Soil

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Soil (sōl)

Soil is the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.

Etymology

The term "soil" comes from the Latin word "solum," which means "ground" or "floor."

Pronunciation

IPA: /sɔɪl/

Related Terms

  • Topsoil: The upper, outermost layer of soil, usually the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm). It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms and is where most of the Earth's biological soil activity occurs.
  • Subsoil: The layer of soil beneath the topsoil that has lower organic matter and plant nutrient content.
  • Humus: The organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
  • Loam: A soil that is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, considered ideal for gardening and agricultural uses.
  • Clay: A natural, earthy material that is plastic when wet and hardens when heated, composed primarily of fine-grained minerals.
  • Silt: Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbor.
  • Sand: A loose granular substance, typically pale yellowish brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks and forming a major constituent of beaches, riverbeds, the seabed, and deserts.

See Also

  • Soil science: The study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the Earth.
  • Pedology: The study of soils in their natural environment.
  • Edaphology: The study of the influence of soils on living things.

External links

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