| Regolith |
Weathering of parent material to give a layer of loose broken rock. |
| Parent material |
The supply of minerals comes from underlying rock, which have different rates of weathering. It controls depth, texture, drainage, and quality of the soil. |
| Topography |
The relief of land. |
| Biota |
Organisms - Plants and bacteria, fungi, and animals all interact in the nutrient cycle. |
| Peds |
Individual soil particles. |
| Soil texture |
How fine or course the mineral matter is in the soil. |
| Soil nutrients (bases) |
Chemical elements in the soil that come from rainwater, fertilizer, parent rock, decaying organic matter and clay. |
| Soil moisture |
Level of moisture in the soil - important because it influences upward and downward movement of nutrients and water in the soil. |
| Translocation |
Includes numerous processes but is primarily the downward movement of water or materials in soil. |
| Leaching |
Where soluble material is removed in solution. |
| Cheluviation |
When iron and aluminum sesquioxides are removed due to chelating agents. |
| Illuviation |
Material re-deposited in the lower horizons. |
| Zonal soils |
Are classified on a global scale and have climate as the major determining factor. They are mature, have distinct profiles and clear horizons. |
| Azonal soils |
More recent than zonal soils, and soil forming processes have not been in operation for long. Horizons are unclear and they are not linked with climate and vegetation. |
| Intrazonal soils |
Soils found within the climate belt. |
| Calcomorphic/calcareous soils |
Develop on limestone. |
| Hydromorphic soils |
Water content is always high. |
| Halomorphic soils |
Saline due to high salt level. |
| Podsol |
Develops if precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. |
| Podsolisation |
Intensive leaching. |
| Brown earths |
Moderately or well-drained soils, found where precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration, and particles move downward through the soil. |
| Lessivage |
Removal of fine clay particles from soil. |
| Salinisation |
Soluble salts moved upwards through the soil as a result of capillary action. |