From the Soil Micromorphology Slide Collection

Description of slide: The fabric consists of distinct organic laminae and lenticular pellets. In the slide there are isotropic organic laminae (dark central part of the micrograph). The laminae are quite visible in the wall section and are distinct on the gallery wall and within gallery fills. This indicates addition of organic matter to mound construction. Typical lenticular pellets are visible in the upper and lower part of the micrograph. The degree of welding and pressure direction determine the size of units. Different sizes and shapes may occur in the same part of the mound. Thin organic laminae are also present between lenticular pellets.

Data for the horizon
Horizon sampled: The wall of a Macrotermes subhyalinus mound. The fabric is made of soil material and may be fecal pellets.
Depth sampled: 120-140 cm
Physical and chemical data available: Particle size distribution: 1 1 % sand, 35% silt, and 54% clay; pH 6.8; organic carbon 0.92%; volume of pores larger than 12 um is about 1 1 .7%. 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: Plane polarized

Mermut, A. R., M. A. Arshad, and R. J. St. Arnaud. 1 984. 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 BF22. Soil Science Society of America, 1993. A Reference Slide Collection for Soil Micromorphology. SSA, Madison, WI.