GGR112H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 18: Eluvium, Soil Acidification, Soil Texture
Document Summary
Soil is a dynamic natural mixture of fine materials, including both mineral and organic matter. Soil science is the interdisciplinary study of soils involving physics, chemistry, biology, mineralogy, hydrology, taxonomy, climatology, and cartography. Pedology deals with the origin, classification, distribution, and description of soil. Edaphology specifically focuses on the study of soil as a medium for sustaining the growth of plants. Soil is composed of about 50% mineral and organic matter, and. 50% water and air contained in pore spaces between the soil particles. Environmental factors that affect soil formation include parent materials, climate, vegetation, topography, and time. To evaluate soils, scientists use a soil profile, a vertical section of soil that extends from the surface to the deepest extent of plant roots or to the point where regolith or bedrock is encountered. Each discernible layer in a soil profile is a soil horizon.
