Rhizolithic Calcrete in Teris, Southern Tamil Nadu: Origin and Paleoenvironmental Implications
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Rhizoliths are presumed to be formed by surface weathering and pedogenic processes in the vadose zone. The pedogenesis of host teri sands might have released ca2+ ions and were later deposited in the ischolar_main cavities formed by the decay and complete removal of the tissues of ischolar_mains. Another source of ca2+ would be the calcareous sediments which underlies part of the teris. The absence of ischolar_main anatomy is a characteristic feature of these rhizoliths.
A sample of rhizolith collected at Sattankulam at a depth of 2.5 m gave a 14c age of 3680±110 years B.P. Hence, semiarid conditions of the present day in the Teri tract of southern Tamil Nadu, should have set in at least as way back as 3680±110 yr. B.P.
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