Soils Test Vocab

Front

Horizon that is usually composed of the parent material of the soil and that has had little soil-forming activity

Back

Bedrock

Front

A vertical cross-section of the soil

Back

Soil Profile

Front

Area often referred to as the B horizon.

Back

Subsoil

Front

Materials such as fallen leaves, windblown dust, or chemicals from air pollution that accumulate in the soil

Back

Additions

Front

The surface layer where organic matter accumulates

Back

Topsoil

Front

Materials that leach or erode from the soil

Back

Losses

Front

The fineness of coarseness of soil particles

Back

Soil Texture

Front

The ease with which air and water may pass through the soil

Back

Permeability

Front

The ability of soil to retain moisture for plants

Back

Water-holding Capacity

Front

The arrangement of soil particles into clusters or aggregates

Back

Soil Structure