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 Try to identify the different soil horizons and then click to see them. Click again to reset.

Dystric Cambisol

Location: Alps, Austria, 1500 m asl

O: organic layer, raw humus, plant residues

Ah: mineral soil with organic compounds

Bw: brown color due to weathering of the minerals, mainly iron oxides and hydroxides. The high silt and sand content of the Bw and the relatively low stone content, compared to the IIC-horizon originates from eolian influence, changing the chemical and physical properties of the underlying bedrock. The sediments of the Bw-horizon were deposited during the lateglacial period, prior to the reforestation.

IIR: Phyllite

Cambisol, Umbrisol

Soils having a cambic B-horizon, characterized by mineral weathering. Oxidation of iron oxides produces the brownish (temperate climates) or reddish (subtropical to tropical climates) colors. If the base saturation of the Ah-horizon is less than 50%, it is classified as Umbrisol, otherwise it is a Cambisol. Very well-developed Cambisols on carbonate rocks are Chromic (brown) or Rhodic (red) Cambisols. Normally, the B-horizon is strongly depleted in carbonate minerals.

 

 
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