7

Science

Soil
Learning Goals:
1.To know about the soil profile.
Intermediate Goals:
1.Define soil profile
2.Explain the different horizons of soil profile
Soil Profile
• Due to the physical, chemical and biological
activities that take place during soil
formation well developed layers of soil are
formed, one below the other. Typically ,
four distinct layers can be seen. These
layers are referred to as horizons.
• A vertical section through different layers
of the soil is called soil profile.
• Each layer differs in feel, colour, depth and
chemical composition. These layers are
referred to as horizons.
• The O horizon consists of freshly dead and decaying organic matter—
mostly plants but also small (especially microscopic) animals.
• A gardener would call this organic matter compost or humus.
• Below the O lies the A horizon, or topsoil, composed of organic material
mixed with soil particles of sand, silt, and clay.
• Earthworms, other small animals, and water mix the soil in the A
horizon.
• Water forced down through the A by gravity carries clay particles and
dissolved minerals (such as iron oxides) into the B horizon in a process
called leaching. Therefore, the A is known as the zone of leaching.
• These tiny clay particles zigzag downward through the spaces (pores)
between larger particles. Sometimes the lower half of the A horizon is
called the E (Eluvial) horizon meaning it is depleted of clay and dissolved
minerals, leaving coarser grains.
➢Sometimes the top of the B horizon develops a dense layer called a
fragipan (a dense but not cemented layer inhibiting penetration of
roots), a claypan (often compacted by vehicles), or a hardpan
(cemented by minerals).
➢If the hardpan is composed of the calcium-rich mineral calcite, it is
called caliche.

➢If composed of iron oxides, it is called an ironpan. Fragipans are

extremely difficult for crop roots and water to penetrate.
• Partially weathered bedrock composes the C horizon. Smaller bits of rock and
clay weathered from those chunks surround variously sized chunks of the rock
below. Some of the original rock is intact, but other parts have been chemically
changed into new minerals.

• The R layer (D horizon) is the bedrock or, sometimes, the sediment from which
the other horizons develop. Originally, this rock lay exposed at the surface
where it weathered rapidly into soil. The depth from the surface to the R layer
depends on the interrelationships between the climate, the age of the soil, the
slope, and the number of organisms. Most people do not consider the R layer as
soil, but include it in the profile anyway, since the weathering of this bedrock
usually produces the soil above it.
• O- horizon lies just above the topsoil and is rich in organic matter.

• A- horizon or topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil. It consists of fine particles, rich in
humus and dark in colour. It is soft ,porous and can hold water. This provides shelter
for many living organisms. The roots of small plants are embedded entirely in the
topsoil.

• B- horizon has a lesser amount of humus but more of minerals . This layer is harder and
more compact.

• C – horizon is made up of small lumps of rocks with cracks and crevices. It is very
difficult to dig beyond this layer.

• Bedrock is non- porous , rainwater gathers over it to form the water table.
1. A man digging a pit found that he could dig with ease
initially but digging became difficult as he went deeper.
He could not dig beyond a depth 5 feet. Provide a suitable
scientific explanations.

ANS. The man digging a pit could dig with ease initially
because of the presence of topsoil and subsoil (mainly
comprising of humus and nutrients). But as he digs deeper, he
finds it difficult to dig beyond a depth of 5 feet as lower
layers are made up of small partially weathered rocks with
cracks, crevices and with bedrock which make it hard to dig.

2. Explain soil profile.