Soil profile
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Soil is a vital part of the natural environment and is made up of mineral material, organic material, air, and water. The soil profile consists of horizontal layers called horizons that vary in thickness, structure, consistency, porosity, acidity, and composition. The major horizons from top to bottom are O (organic matter), A (topsoil), E (leaching layer), B (subsoil), C (saprolite), and R (bedrock). Soil structure is determined by the combination of primary particles like sand, silt, and clay, while soil composition includes approximately 45% minerals and nutrients, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air.
Soil profile
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- 2. Soil Major part of the natural environment, Vital to the existence of life on the planet. Soil is the result of the process of the gradual breakdown of rock, such as weathering and erosion Soil is made up from four constituents: mineral material, organic material, air and water. 2
- 3. Soil Profile The soil profile is one of the most important concepts in soil science. Soil profile is the term used for the vertical section of mature soil generally up to the depth of 2 meter or up to the parent material to show the different layers or horizons of soil for study of soil in its undisturbed state. It is made up of a succession of horizontal layer or Horizons. Each of which varies in • Thickness • Structure • Consistency • Porosity • Acidity • composition 3
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- 5. Soil Structure Combination or arrangement of primary soil particles. Soil particles are: Sand Silt Clay 5
- 6. Soil Composition Soil composition is an important aspect of nutrient management. The basic components of soil are: Minerals/Nutrients 45%, Organic matter 5%, Water 25% and Air 25%. 6
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- 8. Soil Colour Two types of soil on the basis of colour 1) Dark Colour Soil 2) Light Colour Soil 1.Dark Colour Soil: Rich with a lot of organic matters. 2. Light Colour Soil: Not so rich with organic matters 8
- 9. Components of the Soil Profile A soil horizon makes up a distinct layer of soil. The soil profile extends from the soil surface to the parent rock material. The regolith includes all of the weathered material within the profile. The regolith has two components: Solum Saprolite / regolith 9
- 10. Solum The solum includes the upper horizons with the most weathered portion of the profile. Surface and subsoil layers. O, A and B Horizons. Saprolite The saprolite is the least weathered portion that lies directly above the solid, parental bedrock C Horizon 10
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- 12. Master Horizons Horizons based on color, roots, structure, rock fragments. Master Soil Horizons are depicted by a capital letter in the order (from top to down): The master horizons are represented by the letters: O Horizon A Horizon E Horizon B Horizon C Horizon R Horizon 12
- 13. O Horizon Surface horizon that is comprised of organic material at various stages of decomposition. Surface-layer, at depths of 0-5 cm. Dark in color, soft in texture. Leaf litter – leaves, needles, twigs, moss, lichens that are not decomposing. Humus - rich organic material of plant and animal origin in a stage of decomposition 13
- 14. A Horizon “Topsoil” or “Biomantle” Horizon. largely consists of minerals (sand, silt, and clay) Topmost layer of mineral soil, at depths of 5-10 cm. Some humus present, darker in color than layers below. Biomantle - most biological productive layer; earthworms, fungi, and bacteria live this layer. Smallest and finest soil particles. 14
- 15. E Horizon The “Leaching Layer” Horizon Small layer between A & B horizons At depths of 10-15 cm Light in color, mainly sand & silt Poor mineral and clay content due to leaching – the loss of water-retaining plant nutrients to the water table Soil particles larger than in A horizon but smaller than in B horizon. Also known as Zone of “eluviation” 15
- 16. B Horizon The “Subsoil” Horizon. At depths of 10-30 cm. Rich in clay and minerals like Fe & Al. Some organic material may reach here through leaching. Plant roots can extend into this layer Red/brown in color due to oxides of Fe & clay. Also known as Zone of “illuviation” 16
- 17. C Horizon The “Saprolite” Horizon or regolith. At depths of 30-48 cm. Made up of large rocks or lumps of partially broken bedrock. Least affected by weathering and have changed the least since their origin. Devoid of organic matter due to it being so far down in the soil profile. 17
- 18. R Horizon The “Bedrock” Horizon. At depths of 48+ cm. Deepest soil horizon in the soil profile. Continuous mass of bedrock. Colors are those of the original rock of the area. 18
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