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Calcretes formed over bedrock such as Precambrian hornblende-chlorite schist, rhyolite and carbonaceous phyllites in Western Rajasthan, India, were studied for their mineralogical composition and geochemistry. They form a distinct element of the Quaternary landscape of Western Rajasthan, India. The study area is located within the Nagaur-Churu-Jaipur tract of Western Rajasthan. The purpose of this study was to determine the processes governing the development of hardpan calcretes, and to evaluate the local and regional controls on their formation.

Micromorphology included pedogenetic and groundwater features within the hardpan calcretes. Thickening of calcite laminae downward and tapering at the sideward edges around the unweathered minerals of quartz and feldspars indicated cumulative and compound pedogenesis, which probably occurred locally, and downward movement of carbonate solution and pore water. Carbonate solutions were probably derived from the upper horizons or surfaces bringing about the process of dissolution and recementation of individual laminae. Occurrence of fibrous palygorskite as coatings around the detrital grains and siderite (oolitic and pisolitic in shape) points to a subalkaline-subacidic process of pedogenesis in a semi-arid to and climate. Stable delta(13)C and delta(18)O isotope data of the hardpan calcrete laminae vary between 0.3parts per thousand to 1.5parts per thousand and -5.9parts per thousand. and -1.5parts per thousand, respectively indicating their formation at or near surface (capillary fringe), probably supporting a thin column of soil. The source of most of the calcite is groundwater; however, calcite nodule formation was largely dependent on pedogenic processes associated with evaporation, evapotranspiration and /or microenvironmental changes in pH and CO2 partial pressure. Dust is also a major source for carbonate precipitation. Although it is commonly assumed that the powdery calcretes are younger in age compared to the more complex forms, the occurrence of Middle Palaeolithic tools below the hardpan calcrete at Roopangarh and Dayalpura, and above the hardpan calcretes at Mitri, Genana and Rol, indicates that the morphology of calcretes is not a reliable indicator of age. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.