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Define Illuviation.

Answer – Illuviation refers to the accumulation of minerals and other soil material in a lower layer of soil due to percolation from an upper layer.

Explanation: 

Soil has many distinct layers, or horizons, which vary based on composition as follows:

1. O horizon – The surface layer made up of decomposing organic matter, or humus

2. A horizon, or topsoil – The dark colored layer composed of humus and inorganic products of weathering

3. E horizon – The light colored, fine layer that contains mostly sand and silt due to heavy leaching of organic matter, chemicals, and clay 

4. B horizon, or subsoil – The layer rich in clay and mineral deposits but poor in organic matter

5. C horizon – The cracked parent bedrock layer with trace amounts of organic matter

6. R horizon – The bottommost layer comprising unweathered bedrock

Layers of soil from O Horizon at the top through A, E, B, C, and R Horizons
©VectorMine / Adobe Stock

Over extended periods of time, humus, clay, iron, and other minerals are leached from the A and E horizons, causing their build up in the B horizon. This loss of organic and inorganic material through leaching/percolation is called eluviation, while their accumulation through the same means is known as illuviation. The A and E horizons are thus the zones of eluviation, while the B horizon (or subsoil) is the zone of illuviation.


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