Soil profile is also know as soil horizon and according to wikipedia definition, " A soil horizon is a layer parallel to the soil surface, whose physical characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath. Each soil type has at least one, usually three or four horizons. Horizons are defined in most cases by obvious physical features, chiefly colour and texture. These may be described both in absolute terms (particle size distribution for texture, for instance) and in terms relative to the surrounding material, i.e. ‘coarser’ or ‘sandier’ than the horizons above and below."
1. The 'O' zone is the organic layer dominated by organic material consisting of un-decomposed or partially decomposed plant material.
2. The 'A' zone is the topsoil and is largely mineral soil developed from parent material; organic matter leached from above gives this horizon a distinctive dark color.
3. The 'B' zones the subsoil and is accumulation of mineral particles, such as clay and salts leached from topsoil.
4. The 'C' zone is unconsolidated material derived from the original parent material from which the soil developedFinally, the collectively sequences of horizontal layers constitutes a soil profile and this pattern of horizontal layers is visible to see from fresh cut been made along a road bank for a building site.
References:
www.wikipedia.com
Element of Ecology Text Book.
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