Soil Horizons

Soil Horizons

1. B Horizon

   • Frequently the second major soil horizon, composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic matter.

2. C Horizon

   • The least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and is similar to the parent material.

3. E Horizon

   • The zone of leaching that forms under the O horizon or, less often, the A horizon.

4. O Horizon

   • The organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in various stages of decomposition.

5. A Horizon

   • Frequently the top layer of soil, characterized by mixing of organic material and mineral material.