Decomposition sphere

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The decomposition sphere describes the global weathering mantle of the earth. A rarely used synonym is hypopedosphere .

A distinction should be made between the sphere of decomposition in the narrower sense (i. E. S.) and the sphere of decomposition in the broader sense (i. W. S.):

  1. Decomposition Sphere i. e. S .: Exclusively those parts of the global weathering mantle that have previously been weathered by living beings without any activity. Accordingly, it is the purely abiotic weathered cover layers ( regolith ) over the pending . These top layers do not yet bear any traces of biotic weathering . In the decomposition sphere i. e. S. there is therefore no humus and no organic complex compounds.
  2. Decomposition Sphere i. w. S .: All parts of the global weathering mantle. So those top layers also belong to it that have already been weathered with the help of living things. Accordingly, it concerns both the purely abiotic weathered cover layers, as well as the abiotic and biotically weathered cover layers over the pending. To the decomposition sphere i. w. S. therefore also belong to the soils of the pedosphere .

Decomposition Sphere i. e. S. and Pedosphere

Both in the pedosphere and in the decomposition sphere i. e. S. weathering processes take place. In the site inspection, however , both earth spheres can easily be kept apart. Because between them there is a clearly recognizable, petrological difference:

  • In the decomposition sphere i. e. S. the structure of the weathering rocks is still largely preserved. Their decomposition takes place mainly in the form of fractures.
  • In contrast, in the pedosphere, the parent rocks have already been completely changed. Humus is also found.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Louis H, Fischer K: Allgemeine Geomorphologie . Berlin, 1979: 132
  2. ^ Maximovich GA: Porosity of Geospheres . In: Comptes rendus de l'Académie des sciences de l'URSS 37 (1942): 217
  3. ↑ a b c Büdel J: Review of Brinkmann's "Abriß der Geologie, 1st volume" . In: Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 20 (1976): 510