Soils with a strongly bleached E-horizon, resulting from the eluviation of humic acids and oxides/hydroxides of iron and aluminum, which are accumulated in the subsoil as Bh-, Bs- or Bhs-horizons. The B-horizons may form duripans. Podzols are typical for humid-cold climates, Ca- and Mg-poor and permeable sediments. They develop often under conifers and Ericacea forming acid, thick organic layers. Soil fauna activity and nutrient contents are generally poor.