Soils

Question 1

Roots in a Gley soil

Answer 1

Short roots meaning few minerals are brought up from lower down

Question 2

Roots in a Brown Earth soil

Answer 2

Long roots bring minerals from weathered regolith producing fertile topsoil.

Question 3

Roots in a Podsol Soil

Answer 3

Short so don’t bring materials up from weathered bedrock further down in the profile.

Question 4

The A horizon of a Brown Earth soil

Answer 4

A less acidic MULL humus from dediduous trees

Question 5

The A horizon of a Podsol soil

Answer 5

Pine needles decompose to form an infertile MOR humus

Question 6

The A horizon of a Gley soil

Answer 6

Partially decayed peaty black acidic MOR humus due to slow decay of heathers, moses etc

Question 7

Climate and effects in Gley soil

Answer 7

Cooler climate

Distinct layers and frozen permafrost in horizon C so waterlogging

Question 8

Climate and effects in Brown Earth soil

Answer 8

Mild Climate

No distinct horizons

Question 9

Climate and effects in podsol soil

Answer 9

Cool climate

Distinct layers

Question 10

Precipitation rates and effects in Podsol Soil

Answer 10

High precipitation means leaching takes place so minerals are washed from the topsoil leaving it infertile and grey in colour.

Question 11

Precipitation rates and effects in Brown Earth soil

Answer 11

Precipitation is greater than evaporation some some leaching but not as much, minerals remain in topsoil so dark in colour.

Question 12

Precipitation rates and effects in Gley soil

Answer 12

Heavy rainfall can leach minerals out leading to browny grey A horizon

Question 13

Organisms in Gley soil

Answer 13

Fewer organisms due to cold climate means not much mixing occurs. However microorganims take oxygen from iron compounds turning it from red to grey. Known as gleying

Question 14

C horizon in Brown Earth soil

Answer 14

Sedimentary rocks which weather more easily releasing minerals to soil. Also soil is free draining so no waterlogging.

Question 15

Organisms in Brown Earth soil

Answer 15

Presence of soil biota causes mixing so no distinct horizons

Question 16

Organisms in Podsol soil

Answer 16

Cool conditions means few organisms living in soil so little mixing

Question 17

Drainage in Podsol soil

Answer 17

Redeposition of minerals leaves a hardpan layer - this can SOMETIMES impede drainage and make the topsoil wet (illuviation) and cause waterlogging