Palaeopedogenic features and their palaeoclimatological significance for the nevremont formation (Lower Givetian), the Northern Ardennes, Belgium

Abstract

The lower member of the Nèvremont Formation is characterized by the frequent occurrence of pedogenic features, which suggest intermittent exposure of the fluvial depositional environment.

The evidence for pedogenesis comprises horizons of calcite glaebules and nodular calcrete, haematite segregation, resulting in pronounced colour mottling, and the formation of palaeosolic root-horizons with root tubes, cutanic features, burrows and striotubules.

Based upon the presence of these features, it is suggested that the climate was semiarid. The source area of the quartz-rich parent clastic sediment was presumably subjected to intensive chemical weathering, resulting in mature quartzose sediments, with illite and kaolinite as dominant clay minerals.