FitzPatrick (1993) has compiled a set of reatures that may be observed in thin sections of soils. This classification and their definitions may be different than used by other researchers, but this list does give a good frame of reference of features. This is a difficult reference to summarize without repeating the entire text. Following is a brief listing. This book is in print and the reader should consult the book for examples, definitions, illustrations and further discussions on this topic.

MATRIX COMPONENTS:

Assemblage- The totality of all the soil components and features and their interrelationships, e.g., sand, silt, clay, organic matter, porosity, clay coatings, concentrations, etc.

Fabric- The arrangement, size, shape and frequency of the individual solid soil constituents within the soil as a whole and within individual features themselves.

Matrix- Material forming a more or less continuous phase and enclosing coarse components within the soil as a whole and within features themselves.

Structure- The spatial distribution and total organization of the soil system as expressed by the degree and type of aggregation and nature and distribution of the pores and pore space.

This page (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/programs/fitz.html) created by
Vera MacConnell, Research Technician, I on February 6, 1998.
Last Updated on February 6, 1998.