4.2 - The Whole Soil Key Terms Crossword

2. The ability of a soil to hold water in the root zone.
3. The horizon of weathered rock from which sediments were derived to form later rocks.
9. A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, having distinct characteristics produced by soilforming processes.
10. A vertical section of a soil.
12. The first change with depth in texture or structure in a soil profile.
15. A thin mixture of water and any fine insoluble materials such as clay.
17. The ability of a soil to resist a change in its hydrogen-ion concentration.
19. A substance in soil, such as organic matter or clay.
20. A unit of soil structure such as an aggregate, crumb, prism, block, or granule.
21. The relative portions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a mass of soil.

1. The relative degree of downward movement of water in a soil. Also called permeability.
3. The capacity of soil or rock for transmitting a fluid.
4. The mineral and organic surface of the earth capable of supporting upland plants.
5. Soil that consists of less than 52 percent sand, 28 to 50 percent silt, and 7 to 27 percent clay.
6. The arrangement of primary soil particles into compound particles or aggregates.
7. A soil separate in the mechanical analysis of soil.
8. Matter found in, or produced by, living animals and plants.
11. The act or process of separating a solid from a liquid.
13. The group of processes whereby earth or rock material is worn away.
14. Surface or subsurface soils which presumably are fertile soils, rich in organic matter r humus debris.
16. Refers to the extent of voids or openings in the soil that exist between soil particles.
18. The process of being supplied with air.
19. Unweathered hard rock that lies directly beneath the soil layers.