Soil Profile

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Soil Profile
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Soil Profile

• The Soil Profile is created by a number of
  distinctly different Soils
• Color
• Structure
• Texture
• Depth

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Soil Horizons

• Each Soil Horizon is classified by the depth that
  it is located.
• O
• A
• B
• E
• C
• R

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O Horizon

• O Horizon is composed primarily of decaying
  organic matter
• Such as Plant and Animal debris
• Is most noticeable in undisturbed soil on a
  forest floor.

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A Horizon

• This is often referred to as topsoil and is the
  surface layer where organic matter accumulates.
  Over time, this layer loses clay, iron, and other
  materials due to leaching. This process is know
  as eluviation.
• Eluviation- exiting out of a profile ( e-
  exiting)
• The A horizon provides the best environment for
  the growth of plant roots, microorganisms, and
  other life.

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E Horizon

• This is the zone of greatest eluviation. Because
  the clay, chemicals, and organic matter are very
  leached, the color of the E horizon is very
  light. It usually occurs in sandy forest soils
  with high amounts of rainfall.

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B horizon

• This horizon is referred to as the subsoil. It
  is often called the zone of accumulation since
  chemicals leached from the A E horizons
  accumulate here. This accumulation is called
  illuviation.
• Illuviation- into the profile ( i- into)
• The B horizon will have less organic matter and
  more clay than the A horizon. Together A, E,
  and B horizons are known as the Solum
• Solum- combination of A, E, B horizons where
  most plant roots grow

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C Horizon

• This horizon is referred to as the substratum
• It lacks the properties of the A and B horizons
  since it is influenced less by the soil forming
  processes. It is usually the parent material of
  the soil.

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R Horizon

• This horizon is the underlying bedrock, such as
  limestone, sandstone, or granite.

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Examples
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