Formation of Soil: Working Instructions

Soil creation might be the most scientific artistic process involving the following factors and steps.

1. Weathering:

1.1. Physical Weathering – This involves the wearing out or breaking of rocks by external forces such as extremes of heat sun or cold water ice or even wind

1.2. Chemical Weathering: In these weathering types, the molecular structures of rock minerals dissolved in water, air and other substances convert to simpler structures

1.3. Biological Weathering: This is the weathering process that is influenced by the action of living organisms like plants, animals and even microorganisms in performing both physical and chemical weathering.

2. Accumulation of Organic Material:
Plant and animal remains are incorporated at the surface.
Organic matter is transformed by the action of microorganisms producing a dark, rich, hummus material.

3. Leaching
Water penetrates the soil and carries the dissolved materials further into the soil profile.
This can leach nutrients from the upper part, but actually enriches the lower part.

4. Illuviation
Carriage of dissolved material by water and subsequent deposition in the lower levels of soil.
This process is responsible for the layering of soil profiles.

5. Development of Soil Profile

6. Development of Soil Profile

As years go by, distinct stratification of soils occurs and these include the following,
O Horizon – Tthese are areas mainly vegetated which contain soil composition made up of dead plants and animals decomposing and recycling
A Horizon – This is the thin upper crust, the top layer of soil ordure comprising of both organic and inorganic constituents.
B Horizon – This refers to the subsoil, a layer that is rich in minerals only.
C Horizon: This is the raw, unweathered deposit that is the immediate precursor of soil.
R Horizon: Refers to weathered rock or the soil parent material which has not weathered.

6. Time:
This process of soil formation occurs over thousands of years.

Climate, topography, and living organisms can all affect the rate at which soil is formed. Grasping the sequence of events enables one to comprehend the complexity that is involved in the processes of soil formation and supporting life.