Fine Sand Mineralogy of some Selected Soils of Mussoorie forest Division of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Fine sand mineralogy of some selected horizons of the soils ofRaipurrange ofMussoorie Forest Division (Uttar Pradesh) were investigated. Light minerals constituted bulk of fine sand fractions and consisted of quartz, feldspar and mica (muscovite) in order oftheir abundance. Heavy minerals occurred in minute amounts and were dominated by opaque minerals, biotite, calcite, chloritised mica, zircon, garnet, hornblende, tourmaline and rutile. Differences in mineralogical make up were mostly associated with nature and composition of parent material and degree of weathering. The soils, in general, contained low to moderate amount of weatherable minerals indicating their podzolic nature and much less contribution of nutrients from minerals to the soil labile nutrient pool.