Soil and its Properties

Flashcards covering soil composition, types, profiles, and processes such as humification and leaching based on the lecture notes.

Soil is the thin, __________ layer of the earth.

uppermost

Minerals make up __________ of the soil composition.

$$45\%$$

Air and water each make up __________ of the soil composition.

$$25\%$$

Organic matter + humus make up __________ of the soil composition.

$$5\%$$

Minerals are made up of small pieces of rocks like sand, silt, and clay broken down by __________ and erosion.

weathering

Air fills the spaces between soil particles and contains __________ and nitrogen which are essential for plants.

oxygen

The process of plant litter changing into humus is called __________.

humificalias

__________ is Ireland's most common soil type, found in midlands and deciduous areas and is very fertile.

Brawn rail

Podral sail is found in highland areas and is grey in colour due to the formation of a layer called __________.

hardpen

The __________ soil type is found on sloping hills, is very thin, and is easily waterlogged.

Gley soil

__________ takes thousands of years to form, is dark in colour, and is heavily waterlogged.

Peaty mil

The __________ is the top and most fertile layer of mail, usually dark in colour because it has the most humus and litter.

A harirus

The B horian is found just below the topsail and is also called the __________.

subsoil

The C huvirus can also be called the __________.

bedrock

__________ occurs when high amounts of rainfall cause water to percolate down and wash important minerals away.

Leaching