Research Article | Published: 01 December 2012

Soil Mineralogical Investigations in Different Forest Stands of Nainital Forest Division, Uttarakhand

A. K. Raina

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 35 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 415-420 | 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2012-4HTLPC | Cite this article

Abstract

Mineralogy of fine sand and clay fractions at different locations in natural forests representing varied type of forest vegetation, parent material and altitude in Nainital, Ramgarh and Bhawali Range of Nainital Forest Division Uttarakhand was investigated. Light minerals constituted bulk of fine sand fractions and comprised quartz, feldspar and mica in order of their abundance. Heavy minerals contributed very small fraction and were dominated by opaque minerals followed by biotite, calcite, chloritized mica, garnet, zircon etc. The study suggests that quartz, tourmaline, opaque minerals and rutile were the resistant minerals. The most weatherable minerals were feldspar, biotite, mica, calcite, chloritized mica, hornblende etc. Clay fractions are characterized by micas and illite as the dominant clay mineral associated with appreciable amount of kaolinite and chlorite. The small amount of mixed layer silicate mineral, vermiculite, montimorillonite are also present in the clay fractions of these soils. Mineralogical composition showed that variations are mostly due to nature and composition of parent rock and degree of weathering stage. The study, therefore, indicates the presence of low to moderate amount of weatherable minerals suggesting their podzolic nature.

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How to cite

Raina, A.K., 2012. Soil Mineralogical Investigations in Different Forest Stands of Nainital Forest Division, Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Forestry, 35(4), pp.415-420. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2012-4HTLPC

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 December 2012

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