PICO
Micromorphology is an irreplaceable tool that provides access to multiple characteristics of soils and sediments to deepen our knowledge on both long- and short-term soil and landscape dynamics in time. W. Kubiëna, who introduced the method of micromorphological analysis, stated that “a crushed or pulverized soil is related to the soil formed by nature like a pile of debris to a demolished building”. In fact, the micromorphological analysis of undisturbed samples is fundamental for a holistic architectural approach to the study of soil genesis and soil functions, and recently it is increasingly advocated as an advanced framework in studies of soil genesis, behavior and functions. Moreover, this method uniquely enables the detection of faint traces of initial and/or weakly developed soil processes and the direct reconstruction of sequences of both natural and anthropogenic soil and sedimentary processes over time.
After more than 80 years of method’s application it retained its key role in studies of soils diversity, soil genesis and behavior in space and time, but also has advanced to new methodological and technological frontiers. During last decades, micromorphology evolved from a primarily descriptive method into an increasingly quantitative technique, allowing wider application, shorter analysis time and higher replicability. Possibilities of working with stored digital images without access to a microscope further increases the accessibility of micromorphological analysis, while collections of thin sections preserve records of sites and samples that may no longer be accessible.
The session is open to but not limited to contributions on the application of micromorphological analysis as one of the proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstructions in soil-sedimentary archives, studies of soil genesis, and, most importantly, as a tool to identify and understand human impacts in modern and archeological contexts. We particularly welcome contributions highlighting methodological innovations in micromorphology.