mineral soil

Mineral soil is soil that originates from minerals or rocks and contains minimal humus or organic matter. In contrast, wetland soils, also known as hydric soils, form under conditions of prolonged saturation or flooding, leading to oxygen-depleted zones in the upper soil layers. These wetland soils can be either organic, with at least 12% organic matter, or mineral, with less than 12% organic matter. Mineral wetland soils often show signs of gleying, a process where iron and manganese are reduced by anaerobic bacteria. The mineral content of soil is derived from rocks and their breakdown products, with particles like sand and silt being significant sources of plant nutrients. These minerals contain elements essential for plant growth, though their slow decomposition rate can limit nutrient availability.123