Soil Science

  1. The Soil Profile and Horizons
    1. Concept of the Soil Profile
      1. Definition of Soil Profile
        1. Vertical Arrangement of Horizons
        2. Master Horizons
          1. O Horizon
            1. Litter Layer
              1. Decomposed Organic Matter
              2. A Horizon
                1. Mineral Soil with Organic Enrichment
                  1. Topsoil Characteristics
                  2. E Horizon
                    1. Zone of Eluviation
                      1. Loss of Clay, Iron, or Organic Matter
                      2. B Horizon
                        1. Zone of Illuviation
                          1. Accumulation of Clay, Iron, or Organic Matter
                          2. C Horizon
                            1. Unconsolidated Parent Material
                              1. Minimal Soil Development
                              2. R Horizon
                                1. Consolidated Bedrock
                              3. Subordinate Distinctions in Horizons
                                1. Use of Lowercase Suffixes
                                  1. Ap (Plowed)
                                    1. Bt (Clay Accumulation)
                                      1. Ck (Carbonates)
                                        1. Bg (Gleyed)
                                      2. Describing a Soil Profile
                                        1. Field Techniques
                                          1. Soil Pit Excavation
                                            1. Auger Sampling
                                            2. Horizon Designation
                                              1. Naming Conventions
                                                1. Criteria for Horizon Boundaries
                                                2. Color Notation
                                                  1. Munsell Color Chart Use
                                                  2. Texture Determination
                                                    1. Field Methods
                                                      1. Laboratory Methods
                                                      2. Structure Description
                                                        1. Type, Grade, and Size of Peds

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                                                    2. Soil Formation (Pedogenesis)

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                                                    4. Soil Physical Properties