The spelling of "E horizon" is determined by the phonetic sounds of its three letters. The first letter, "E," is pronounced as /i/, with a slight emphasis on the middle of the tongue. The second letter, "H," is pronounced as /heɪtʃ/, using the voiceless glottal fricative sound. The final letter, "O," is pronounced as /ɔ/, with an open mid-back vowel sound. Together, these phonetic sounds create the distinct spelling of "E horizon," which refers to a layer of soil characterized by accumulation of humus and iron in the process of soil formation.
The E horizon, also known as the Eluviation horizon, is a distinctive layer found in some soil profiles. It is characterized by a light color and texture, and is positioned below the O horizon and above the B horizon. The E horizon is primarily composed of mineral particles (such as sand, silt, and clay), but it also contains substantial amounts of organic matter.
One key characteristic of the E horizon is its leaching process. Leaching refers to the removal of minerals and nutrients from the soil as water passes through it. The E horizon is highly subject to this leaching, as it is rich in organic matter and often contains minerals and nutrients that have been washed down from the upper horizons.
Due to leaching, the E horizon often has a lower nutrient content compared to the overlying A or O horizons. It typically has a higher concentration of sand and silt particles, as the finer clay particles are washed away. This leaching process gives the E horizon its light color.
In terms of soil formation, the E horizon is an important transitional layer. It acts as a buffer between the surface horizons and the deeper B horizon, which is often enriched with minerals and nutrients that have leached down from the E horizon. The E horizon also plays a role in soil drainage and the movement of water through the soil profile.
The word "E horizon" is primarily used in the field of soil science to denote a particular layer of soil. The "E" stands for "eluviation".
The term "eluviation" originates from the Latin word "eluere" which means "to wash out". In the context of soil science, eluviation refers to the process by which fine particles and dissolved substances are removed from the topsoil by percolating water. These materials are transported and deposited in a lower soil layer, forming distinct horizons.
Hence, the "E horizon" in soil science is characterized by its light color or absence of certain minerals and organic matter, as they have been leached or washed out through the eluviation process.