Eluvial horizon

The Eluvialhorizont ( Latin lavare , to wash '), also Eluvium , washout horizon or Ae horizon , classifies a soil horizon characterized by washout in soil science .

A leaching horizon lies under an organic humus layer (L and O horizons) or under a mineral, humus topsoil (Ah horizon); Characteristic for the Ae horizon is a depletion of organic matter as well as iron and aluminum compounds. This process is known as podsolization and characterizes the podsol soil type .

An Ae horizon is a lightened, often gray-bleached zone under the humus topsoil. It is caused by strong soil acidification and the associated relocation of complex iron-humus compounds. Underneath is a leaching zone, an illuvial horizon , which is enriched with the leached substances of the Ae horizon. Depending on the prevailing leaching of humus or iron compounds, a distinction is made between the Bh and Bs horizon.

See also

• Lessivation , washing out of clay colloids

literature

• D. Schroeder: Soil science in brief. Unterägeri 1984, ISBN 3-266-00192-3 .
• Fritz Scheffer, Paul Schachtschabel: Textbook of soil science. Springer, Berlin 2018, ISBN 978-3-662-55870-6 .
• H. Sponagel: Soil Science Mapping Instructions. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-510-95920-5 .