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The Foundation of Life:SOIL

INTRODUCTION 
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The lush greenery forests,flowing rivers and the bright blue sky are imagined as a part of life on Earth but below all this lies something which is equally important and that something is SOIL. This part of life on earth is mostly overlooked although the foundation of terrestrial life is completely based on soil. The plants,food production, regulation of water and countless organisms are supported by the soil. It is an observed fact that on land, without soil life is not possible.
Often soil is mistaken to be just a random mix of dirt but when properly noticed it has a proper unique structure which consists of different layers each with its unique physical and chemical features. These layers are known as soil horizons and in scientific terms they are known to be soil profiles. By understanding these horizons,we can appreciate the beauty of plant growth and the fascinating history of the Earth.
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In this blog post,we will delve into the soil by knowing about its definition, importance, it's formation and will also gain insights into the layers of soil.


WHAT IS SOIL?
The uppermost layer of the Earth's crust which is composed of minerals,organic matter,air and water is known as soil. The slow weathering of rocks over thousands or even millions of years leads to the formation of soil. Soil is not like sand or rock as it has life in it—it contains billions of microorganisms, insects and other organisms which make it dynamic and fertile. 
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A typical soil sample constitutes of the following materials:
•Minerals: The percentage of this component is approximately 45% and it is derived from rocks which provide essential nutrients. 
•Organic Matter: The percentage of this component is 5 percent and these are decayed plants and animals which enrich the fertility of the soil.
•Water: 25% of water is present which is held in pores and is important for the growth of plants.
•Air: 25% of air is present in the spaces of soil which allpw roots and organisms to breathe. 

FORMATION OF SOIL

The formation of soil is a slow process which can take hundreds to thousands of years. The beginning of soil formation is marked by the breakdown of rocks through weathring which is caused by wind,water,temperature changes and biological activities. With time,the organic matter from decaying plants and animals seeps into the weathered rocks thus forming soil. 
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The factors which influence the formation of soil are as follows:
●Parent Material: This term means the type of rock from which soil will be formed.
●Climate: Weathring activity is affected by rainfall patterns and temperature. 
●Living Organisms : Organic matter is upgraded by dead remains of plants,animals and microorganisms. 
●Topography : Erosion and water drainage is affected by the shape and slope of the land.
●Time: The formation of soil is extremely slow that is just 1 inch of top soil can take approximately 500 years.

SOIL PROFILE:THE LAYERS OF SOIL
When a vertical cut is made into the ground,it is noticed that soil is not uniform rather it is made up of layers which are stacked on top of each other. These layers are known as soil horizons which together form a soil profile. The layers of soil are as follows:
●O Horizon (Organic Layer)
This layer is located at the very top and constitutes major organic material such as decomposed leaves,plants and animals remains.
This layer is rich in dark and nutrient rich substance known as humus which has the ability to boost the fertility of soil.
It is mainly found in forests where fallen leaves and plant matter is accumulated. 
It provides the essential nutrients for plants and improves the structure of soil.
●A Horizon (Top Soil)
It is located just below the O Horizon and is dark in color due to humus and minerals. It constitutes a mix of organic matter and a weathered rock. It supports the roots of the plants, microorganisms and small animals like earthworms. 
It is considered as the most fertile layer which is very essential for agriculture. Most of the crops,vegetables and plants grow in this layer.
●E Horizon (Eluviation Layer)
It is sometimes present in between the A and B horizons of some soils.
It is characterized by the loss of minerals such as clay,iron or aluminum due to leaching. As compared to top soil,due to deficiency in minerals it is lighter in color.
It acts as transition layer which influence the movement of nutrients to lower horizons. 
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●B Horizon (Subsoil)
It lies beneath the top soil and contains fewer organic materials but it is rich in minerals like clay,iron and aluminum. It is lighter in color maybe reddish or brown due to the presence of minerals. The roots of larger trees often extends into this layer.
This layer stores leached materials and provides structural support to plants.
●C Horizon (Parent Material)
It is found below the subsoil and is made up of partially broken down rocks with a very little amount of organic matter and is a transition layer between soil and unweatherd rocks. It provides the raw material for the formation of soil.
●R Horizon (BedRock) 
It is the deepest layer of the soil profile which is composed of solid rock,granite,basalt or limestone. With time, the weathring breaks down the bedrock into smaller pieces which eventually forms soil. It serves as the foundation of all soil formation processes. 

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL
Soil plays an important role in almost every aspect of life on earth. Some of the key functions of soil are as follows:
 ●Supporter of Plant Growth: It provides physical support and nutrients to plants. Agriculture cannot exist without soil.
●Maintenance of Water Cycle: It absorbs,stores and filters water which helps in replenishing the ground water and regulation of floods.
●Regulation of Climate: It stores carbon which act as a Natural carbon sink that helps in reducing greenhouse gases. 
●Habitat for Organisms: From tiny bacteria to burrowing mammals,it holds great importance and habitats for an incredible diversity of life.
●Foundation for Human Activity : Buildings,roads and infrastructure all depends on the soil as their stable base.

It can be clearly said that Soil is not just a dirt—it is a living system which sustains our planet Earth.
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