence derived from depth to the calcic horizon. Barite is another sulfate mineral that forms nodular horizons in paleosols, but not in modern soils. Miocene paleosols in Panama with both calcareous and barite nodules suggest that this weakly soluble salt forms at levels in paleosols unlike those of either pedogenic carbonate or gypsum. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.