Abstract

Weathering is extensively utilized for pedospheric data that helps in understanding genetic relationships and soil characteristics to address environmental challenges. In this study, six representative soil profiles from the Nellore schist belt were analyzed for their morphology, physical properties, chemical makeup, and elemental composition. These soils, located on the rolling peneplains of the Somasila project, exhibit a red to dark reddish-brown matrix with clay-rich argillic/cambic horizons, characterized by an Ap-Bt/Bw sequence along with compact ferruginous gravels and laterite. The depth trends of redness ratings and CIELab values in moist conditions are significantly higher than in dry conditions, but they show a decreasing trend with profile depth. Additionally, am demonstrates a strong positive correlation with redness rating (Torrent) at 0.73** in moist conditions and 0.83** in dry conditions, while showing a moderate positive correlation with clay at 0.57*. In Venkateswapalem (P2) and Venkatachalam (P3), there is an increase in clay by more than 1.2 times in the B horizons, indicating argillic characteristics, yet the silt to clay ratio exceeds 0.15, suggesting a young soil with a high degree of weathering potential. These soils are slightly acidic to neutral, exhibiting low organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable bases, resulting in a base saturation of over 60%, categorizing them under the subgroups of Inceptisols and Alfisols. The high molar ratios of Si-Al-Fe indicate a non-lateritic nature; however, the ternary diagram along with IOL/CIA suggests that these soils are kaolinitized with an advanced stage of laterization, reflecting significant base loss and accumulation of Fe-Al oxides. Correlation results revealed a strong significant relationship between Kornberg-A and PI (r=0.92**), as well as a high positive correlation between CIA and WI (r=0.86**). The findings indicate that two clusters are classified within the subgroups of Entisols, Inceptisols, and Alfisols, exhibiting a high degree of weathering influenced by topographic position, which directly affects weathering intensities.

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