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C horizon
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soil profiles on hillslopes
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C horizon

soil type
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soil profiles on hillslopes
soil profiles on hillslopes The thickness and composition of soil horizons vary with position on a hillslope and with water drainage. For example, on the upper slopes of poorly drained profiles, underlying rock may be exposed by surface erosion, and nutrient-rich soils (A horizon) may accumulate at the toeslope. On the other hand, in well-drained profiles under forest cover, the leached layers (E horizon) may be relatively thick and surface erosion minimal.

The C horizon is a soil layer found beneath the B horizon. It primarily consists of parent rock material that is more or less weathered. This layer is characterized by little to no accumulation of humus or development of soil structure. The C horizon often represents the unconsolidated material from which the upper soil layers (A and B horizons) have formed. It can be either relatively unweathered or deeply weathered. In contrast to the A and B horizons, which show distinct features due to soil-forming processes like humus accumulation and clay deposition, the C horizon is simpler in composition.123

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  1. C horizon
  2. parent material
  3. soil - Soil horizons
  4. horizon

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