# data[].attributes.body
soil,
soil profile
soil quality
loam
clay, sand
composition
humus
minerals
decomposition
bedrock

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How much do you know about the soil where you live and around the country? In this challenge, you will travel to different regions and explore how the soil in each region was formed, what plants grow there, what helps the soil, and how that soil is unique to the region.

# data[].attributes.headline
Soils Around the World | Science | Interactive | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.subject
Soils Around the World | Science | Interactive | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Soils Around the World

Soils are created through the interaction of climate, vegetation, organisms, topography, and time on the organic and mineral material found on Earth's surface. Because different locations around the world have different climates and topographies and support different kinds of organisms, soil types vary from place to place. Each type possesses certain defining characteristics, including color, texture, and mineral composition. This interactive activity produced for Teachers' Domain features soil types found around the world. Maps highlight how narrowly or widely each type is distributed over the planet.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Soils are created through the interaction of climate, vegetation, organisms, topography, and time on the organic and mineral material found on Earth's surface. Because different locations around the world have different climates and topographies and support different kinds of organisms, soil types vary from place to place.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The soil profile is one of the most important concepts in soil science. It is a key to understanding the processes that have taken in soil development and is the means of determining the types of soil that occur and is the basis for their classification.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If one could dig a massive trench (hole), about 50-100ft vertically downwards into the ground, you will notice that you would have cut through various layers of soil types. A look at the layers from a distance gives one a cross-section view of the ground (beneath the surface) and the kind of soils and rocks it is made up of. matter. It is possible to see various levels of decomposition occurring here (minimal, moderately, highly and completely decomposed organic matter). This horizon is often black or dark brown in color, because of its organic content. It is the layer in which the roots of small grass are found. Soil Profile

The O-Horizon:
The O horizon is very common in many surfaces with lots of vegetative cover. It is the layer made up of organic materials such as dead leaves and surface organisms, twigs and fallen trees. It has about 20% organic

The A-Horizon:
The A horizon may be seen in the absence of the O horizon, usually known as the topsoil. It is the top layer soils for many grasslands and agricultural lands. Typically, they are made of sand, silt and clay with high amounts of organic matter. This layer is most vulnerable to wind and water erosion. It is also known as the root zone.

The E-Horizon:
The E horizon is usually lighter in color, often below the O and A horizons. It is often rich in nutrients that are leached from the top A and O horizons. It has a lower clay content and is common in forested lands or areas with high quality O and A horizons.

The B-Horizon:
The B-horizon has some similarities with the E-horizon. This horizon is formed below the O, A and E horizons and may contain high concentrations of silicate clay, iron, aluminum and carbonates. It is also called the illuviation zone because of the accumulation of minerals. It is the layer in which the roots of big trees end.

The C-Horizon:
The C horizon lacks all the properties of the layers above it. It is mainly made up of broken bedrock and no organic material. It has cemented sediment and geologic material. There is little activity here although additions and losses of soluble materials may occur. The C horizon is also known as saprolite.

The R-Horizon:
The R horizon is bedrock, material, compacted and cemented by the weight of the overlying horizons. It is the unweathered parent material. Rock types found here include granite, basalt and limestone.

This cross-section view is called a Soil Profile. The profile is made up of layers, running parallel to the surface, called Soil Horizons.

Each horizon may be slightly or very different from the other above or below it. Each horizon tells a story about the makeup, age, texture and characteristics of that layer.

Most soils have three major horizons. These are A Horizon, B Horizon and C Horizon. Aside from these three, there are also the O, E and R horizons. How are they different?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If one could dig a massive trench (hole), about 50-100ft vertically downwards into the ground, you will notice that you would have cut through various layers of soil types. A look at the layers from a distance gives one a cross-section view of the ground (beneath the surface) and the kind of soils and rocks it is made up of.