Paleosols, types and their characteristics in the Shurijeh Formation, Kopet- Dagh basin, NE

The Shurijeh Formation (Late Jurassic- Early Cretaceous) consists of siliciclastic facies in the southeastern and eastern parts of the Kopet- Dagh basin, whereas evaporate and carbonate strata are present in its facies succession toward central and western parts of the basin. In addition, various paleosols are identified in this formation that based on relative preference of pedogenic procecces, are classified into three classes including histosols, oxisols and calcisols. The Shurijeh Formation calcisols, based on mineralogical composition, are divided into calcretes and dolocretes and contain special macromorphology and micromorphology features. Based on macroscopic- microscopic properties (alpha and beta microfabrics), the Shurijeh calcretes are divided into pedogenic and non- pedogenic (ground water) types that are formed under different conditions. The Shurijeh Formation dolocretes, only found in one section (Esfidan section), and the mudstone host rocks, are probably non- pedogenic (ground water). Water table fluctuations with arid to semiarid climatic conditions are caused calsisols creation in the Shurijeh Formation.