what is soil Horizon ? explain the various soil Horizon present in soil profile
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A soil horizon is a layer parallel to the soil surface, whose physical characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath. Each soil type usually has three or four horizons. Horizons are defined in most cases by obvious physical features, chiefly colour and texture. These may be described both in absolute terms (particle size distribution for texture, for instance) and in terms relative to the surrounding material, i.e. ‘coarser’ or ‘sandier’ than the horizons above and below. Water dissolves and removes nutrients as it passes through the soil.
Identification and description of the horizons present at a given site is the first step in soil classification at higher levels, through the use of systems such as the USDA soil taxonomy or the Australian Soil Classification. The World Reference Base for Soil Resources lists 40 diagnostic horizons.[1]
Most soils, especially in temperate climates, conform to a similar general pattern of horizons, often represented as an ‘ideal’ soil in diagrams. Each main horizon is denoted by a capital letter, which may then be followed by several alphanumerical modifiers highlighting particular outstanding features of the horizon. While the general O-A-B-C-R sequence seems fairly universal, some variation exists between the classification systems in different parts of the world. In addition, the exact definition of each main horizon may differ slightly – for instance, the US system uses the thickness of a horizon as a distinguishing feature, while the Australian system does not. It should be emphasised that no one system is more correct – as artificial constructs, their utility lies in their ability to accurately describe local conditions in a consistent manner. Also, many subtropical and tropical areas have soils such as oxisols or aridisols that have very different horizons from an "ideal" soil, or no horizons at all.
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If you visit a site, Where are has been dug for building a house or looking in a soil Peat , on a road side cut you will see various layers in the soil. These layers are called soil horizons . The arrangement of these Horizons in a soil is known as soil profile.
♦ SOIL HORIZONS :
Each soil Horizon is different from the other in texture , colour , chemical composition and depth.
★ O HORIZONS ------› It is that top organic layer of the soil mostly made up of leaf litter and humus this horizon is rich in humus.
★ A HORIZONS ------› This players are also called as top soil and is found below the O horizon. Seed germinate and plant grow in this dark coloured Layer. It is made up of humus ( decomposed organic matter ) mixed with mineral particles.
Sometimes , leaching of minerals and clay content takes place in the lower part of A horizon as water drips throw this region. This process of leaching is called evaluation .
★ B HORIZONS -------› It is also called the sub soil. This layer is Beneath The A horizon and about the C horizon. It contains clay and mineral deposits like Iron and Aluminium oxide. It receives them , from layers above it , when mineralised water drips from the top soil.
★ R HORIZONS --------› This consists of the unweathered rock layer , called the Bedrock. It exist beneath all the other layers.