Re: What is Saprolite?

Thank you,

indeed Saprolite is a general term for weathered bedrock in geosciences, but according to "soil standard", we need a more detailled definition with treshold diagnostics.

In my reflexion, the "entry door" into the Solum is the Cambic horizon where one of the principal diagnostics is the occurence of a pedic structure (> 50 %) compare to Rock structure. So the ratio Pedic VS Rock is for me the most relevant diagnostic.

Hence, I suggested that "below" Cambic we have 4 materials Saprolithic, Regolithic, Paralithic and Lithic.

Honestly, ST influence me greatly for the definition of Paralithic, thank's to you US ;-)

Saprolithic and Regolithic materials are the 2 faces of the same coin, only genesis differs (more or less the same characteristics: loose, occurence of roots in the matrix) burt saprolithic is a continuum with below Rock whereas Regolithic presents a lithologic discontinuity.

Paralithic and Lithic are real rocky material but I have chosen to separate them according to rooting, as it is essential for critical zone studies.

I hope my suggestions can help you.

Cheers