Podzol

Question 1

podzol

leaf litter

Answer 1

podzol leaf litter is thin as coniferous trees do not loose leafs yearly ,

Question 2

podzol temperature

Answer 2

cool temperature results in few soil organisms and slow decomposition of the pine needles

Question 3

podzol humus

Answer 3

waxy and acidic (decomposes slowly in climate) thin (no vegetation) black MOR

Question 4

podzol processes

Answer 4

precipitation exceeds evaporation leading to leaching -

minerals are washed down (eluviated) from A horizon down to B where they are deposited (illuviation)

leaching results in a horizon being depleted of nutrients - leaving it bleached (ashy white colour)

B horizon forms a iron pan due to illuviation

Question 5

Podzol iron pan

Answer 5

red or blackish iron pan is hard and thick (2-3mm) 
It impermeable (water cant flow through)

prevents roots from penetrating any further that the iron pan, meaning there is very limited nutrient recycling available. Parent material nutrients are out of reach therefore quality of soil dosnt improve quickly

Aluminium has been carried below the iron pan is now deposited in the lower half of the B horizon where it gives the soil a yellow colour

Question 6

podzol formation

Answer 6

well defined horizons (no organisms) 
limited aeration (no organisms) soils is infertile

Question 7

Podzol human use

Answer 7

Not used for farming due to infertility, iron pan restricts root penetration and means water logging (flooding)

Question 8

soil biota

Answer 8

few soil biota (cold temp)

Limited mixing , clearly defined horizons poor aeration

Question 9

Question - explain the main conditions and processes involved in the formation of a podzol soil (8m)

Answer 9

Low temp leads to slow decomposition (1m)
coniferous needles and cones produce acidic mor humus (1m)
Shallow roots means limited absorption of deep leached minerals (1m)
Shallow roots also means limited nutrient recycling (1m)
limited soil biota means horizons will be well defined (1m)
eluviation leaves and ash grey A horizon (1m)
Illuviation leads to a reddish brown B horizon (1m)
High precipitation leads to leaching (1m)