Soil definition

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• Soil definition
• Idealised profile
• Factors of soil formation
• Parent material Climate Organisms Topography
  Time
• Processes in the soil
• Physical Chemical Biological

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Soil definitions e.g.
A natural body of mineral and organic
constituents, usually unconsolidated and of
variable depth, which is differentiated into
horizons and which differs from the parent
material below in morphology, physical
properties, constitution, chemical properties and
biological characteristics It is a natural
medium for the growth of plants and furnishes the
plant with an anchor for its roots as well as
nutrients (including water) and oxygen for growth
and reproduction
Soil is the space-time continuum forming the
upper part of the earths crust
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A summary of soil formation factors and processes
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Idealised soil profile
Description based on -colour, texture,
structure, composition
O organic litter, fementation, humus
A mix of mineral and organic matter
E eluviated (loss of Fe, Al, organic matter)
B illuviated (from E)
C parent material
R - bed rock
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Urban soils

• Any unconsolidated mineral or organic material at
  the earths surface, within the urban sprawl,
  that has the potential to support plant growth.

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