SOIL STRATIGRAPHY AND QUATERNARY CALICHE IN THE MISIS AREA OF THE ADANA BASIN, SOUTHERN TURKEY

A section at Kizildere in the Misis-Adana Basin of Turkey reveals rela tions among mature massive caliche (calcrete) and paleosolic immature caliche and the Tertiary clay (the Handere Formation) and colluvial de posits. It also defines a gradational sequence from unweathered Tertia ry clay deposits to massive caliches. From older to younger, the secti on comprises: Tertiary clays, paleosolic caliche, colluvial material, massive caliche, and lenticular caliche. The two massive caliche beds have similar assemblages of carbonate minerals, whereas the paleosolic caliche contains more clay minerals and most probably represents an e arlier stage of massive caliche formation. The variability of types of calcite, the quantity and crystallisation state of palygroskite, and the presence of kaolinite and degraded smectite all support the view t hat the massive caliche is the end product of a degradation sequence f rom the Tertiary clay deposit to paleosolic caliche, and the lenticula r caliche is the well-known petrocalcic horizon.