Sampling involved collection of the surficial soil horizon with a pre-rinsed spatula, removal of surface vegetation, and placement into labeled WhirlPak™ bags.
A further implication for soluble uranium material is that surficial uranium can be easily leached and accumulate deeper in the soil column.
In places, bedrock has been scoured of most surficial debris.
Trenching, the extension of gullies, and their conversion into arroyo systems, implies valley fills of erodible surficial material.
It is, however, more nearly aimed at actual surficial changes that pertain to landforms than were Werner's notions.
The granite discussed above may display surficial cavities that are lined by several clay minerals and limonite (a hydrous iron oxide).
Similarly, mobile tectonic patterns involving rock deformation may be brought to bear on any surficial geomorphic system, with resulting relief, elevation, and topographic changes.
Surficial geomorphic agents of denudation responsible for many, if not most, landforms include mass wasting, running water, glacial ice, and wind.
In addition to the usual climatic imprints, orogenic tectonism (including volcanism) adds its obvious dimensions of elevation and slope to any surficial environment it encounters.
