From the Soil Micromorphology Slide Collection

Micromorphological description of slide: A vertical zoogenic tube (or tunnel) of about 4 mm diameter seen under binocular microscope. The tube is entirely coated by termites. The coating is smooth, cemented, and dark colored. At the top there are several fecal pellets which are becoming an integral part of the coating, suggesting that they are used to cement the surface of the tubes.

Horizon sampled: The nursery part of a Microtermes herus mound
Depth sampled: 60-80 cm
Physical and chemical data available: Particle size distribution: 28% sand, 29% silt, and 43% clay; pH 7.9; organic carbon 0.72%. See reference for more information.
Micromorphological description of horizon: See reference

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

Soil Classification
F.A.O.: Orthic Ferralsol

Elevation: 1345 m
Parent material: Precambrian granite
Soil climatic data and/or soil water balance: Mean annual temperature 22 0 C mean annual precipitation 1 280 mm
Vegetation: Cultivated land, mostly maize

Data for 35-mm slide
Magnification/Frame length: See bar scale on slide
Light mode: Binocular microscope

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: 61 3-620.
Source - A. R. Mermut

Slide BF25. Soil Science Society of America, 1993. A Reference Slide Collection for Soil Micromorphology. SSSA, Madison, WI.