From the Soil Micromorphology Slide Collection

Description of slide: Spheroidal pellets made by M. herus termite species to protect the mound. Central pellet is built from subsoil material, the darker pellets contain more opaque volcanic materials. All the pellets have relatively few skeleton grains most of which are unweathered.
There is a distinct plasma separation around the pellets (vosepic or porostriated b-fabric). Several sesquioxidic nodules with sharp boundaries were found within the pellets. Pores that are created by welding of pellets are typically mammilated metavughs.

Data for the horizon
Horizon sampled: Outer crust of termite mound. Pellets are made of material from the solum and C horizon.
Depth sampled: 0-2 cm
Physical and chemical data available: Particle size distribution: 1 1 % sand, 27% silt, and 60% clay; pH 7.3; organic carbon 0.93%; pores larger than 12 urn is about 13.4%. See reference for more information.

Data for thin section
Preparation of sample: Air dry
Impregnating medium: Vestopal-1 50
Thickness of section: 25 µm

Soil Classification
F.A.O.: Humic Cambisol

Elevation: 1402 m
Parent material: Tertiary volcanics
Soil climatic data and/or soil water balance: Mean annual temperature 230C; mean annual precipitation 600 mm
Vegetation: Acacia shrubs

Data for 35-mm slide
Frame length: See bar scale on slide
Light mode: Cross polarized

Mermut, A. R. , M. A. Arshad, and R. J. St. Arnaud. 1984. Micropedological study of termite mounds of three species of macrotermes in Kenya. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 48: 613-620.
Source - A. R. Mermut

Slide BF21. Soil Science Society of America, 1993. A Reference Slide Collection for Soil Micromorphology. SSSA, Madison, WI.