B horizon
Beneath the topsoil
The B horizon is the soil layer beneath the topsoil, where minerals and organic matter leached from above accumulate.
Soil scientists call it the subsoil.
It typically contains more clay, iron oxides, or calcium carbonate than surface layers: The clay-rich B horizon made digging difficult.
The letter designations (A, B, C) describe successive soil layers from surface to bedrock.
- subsoilEarth layer below surface
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- leachingDissolving out by liquid
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
- root zoneSoil surrounding active roots
minerals · accumulation · iron · iron oxides · hardpan · ochre · reddish · compacted · drainage · pedology · earthworms · digging · digging deep · strata · loam · oxidation · weathering · manganese