Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil p

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil profile from top to bottom ?

Topsoil, Humus, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material

Subsoil, Topsoil, Humus, Weathered parent material, Eluviation zone

Humus, Subsoil, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Weathered parent material

Humus, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material

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UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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A typical soil profile is divided into horizons (layers). From top to bottom, the commonly recognized horizons are O (organic/humus), A (topsoil – mineral soil mixed with humus), E (eluviation/leaching layer below A in some soils), B (subsoil – accumulation of leached material), C (weathered parent material), and R (bedrock). Option D, starting with Humus (part of or above O), then Topsoil (A), followed by Eluviation zone (E), Subsoil (B), and finally Weathered parent material (C), represents the correct sequential arrangement of these specific layers in a typical soil profile from the surface downwards.

– Soil profile is a vertical cross-section showing soil horizons.
– Key horizons: O, A, E, B, C, R.
– Humus is organic matter, typically in O or mixed with A.
– Eluviation (E) is leaching from upper layers, Illuviation (accumulation) is in B.

The characteristics of each soil horizon (color, texture, structure, chemical composition) differ due to various soil-forming processes like weathering, leaching, accumulation of organic matter, etc.

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