1. What is the color of each horizon?

(Lakewood: A horizon is black to light brownish-gray; B horizon is yellowish brown, etc. Refer to Pinelands Soils Charts 1 and 2 for complete information)

 

2. What do you think are the reasons for these colors?

(Dark coloration is caused by humus, light indicates the lack of humus and minerals that have been leached from the soil , yellow to red indicates iron in the soil

 

3. How does the color change as you move from horizon to horizon?

(answer depends on soil series-refer to the Pinelands Soils Charts)

4. What does the color change indicate?

(water washes mineral and humus down through the soil)

5. What is the texture of each horizon?

(depends on soil type- Atsion goes from sand to loamy sand to sand - consult the Pinelands Soils Charts)

6. Does this horizon remain the same or change as you change from horizon to horizon? If so, how?

(Soil texture will vary with the soil series-consult the Pinelands Soils Charts)

7. What do you think the change in texture indicates?

(A change in texture indicates a change in soil composition, i.e. sandy loam indicates some silt and clay while going to sand indicates the absence of silt and clay)

8. Is the A horizon influenced by organic material? If so, how?

(water passes through this horizon carrying humus and minerals with it to the B horizon)

9. Does water cause any change or influence color or texture of the soil? If so, how?

(A horizon is light gray and contains no minerals,as water has washed them into B horizon. In B horizon, the colors are often red, yellow, or brown indicating oxidation of iron in the soil has occurred)