soil properties and processes

what is soil

natural bodies having depth and surface area

products of destructive/synthetic forces

alive, internally structure into layers/horizons

soils processes (pedogenic processes)

inputs

losses

translocations

transformations

what is soil

natural bodies having depth and surface area

products of destructive/synthetic forces

alive, internally structure into layers/horizons

soils processes (pedogenic processes)

inputs

losses

translocations

transformations

soil inputs

enrichments, mainly from above

soil losses

removals

types of soil losses

erosion

removal of solutes to groundwater

plant uptake

leaching

minerals trickling down thru soil via force of gravity

translocation

vertical mvmt of materials in soil

types of translocation

eluviation and leaching

illuviation

eluviation n leaching

when water moves materials down and out of upper of soil

illuviation

when leached materials from uppermost soil recrystallise in lower part of soil

transformation

decomposition of minerals n organic matter into other forms

soil profile

vertical organisation of soil into layers visible in cross section

layers/horizons

horizon

layer that’s homogeneous within

reflects processes of decomposition, weathering, translocation

organic horizons

O, L, F, H

mineral horizons

A, B ,C

A horizon

at/near surface

organic matter accumulates

materials removed in percolating rainwater

B horizon

materials added via illuviation

prismatic columnar structures

stainings or coatings

distinct in colour bc of enrichment

C horizons

comparatively unaffected by pedogenic processes

soil colour

tells about composition and chemistry

black soil

organic content

high fertility

white/pale soil

silica n aluminum oxides

reds/yellow

iron oxides n minerals

soil forming factors

organisms

topography

time

climate

parent material

climate

determines speed and intensity of:

mineral weathering, organic matter decomposition

parent material

underlying geologic material that soil forms on

determines:

composition, structure, texture

acidity, nutrients

two major types of parent materials

consolidated: residual

unconsolidated: transported