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Physical Environments 5Loading...
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BIOSPHEREHigher
Geography
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BIOSPHERE
properties and formation processes of
Podzol soils
Brown earth soils
Gley soils
Podzol soils
Brown earth soils
Gley soils
Soil Profiles
A soil profile is a vertical cross-section of a soil. It is divided into a number of distinct layers, referred to as horizons.
The horizons are normally designated by letters.
O Horizon – Organic layer
A Horizon – Topsoil
B Horizon – Sub soil
C Horizon – Parent material (bedrock)
The horizons are normally designated by letters.
O Horizon – Organic layer
A Horizon – Topsoil
B Horizon – Sub soil
C Horizon – Parent material (bedrock)
Soil Horizons
The A horizon may be further subdivided.
(L) leaf litter
(F) fermenting leaf litter
(H) humus
(E) eluvial (not always present)
These lie above the B horizon.
(L) leaf litter
(F) fermenting leaf litter
(H) humus
(E) eluvial (not always present)
These lie above the B horizon.
Fresh vegetation
Dead vegetation-Litter (L)
Fermenting litter (F)
Humus (H)
Eluvial horizon (E)
B horizon
Soil Forming Factors
Soils develop as a result of 5 factors:
Parent Material
The parent material can influence the soil in several ways:
colour
texture
structure
mineral composition
permeability/drainage
colour
texture
structure
mineral composition
permeability/drainage
This soil has developed on Old Red Sandstone and so has derived its distinctive colour from its parent material.