Soil Structure

Soil structure describes how sand, silt & clay particles are arranged into aggregates, and can tell you a lot about the soil.

MAIN TYPES OF SOIL STRUCTURE

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GRANULAR

 

  • Small aggregates (0.5-2 cm mm).
  • Soft, rounded, porous.
  • Common in A, Ap horizons.
BLOCKY

 

  • Medium aggregates (1-5 cm).
  • Angular, sharp edges.
  • Common in B horizon.
PLATY

 

  • Various sized aggregates.
  • Thin plates.
  • Occasional in E, B horizons.

TYPES OF “UNSTRUCTURED” SOIL MATERIAL
These are forms of “structure-less” soil materials, commonly found in C horizons and occasionally in the solum.

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SINGLE GRAIN
Pretty much how it sounds…
MASSIVE
Big chunks.