Podsol soil profile

• This is what a podsol soil profile looks like: 4 layers with an iron pan between ash grey eluviated layer (lower A Horizon) and B

  
• AO Horizon: Coniferous forests, layer of needles and cones, slow decomposition, precipitation > evaporation and acidic (mor) humus
• A Horizon: Top of A horizon stained darker by humus, shallow roots
• Lower A Horizon: Ash grey eluviated layer with sandy texture
• Between A and B Horizon: Iron pan develops and impedes drainage, well defined horizons as Biota is limited due to cold climate
• B Horizon: Reddish brown colour, denser texture, high rates of leaching (downward movement of water), illuviated layer with accumulation of humus and iron and clay
• C Horizon: Partially weathered parent material, generally glacial or fluvioglacial material