Paleosols of the proterozoic basement roof of the Kursk magnetic anomaly area

This work represents the results of multidisciplinary study of paleosols from the weathered roof of Precambrian basement (Stary Oskol, Belgorod region). Shallow paleosols were developed from ferruginous shale and diagenetically modified weathering crust of ferruginous quartzite which led to its sideritization. At the studied location (quarry of the Stoilensky mining and processing plant) the age of weathering crust is pre-Devonian. Both rocks contain pyrite. Paleosols developed under similar primitive lithophytic vegetation. The studied paleosols are identified as in situ, biotic, of extreme pedogenesis. The trigger for their development was the pyritization. As a result, the chemical weathering prevailed under physical and biological ones. Both soils were attributed to acid-sulfate. Paleosols have not developed the continuous cover. The paleosols previously discovered in this area were developed from ferruginous quartzite and are also attributed to the acid-sulfate type. It seems that this soil type was widely distributed in the past.