Optmine
The properties of minerals observed through the petrographic microscope.
Explore the soil beneath the microscope
A collection of learning resources on soil micromorphology, mineral identification and soil genesis, with practical tools and visual materials for studying soils.
Microscopy course
Comprehensive course on soil microscopy
Description and interpretation of soils under the microscope
Micromorphography
Soil description under the microscope.
Micromorphology
Soil interpretation under the microscope.
Virtual microscope
Large navigable microscopic images.
Formation processes
Soil genesis
Processes, features and mineral evidence in soils
Soil carbonatation
Concepts, processes, and the macro- and micromorphology of carbonates in soils.
Clay illuviation
Genesis, stages, factors and recognition at macro- and microscopic levels.
Hydromorphy
Concepts, characteristics and stages of hydromorphy, including paleohydromorphy.
Coarse sand mineralogy
The minerals in coarse soil sands and their interpretation.
Additional resources
Pages in Spanish with useful information
Visual collections and reference materials
Fine sands
A comprehensive collection of minerals from the fine sands of soils.
Rocks under the microscope
Representative images of common rocks and their mineral composition.
Thin sections from Kubiena's collection
Digitized thin sections prepared by Dr. Kubiena at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Physiology.
Thin sections from Benayas's collection
A selection of slides studied by Dr. Josefina Benayas during her career.