This comprehensive reference on the fundamentals of regolith science describes how regolith is developed from parental rocks and emphasises the importance of chemical, physical, water and biological processes in regolith formation. It provides details for mapping regolith landforms, as well as objective information on applications in mineral exploration and natural resource management. Regolith Science also provides a concise history of weathering through time in Australia. It includes previously unpublished information on elemental abundances in regolith materials along with detailed information on soil degradation processes such as in acid sulfate soils. Written by experts in the field, Regolith Science summarises research carried out over a 13 year period within the Cooperative Research Council for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration. Regolith Science will be a valuable resource for scientists and graduate/postgraduate students in geology, geography and soil science, and for professionals in the exploration industry and natural resources management.
1 Introduction Keith M. Scott and Colin F. Pain
2 Regolith through time Brad Pillans
3 Landscape and regolith Graham Taylor
4 Regolith mineralogy Richard A. Eggleton
5 Regolith geochemistry Kenneth G. McQueen
6 Rock weathering and structure of the regolith Kenneth G. McQueen and Keith M. Scott
7 Geomicrobiology of the regolith Frank Reith, Mira Durr, Susan Welch and Stephen L. Rogers
8 Regolith and biota John Field and David Little
9 Regolith geophysics Tim Munday
10 Regolith and water Richard G. Cresswell and Paul Shand
11 Regolith description and mapping Colin F. Pain
12 Soils and natural resource management Robert W. Fitzpatrick
13 Regolith sampling for geochemical exploration Charles R.M. Butt, Keith M. Scott, Matthias Cornelius and Ian D.M. Robertson
14 Extraterrestrial regolith Jonathan D.A. Clarke
Index
"The book will be of enormous assistance to those of us who need to know regolith science, or, dare I say, geology, to unravel the subtle geochemical and geophysical anomalies in our data sets. [...] All in all this is a well-written book with a wealth of up to date information – personal experience with it suggests it needs to be read a few times to absorb all within it. It is a must purchase for AIG members who intend to remain at the coal face of modern mineral exploration – field work."
- L. Hissink, AIG News, No. 95, February 2009, p.27
"Regolith science provides a comprehensive discussion of regolith [...] It would well sit on the bookshelf of university libraries as well as mineral exploration companies."
- Paul Morris, Economic Geology, Vol. 104, 2009, p. 598