Subordinate Distinctions

a

highly decomposed organic (sapric) material - o horiz

b

buried genetic horiz - often indicates paleosols

c

concretions/nodules of Fe, Al, Mn, Ti - not used for carbonates/salt

d

physical root restriction

e

intermediate decomp (hemic material) - O horiz

f

permanently frozen soil

ff

dry permafrost

g

strong gleying (matrix chroma _< 2) requires seasonal rain

h

illuvial accum of OM - B horiz

i

slightly decomp organic (fibric) material - O horiz

j

Jarosite accum - yellow acidic Fe sulfate mineral

jj

evidence of cryoturbation (frost churning)

k

accum of carbonates

m

cementation or induration - specify cementing agent e.g. Bkm Bsm

n

Na accum - common in arid/sodic soils

o

residual accum of sesquioxides

p

plowing or disturbance - used only in A

q

silicia accum - often forms duripan

r

weathered or soft bedrock - used only with C

s

illuvial accum of sesquioxides and OM - common in spodosols

ss

slickensides (shiny, polished faces) - indicates shrink and swell

t

illuvial accum of silicate clay - shows clay films/bridges 

v

plinthite accum - cemented Fe oxides - rich horz

w

weak soil development

x

brittle consistence

y

gypsum accum

z

soluble salts more soluble than gypsum