lecture 6 Flashcards
Soils
2 concept of soil?
Pedological concept and Edaphological concept
A natural body differentiated into horizon of mineral and organic constituent, consolidated of variable depth. Differs from the parent material below in morphology, physical properties and constitution
Pedological concept
A natural body, synthesized in profile form from a variable mixture of broken and weathered minerals and decaying organic matters, which covers the earth in a thin layer and which supplies when containing the proper amounts of air and water, mechanical support and in part sustenance for plants
Edaphological concept
Functions of soils
media for plant growth
modify the atmosphere through emission and absorption of gases
Habitat for animals that live in the soil
process recycled nutrients
Mineral horizon, finer textured, usually clayey with blocky structure
zone of maximum illuviation (movement of materials - Clay and AI oxides into the horizon
B horizon
Reffered to as the parent material, blocky to primatic structure, hard and sometime brittle but can still be dug by digging tools
C HORIZON
d
dense unconsolidated materials/physical root rstric
co
coprogenous earth
i
Organic matter, slightly decomposed
j
Jarosite
jj
Cryoturbation
k
accumulation of carbonates
kk
engulfment of horizon by secondary carbonates
m
cementation or induration
ma
marl