Soil and Soil Profiles

The organic and inorganic materials that form the surface of the Earth that help plants grow.

• Soil

• Sand

• Clay

• Chalk

• Peat

Pale coloured and has large particles. These create lots of small air gaps. Water drains through them easily so it usually feels dry.

• Soil

• Sand

• Clay

• Chalk

• Peat

Sticky and has small particles. This soil contains very few air gaps and water does not drain through it easily.

• Soil

• Sand

• Clay

• Chalk

• Peat

A light brown soil; water drains through it quickly.

• Soil

• Sand

• Clay

• Chalk

• Peat

Does not contain any rock particles. It's made from very old decayed plants and is dark, crumbly and rich in nutrients.

• Soil

• Sand

• Clay

• Chalk

• Peat

What is the O Horizon/Organic Layer?

• This is the top layer of soil that is made up of living and decomposed materials like leaves, plants, and bugs. This layer is very thin and is usually pretty dark.

• This layer is made up of minerals and decomposed organic matter and it is also very dark in colour.

• Nutrients gathered by leeching travel through this layer, down to the subsoil.

• This layer has more clay and mineral deposits and less organic materials than the topsoil. This layer is also lighter in colour.

What is the A Horizon/Topsoil?

• This is the top layer of soil that is made up of living and decomposed materials like leaves, plants, and bugs. This layer is very thin and is usually pretty dark.

• This layer is made up of minerals and decomposed organic matter and it is also very dark in colour.

• Nutrients gathered by leeching travel through this layer, down to the subsoil.

• This layer has more clay and mineral deposits and less organic materials than the topsoil. This layer is also lighter in colour.

What is the E Horizon/Leeching Layer?

• This is the top layer of soil that is made up of living and decomposed materials like leaves, plants, and bugs. This layer is very thin and is usually pretty dark.

• This layer is made up of minerals and decomposed organic matter and it is also very dark in colour.

• Nutrients gathered by leeching travel through this layer, down to the subsoil.

• This layer has more clay and mineral deposits and less organic materials than the topsoil. This layer is also lighter in colour.

What is the B Horizon/Subsoil?

• This is the top layer of soil that is made up of living and decomposed materials like leaves, plants, and bugs. This layer is very thin and is usually pretty dark.

• This layer is made up of minerals and decomposed organic matter and it is also very dark in colour.

• Nutrients gathered by leeching travel through this layer, down to the subsoil.

• This layer has more clay and mineral deposits and less organic materials than the topsoil. This layer is also lighter in colour.

What is the C Horizon/Regolith?

• This layer is made up of rock dust/debris; plant roots are not found in this layer.

• This layer is made up of minerals and decomposed organic matter and it is also very dark in colour.

• This layer is a solid layer of rock that is underneath all the other layers of soil.

• This layer has more clay and mineral deposits and less organic materials than the topsoil. This layer is also lighter in colour.