Spodosols

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-026413",
  "term": "Spodosols",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "The feature that is common to most Spodosols is the presence of a spodic horizon, in which amorphous mixtures of organic matter and aluminum, with or without iron, have accumulated. The spodic horizon may be destroyed by cultivation, yet spodic materials may still be present. In undisturbed soils there commonly is an overlying eluvial horizon, generally with a gray or light gray color similar to that of uncoated quartz. In some Spodosols this horizon is too thin to be preserved after cultivation, while in others it is very thick. Below the spodic horizon, there may be a fragipan or another sequum that has an argillic horizon. A few Spodosols have a placic horizon either on or within a spodic horizon or on a fragipan. Some Spodosols have layers thicker than a placic horizon that are cemented by spodic materials and organic matter (ortstein). Most Spodosols have few clay-sized phyllosilicates. The particle-size class is mostly sandy, sandy-skeletal, coarseloamy, loamy-skeletal, or coarse-silty. In a few of the soils, it is fine-loamy. Spodosols are most extensive in areas of cool, humid or perhumid climates.",
  "references": [
    "USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys (1999)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/spodosols/"
}