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2:2 Weathering
Soil Formation and Composition
Term | Definition |
---|---|
soil | The loose, weathered material on Earth’s surface in which plants can grow. |
Bedrock | The solid layer of rock beneath the soil. |
Humus | The dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay. |
loam | Soil that is made up of about equal parts of clay, sand, and silt. |
Soil horizon | A layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it. |
Topsoil | Mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals that forms the crumbly, topmost layer of soil |
Subsoil | The layer of soil beneath the topsoil that contains mostly clay and other minerals. |
Litter | The loose layer of dead plant leaves and stems on the surface of the soil. |
Decomposer | Organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them with chemicals. |