Soils Test Vocab

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

• Additions

• Bedrock

• Losses

A vertical cross-section of the soil

• Soil Profile

• Subsoil

• Topsoil

Area often referred to as the B horizon.

• Soil Profile

• Subsoil

• Topsoil

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

• Additions

• Bedrock

• Losses

The surface layer where organic matter accumulates

• Soil Profile

• Subsoil

• Topsoil

Materials that leach or erode from the soil

• Additions

• Bedrock

• Losses

The fineness of coarseness of soil particles

• Soil Texture

• Soil Workability

• Textural Triangle

• Water-holding Capacity

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

• Clay

• Permeability

• Sand

• Silt

• Soil Structure

The ability of soil to retain moisture for plants

• Soil Texture

• Soil Workability

• Textural Triangle

• Water-holding Capacity

The arrangement of soil particles into clusters or aggregates

• Clay

• Permability

• Sand

• Silt

• Soil Structure