SOILS 2 // GUIDE

What is "The Soil"?

The Soil is a dynamic natural body.

What does "A soil" have?

A soil has a unique sequence of soil horizons.

What is a soil horizon?

horizontal layer.

What does a soil horizon have?

characteristic properties.

How is one soil horizon different from another?

distinguishable from other horizons.

What forms a soil profile?

A unique sequence of soil horizons.

What is a soil profile?

Vertical exposure of soil horizons.

How many master horizons are there?

5 master horizons.

How are the 5 master horizons designated?

designated by capital letters.

What do the master horizons have?

unique distinctions and differences.

What is the O Horizon?

O Horizon - Organic Horizon.

What material is found in the O Horizon?

organic material.

What types of organic material are found in the O Horizon?

plants, animals, at some stage of decay.

Where is the O Horizon found?

forested land.

What other environments have an O Horizon?

Wetlands and cool climates.

Where is the O Horizon usually absent?

usually absent in grasslands or prairies.

What is the A Horizon?

A Horizon - Upper mineral horizon.

What is the A Horizon composed of?

mineral and organic.

Why is the A Horizon darker?

darker from SOM.

What is the "p" distinction in the A Horizon?

p - plowed layer.

What is the E Horizon?

E Horizon - horizon of eluviation.

What is leached out of the E Horizon?

clays, Fe & Al oxides, cations leached out.

What is left in the E Horizon?

very resistant materials left.

What resistant materials are left in the E Horizon?

quartz, sand, silt.

Where is the E Horizon located?

located under the A horizon.

What accumulates in the B Horizon in humid regions?

silicate clays; Fe & Al oxides.

What happens in the B Horizon in humid regions?

Humid regions get accumulation of silicate clays and Fe & Al oxides.

What accumulates in the B Horizon in arid and semiarid regions?

CaCO₃, CaSO₄, Na₂CO₃.

Is the B Horizon always the subsoil?

B horizon is not always the subsoil.

What happens to the B Horizon in shallow soils?

shallow soils B incorporated into the plow layer (top soil).

What does "t" mean in B Master Horizons Distinctions?

t - Accumulation of silicate clays.

What does "g" mean in B Master Horizons Distinctions?

g - gleyed or mottled region.

What are Transition Horizons?

properties above and below.

How are Transition Horizons named?

use both master horizons to name horizon.

Which horizon is listed first in a Transition Horizon?

dominate horizon listed first.

What are examples of Transition Horizons?

AB, EB, BC.