Biosphere

Question 1

What is the Ao horizon made of in a podzol

Answer 1

Decaying plant litter such as pine needles, cones, twigs and dead heather shoots from upland moorland.

Question 2

In a cold climate, what happens to the to the organic matter

Answer 2

It delays very slowly and forms an acidic mor humus

Question 3

A horizon in a podzol

Answer 3

It is ash coloured and bleached due to melting rain and snow combining with organic acids which eluviate the minerals

Question 4

A horizon in a podzol

Answer 4

It is ash coloured and bleached due to melting rain and snow combining with organic acids which eluviate the minerals

Question 5

What is the b horizon of a podzol formed of

Answer 5

Washed in aluminium, iron, clay and humus

Question 6

What happens in a podzol if iron aluminates over a long enough period

Answer 6

A rust coloured iron pan can form which is several centimetres deep

Question 7

What do iron pans do In podzols

Answer 7

Prevent the penetration of plant roots and the free drainage or the podzol resulting in water logging

Question 8

What do iron pans do In podzols

Answer 8

Prevent the penetration of plant roots and the free drainage or the podzol resulting in water logging