Soils which reflect the composition of underlying rocks are always

Soils which reflect the composition of underlying rocks are always

young
highly evolved
mature
moderately old
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
Soils develop over time through processes like weathering, decomposition, and horizon formation (pedogenesis). Young or immature soils have undergone limited pedogenic development. As a result, their properties, including mineral composition, strongly reflect the composition of the underlying parent material (bedrock or unconsolidated deposits). Highly evolved or mature soils have distinct horizons and properties that may differ significantly from the parent material due to long-term processes.
– Soil formation (pedogenesis) is a gradual process.
– Young soils are characterized by limited horizon development.
– The characteristics of young soils are strongly influenced by the parent material.
– Mature soils have well-developed horizons and properties modified by time, climate, organisms, and topography.
The degree to which a soil’s composition reflects its parent material is often used as an indicator of soil age and development stage. In highly weathered (evolved/mature) soils, many original minerals from the parent rock may have been altered or leached away, leaving behind more resistant materials or newly formed secondary minerals.
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