Red Mediterranean soils in some karstic regions of taurus mountains, Turkey

Red soils are found along fractures and between bedding surfaces in karstic regions of both Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey. These soils are very unique and information on pedogenesis in karstic regions are rather limited. Detailed field works were carried out at 17 locations, soil profiles were examined at 14 sites, and 7 of these were reported here. Soil samples from theA and B horizons of these soils are used to detailed characterization analyses in the laboratory. Occurrence of normal soil profiles were unusual in the study regions. The fractured structure of limestone leads to unusual water and air circulation. When water penetrates into rock fissures and holes and diffuses into sedimentary layers, in situ weathering processes take place. Rock fissures and holes may also be filled in by the transport of soil materials from higher elevations. ntary petrology and mineralogy of limestones are the factors that control the course of the pedogenesis. Oxidation of Fe, especially sulfides (pyrite) accelerates the soil formation in limestones. Soils are not present on massive an fractured or fissured limestones, and thin and stony red soils are common only at the bottom parts of “V” shaped dolines. However, soils are thick and common within the materials that have alternating marl and sandy—silty layers, Vertical movement of soil particles towards the deeper parts of te limestone tkes place, as a result of the widening of the lapiés which are mostly formed along the fractures. f the red soils in the studied karstic regions were likely developed during the Tertiary and ot and humid periods of the Quaternary epochs. Large body of soils which are found in deep limestones suggest their formation under paleochimatic environments.