Genesis of argillic horizons in soils of the Charkiln Series, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada

Understanding the pedogenesis of argillic horizons in atypical parent materials and climates provides a valuable context for understanding traditional pedogenic interpretations. In this study I examine the genesis of argillic horizons in soils forming in alluvium dominated by quartzite (an atypical parent material for argillic horizons) in an arid to semi-arid climate (usually insufficient moisture to translocate clays). Using soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses with field soil mapping I examined whether the argillic horizons are currently forming and their potential source materials. Results suggest that argillic horizons formed from quartzite, limestone, and eolian dust. While mineralogy suggests soil weathering is minimal, A horizons are clay-depleted and B horizons contain actively forming channel argillans and clay accumulation; a lack of lithologic discontinuities also suggests the argillic horizons are not products of a past climate. This study's results provide new insight into argillic-horizon development in atypical parent materials and climates.