Meaning & use
soil horizon
Last updated
UK/ˈsɔɪl həˈraɪzən/
US/ˈsɔɪl həˈraɪzən/
Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalspecialist
A layer of soil that is different from the layers above and below it.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a soil horizon' or 'several soil horizons'.
Patterns
- a soil horizon
- soil horizons
- the A horizon
- distinct soil horizons
The topsoil is the uppermost soil horizon, rich in organic matter.
Digging a pit, the scientist identified five distinct soil horizons.
Each soil horizon has a different color and texture.
Word forms
| plural | soil horizons |
|---|
Common combinations
- distinct soil horizons
- The profile showed three distinct soil horizons.
- identify soil horizons
- Geologists identify soil horizons by color and composition.
- top soil horizon
- The top soil horizon is usually darker due to organic material.
- soil horizon boundary
- The boundary between soil horizons can be sharp or gradual.
Synonyms and how they differ
- soil layer
- Soil layer is a general term for any layer of soil, while soil horizon is a specific technical term in soil classification.
Word family
- soil profile noun
- A vertical section of soil showing all its horizons from top to bottom.
Practice
What is a soil horizon?
Choose one answer.
A soil horizon is a layer within the soil, differing from layers above and below. Option An is a tool, not a layer. Option C refers only to the surface, not the internal layers. Option D is a plant, not a soil feature.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “soil horizon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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