explain soil profile.
Answers
Answer:
The soil profile is the term used for the vertical section of the earth crust to the depth of 1.83 meters.
It shows different layers or horizons of soil for the study of soil in its undisturbed state.
It consists of the following layer:-
1) O- horizon or surface litter:- is the region of freshly fallen leaves, organic debris and partially decomposed organic matter.
2) A- horizon or topsoil:- is the region of partially decomposed organic matter (humus), plant roots, living organisms and some inorganic minerals.
3) E- horizon or zone of leaching:- is the area through which dissolved or suspended materials move down.
4) B- horizon or subsoil:- dark coloured and often an accumulation of iron, aluminium, humic compounds and clay leached down from the above layers.
5) C- horizon or parent material:- where partially broken inorganic materials are found.
6) R- horizon or bedrock:- is the impenetrable layer, percolated soil water tends to collect at the surface of the bedrock.
How satisfied are you with the answer?
This will help us to improve better
ASK
Get Instant Solutions, 24x7
No Signup required
girl
More Questions by difficulty
EASY
MEDIUM
HARD
Most important for plant growth, the A and B horizons are the top two layers of the soil. The A horizon is where there is most soil life and is sometimes called topsoil. Depending on the soil, the A horizon can be further divided into A1, A2 or Ao (organic). The B horizon is where clays and materials washed down from the A horizon accumulate. This is sometimes called subsoil.
The C Horizon consists of weathering rock.
The D horizon is bedrock. This is rock which has weathered to produce the soil you see above it (unless the soil has been deposited from elsewhere eg floodplains contain soil that has been carried downstream in water and then deposited as the flood recedes).