Soil (nonfiction)

A represents soil; B represents laterite, a regolith; C represents saprolite, a less-weathered regolith; the bottom-most layer represents bedrock.

Soil is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and countless organisms that together support life on Earth.

Soil is a natural body called the pedosphere which has four important functions: it is a medium for plant growth; it is a means of water storage, supply and purification; it is a modifier of Earth's atmosphere; it is a habitat for organisms; all of which, in turn, modify the soil.

Soil is called the "Skin of the Earth" and interfaces with its lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Diagramaceous soil

External links:

• Soil @ Wikipedia