Soil Under a Microscope -Slide 61

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Special Features: Goethite

Iron crystallizes in soils as different minerals -- goethite (FeOOH₃), hematite (Fe₂O₃) -- and each with different shapes or habits. Goethite is most common and the micrographs show two different habits of the mineral. In (a) and (b), the habit is seen in void coatings or concretions of wet soils. In well drained soils (c) or in laterites a lenticular habit (d) may be observed.