Embedded Files
What you should know by the end of this lesson:
What you should know by the end of this lesson:
Understand the factors affecting the formation of Podzol Soil
Be able to draw a fully annotated Podzol Soil Profile
Digital Workbook and Paper Jotter
Collect the Podsol A4 Sheet
This can be used as a template and completed in your jotter or written on
Use the information to complete this sheet with an
The annotated diagram on one side
Soil formation factors on the other.
Complete the Check Your Learning section at the end
Where is Podzol found?
Where is Podzol found?
Podzols occupy approximately 4% of the earth's total landmass.
Podzol - soil formation
Podzol - soil formation
Vegetation: Coniferous forests leads to decaying needles which creates a mor (acid) humus
Organisms (Biota): Cold temperatures means there is a lack of biota meaning the soil is poorly mixed giving clearly defined horizons
Relief: found in higher slopes creating a cold wet climate
Climate:
High precipitation or snowmelt leads to podzolization. Leaching minerals downwards means they can collect and develop an iron pan. This leaves the soil an ash grey colour
Low chemical or biological activity due to the cold temperatures which means there is also a lack of decay at the surface
Parent Material: Acidic rocks such as granite or schist give the soil a reddish-brown layer
Drainage: as an iron pan develops drainage becomes very poor leading to waterlogging & marshy conditions
Annotated Soil Profile
Annotated Soil Profile
Annotated Soil Profile
Annotated Soil Profile
1:E(zone of eluviation)
2: Increasing acidity
Precipitation > Evaporation
Results in Leaving of clays, organic matter, bases and oxides
3: Soil Depth rarely exceeds 1m (3ft)
4: Zone of illuviation
•Location - northern coniferous forests with associated cold, wet climates.
•Coniferous trees have shallow roots.
•O horizon consists of decaying plant litter (pine needles, cones).
•Cold climate means slow decay of organic matter to form an acidic mor humus of pH 3.5 – 4.0.
•Precipitation > evaporation.
•Clearly defined horizons due to the process of podsolisation. This involves leaching of iron, aluminium and humus from surface layers to lower layers.
•Leaching produces an ash-coloured, bleached A horizon.
•Lower down, iron, aluminium, clay and humus are washed in (illuviated) and redeposited in B. The presence of iron and aluminium explain the reddish-brown colour of B.
•If iron accumulates over a long period, a rust coloured iron pan can from. This can prevent free drainage and result in waterlogging.
•C horizon is parent material, generally weathered rock or glacial or fluvioglacial material.
•Clear horizons encouraged by lack of organisms esp. worms.
• Not naturally fertile. Lime added to combat acidity.
Well done you have finished lesson 3 of Biosphere
Well done you have finished lesson 3 of Biosphere
Return to the topic launch page and attempt the lesson quiz
Return to the topic launch page and attempt the lesson quiz
Page updated
Report abuse