Soil Flashcards
The kind of soil in an area depends on:
- the kind of rock
- the area’s climate
- the landforms
- the plants
- the animals/organisms
- time
Soil is a mixture of five materials:
Weathered rock Water Air Minerals Humus
Soil horizon
A layer of soil with properties that differ from those of the layer above or below it.
O horizon
Accumulation of twigs, leaves, and decomposing plants
A horizon
Top soil later that contains humus mixed with mineral particles and has darkest color
B horizon
Has very little material and contains clay and minerals washed down from A horizon. It has a brownish reddish color.
C horizon
Deepest layer of soil that contains the largest and least weathered rock particles. It is light yellowish brownish in color
R horizon
Layer of bedrock
Texture
Determined by the size of the weathered rock particles it contains
Fertility
The ability of a soil to provide plant nuetrients
Pore space
Amount of space between the soil particles
Chemistry
pH level of the water in the soil (how much acid is in the water).
Water retention
The soil’s ability to hold water/moisture.
5 properties of soil:
Texture, fertility, pore space, chemistry, water retention
4 types of mechanical weathering:
Pressure release, plant root growth, ice wedging, and abrasion
