Evaluation of selected soil development indices in soils derived from sedimentary and igneous rocks, northern Kerman

The present research performed to investigate soil evolution in soils developed on sedimentary and igneous parent materials, northern Kerman. Four representative pedons were selected. Physicochemical properties and Micromorphological features investigated in soil samples. The principal oxides content measured using ICP-OES. Color, clay accumulation, Fe content, and geochemical indices were used to assess soil development in the studied pedons. Studied profiles classified in Aridisols order and Calcite, Gypsic and Argillic horizons were dominant. Mean of pedogenic, free, crystalline, and active Fe contents were determined as 9.4, 0.5, 8.8 g/kg and 0.06, respectively. The values of clay and Fe accumulation indices were obtained 17 (in pedon 3) to 76.5 (in pedon 2) and 24344 (in pedon 2) to 2788 (in pedon 3), respectively. The results showed the correlation between Fe contents and color indices at the 99% level. The mean weight of principal oxides noticeably increased in pedons 1 and 3 compared to other studied pedons. All of geochemical indices, except WIP, showed higher weathering in pedons 1 and 3.The results of color, Fe oxides and clay accumulation and CIW, CIA, PWI, V, PIA, STI and R geochemistry indices demonstrated higher evolution of pedon 3 compared to other studied soils. No significant difference in development rate reated to parent materials change was found. Likely, various evolution of studied pedons was due to intractions among geochemical indices and soil-forming factors and processes.