Deposition and taphonomy of earthworm granules in relation to their interpretative potential in Quaternary stratigraphy

Calcium carbonate granules up to 2.5 mm in size are commonly found in Quaternary soils and sediments but have only rarely been used for any form of interpretation. Growing interest in recent years has focused on the concentration patterns in stratigraphy containing buried land surfaces, and the possibility of dating the granules. Making sense of either of these approaches requires a basic understanding of granule types, together with their modes of accumulation and destruction in stratigraphy. Details of the formation, morphology, deposition and post‐depositional changes are discussed along with the necessary ecological and pedological information on earthworm behaviour and effects, then summarised into a framework for interpretations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.