Abstract This study characterized the physical, chemical, macro- and micromorphological soil properties from three successive marine terrace levels from Harmony Point (Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctica) in order to understand the pedological signatures of Quaternary coastal landscape evolution of Maritime Antarctica. Soils were sampled on the Late Holocene beach (current beach) and Mid Holocene marine terraces higher up, at 3, 8, and 12 m a.s.l. At the lower levels, the predominant soils were Gelorthents, whereas Haplogelepts dominate the higher terraces. Soil properties are mostly influenced by parent material and faunal activity, in which cryoclastic (thermal weathering) and phosphatization are the main soil-forming processes. Soils from the upper levels are more developed, deeper with reddish colors, granular structures and incipient formation B horizon. These horizonation features highlight that soils vary according with age of glacier-isostatic terrace uplift, representing a Quaternary soil chronosequence. All marine terrace levels are Ornithogenic soils, at varying degrees. However, the presence of old bird nesting sites for long periods led to formation of phosphatic horizons, stable Fe-phosphate minerals and abundant vegetation in the highest terraces of this part of Maritime Antarctica.

ABSTRACT: In this study, the crystallization dynamics and the fingerprints of two topaz crystals from the Ouro Preto region (Brazil), two from the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province (EBPP), one from the Western part of the United States (US) and one from Pakistan were characterized. The combination of scanning electron microscope-cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data allowed for the characterization of these samples. Samples from the Ouro Preto region showed primary crystallization and recrystallization processes, which were demonstrated by a CL-heterogeneous core and CL-homogeneous rims in the SEM-CL images. Their fingerprint was composed of Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn. Samples from the EBPP showed both dark and CL-homogeneous SEM-CL images, implying slow and late-stage crystallization, typical of pegmatites. Their fingerprints were composed of Li, Nb, LREE, Ta and W, and of Ti, Nb and HREE. A sample from a Western part of the US displayed CL-heterogeneity with growth and resorption events and well-preserved growth zones, which were noticeable through the SEM-CL images. Its fingerprint was composed of Li, Ti, V, Mn, Nb, LREE, Ta and W. A sample from Pakistan showed an evident metamorphic recrystallization process, which was visible by the incipient and CL-homogeneous luminescence given by the SEM-CL images. Its fingerprint was composed of Ca, Cr, V, Zn, LREE, HREE and W.