C-horizon
Definition
Noun: - The soil layer beneath the B-horizon: The "c-horizon" is the deepest layer of soil in a typical soil profile, located directly above the unweathered bedrock. It consists primarily of partially weathered or broken parent material.
Usage
The term is used in geology and soil science to describe a specific, identifiable zone within a soil profile. - Soil scientists took a core sample to examine the composition of the c-horizon. - The c-horizon contains less organic material than the layers above it.
Advanced Usage
- "Parent material": This is a key concept related to the c-horizon, as this layer is composed of the weathered rock from which the overlying soil layers ultimately form.
- The mineral content of the topsoil is influenced by the c-horizon's parent material.
Variants and Related Words
- Soil horizon (n): A general term for any distinct layer in a soil profile, such as the O-horizon, A-horizon, B-horizon, and C-horizon.
- Regolith (n): A broader term for the layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock, which includes the c-horizon and other unconsolidated deposits.
- Bedrock (n): The solid rock that lies beneath the soil and the c-horizon.
Synonyms
- Substratum: A layer lying beneath another, often used in geological contexts.
- Parent rock layer: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its composition.
Noun
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beneath the B-horizon and above the bedrock; consisting of weathered rock