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SOILS Profile and Catena

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Erick Juma Wabwile
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1K views

SOILS Profile and Catena

Uploaded by

Erick Juma Wabwile
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOILS

SOIL PROFILE AND SOIL CATENA


Soil Profile
• The vertical arrangement of different soil layers from the surface to
the bedrock is called a soil profile.
• There are different types of soil, each with its own set of
characteristics. Dig down deep into any soil, and you’ll see that it is
made of layers, or horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R). Put the horizons
together, and they form a soil profile. Most soils have three major
horizons (A, B, C) and some have an organic horizon (O). The
horizons are:
Soil Profile
• There are 5 master horizons in the soil profile. Not all soil profiles contain all 5 horizons; and so, soil profiles
differ from one location to another. The 5 master horizons are represented by the letters: O, A, E, B, and C.
• O: The O horizon is a surface horizon that is comprised of organic material at various stages of
decomposition. It is most prominent in forested areas where there is the accumulation of debris fallen from
trees.
• A: The A horizon is a surface horizon that largely consists of minerals (sand, silt, and clay) and with
appreciable amounts of organic matter. This horizon is predominantly the surface layer of many soils in
grasslands and agricultural lands.
• E: The E horizon is a subsurface horizon that has been heavily leached. Leaching is the process in which
soluble nutrients are lost from the soil due to precipitation or irrigation. The horizon is typically light in color.
It is generally found beneath the O horizon.
Soil Profile
• B: The B horizon is a subsurface horizon that has accumulated from the layer(s)
above. It is a site of deposition of certain minerals that have leached from the layer(s)
above.
• C: The C horizon is a subsurface horizon. It is the least weathered horizon. Also
known as the saprolite, it is unconsolidated, loose parent material.
• The master horizons may be followed by a subscript to make further distinctions
between differences within one master horizon.
Soil Profile
SOIL CATENA
• A soil catena is a sequence of different soil profiles that occur down a
slope. They occur on hill slopes where the geology is uniform and there is
no marked difference in climate from the top to the bottom of the slope
• The variations in soil profile that occur down the slope are largely the
result of changes in slope gradient. Soil can be eroded easily from a steep
slope, but will tend to accumulate on shallower gradients. Soil water will
drain freely on steep slopes, but will take much longer to drain from
shallower ones.
Soil Catena
Factors that influence development of soil
catena
• a) Relief
• High rate of erosion on steep slopes impacts on the development of soils
and vise versa.
• b) Drainage
• c) Transportation of debri
Soil Degradation
• Discuss about the causes and mitigation measures

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