Comparative Petrology of Pedogenic Carbonates from Quaternary Deposits of Kashmir and Rajasthan

The purpose of this study is to compare pedogenic carbonates which have accumulated in varying climatic conditions in Quaternary deposits of North India. The pedogenic horizons sampled for the purpose are from the dunal/interdunal tract of parts of Rajasthan and from the Upper Karewa sub-Group of Kashmir valley. These pedogenic carbonates reveal an overall preponderance of micrite in both the situations. Similarity in the form of presence of voids and floating textures is also observed. The pedogenic carbonates of the Upper Karewa SUb-Group show a greater degree of corrosion and replacement indicating a more reactive microchemical environment. The presence of ferroan calcite in the pedogenic carbonates of Kashmir and its absence in those of Rajasthan further bears out the reducing character of the palaeoenvironment of the carbonate layer underlying the loess in the Kashmir valley.