Caliche

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-004003",
  "term": "Caliche",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "A term applied broadly in the southwest United States to a reddish-brown to buff or white calcareous material of secondary accumulation, commonly found in layers on or near the surface of stony soils of arid and semiarid regions, but also occurring as a subsoil deposit in subhumid climates. It is composed largely of crusts of soluble calcium salts in addition to such materials as gravel, sand, silt, and clay. Caliche appears to form by a variety of processes, e.g. capillary action, in which soil solutions rise to the surface and on evaporation deposit their salt content on or in the surface materials.",
  "references": [
    "EPA Yucca Mountain Standards Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/yucca/bid/yucca_bid_060501_es.pdf"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/caliche/"
}