Redoximorphic features explained

Redoximorphic features (RMFs) consist of color patterns in a soil that are caused by loss (depletion) or gain (concentration) of pigment compared to the matrix color, formed by oxidation/reduction of iron and/or manganese coupled with their removal, translocation, or accrual; or a soil matrix color controlled by the presence of iron (2+)^[1] The composition and responsible formation processes for a soil color or color pattern must be known or inferred before it can be described as an RMF.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Schoeneberger. P.J.. Wysocki. D.A.. Benham. E.C.. Soil Survey Staff. 2012. Field book for describing and sampling soils, Version 3.0. Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center.
2. H.V. Cabadas-Báez, S. Sedov, S. Jiménez-Álvarez, D. Leonard, B. Lailson-Tinoco, R. García-Moll, I. Ancona-Aragón, L. Hernández.. Soils as a Source of Raw Materials for Ancient Ceramic production in the Maya region of Mexico: Micromorphological insight. Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana. 70. 21–48. 10.18268/BSGM2018v70n1a2. 2018. free.