* Parent material: This is the bedrock that the soil originated from. It can be igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock.
* Partially weathered fragments: The bedrock is broken down into smaller pieces by physical and chemical weathering processes. These fragments can range in size from large boulders to fine sand.
* Minerals: The minerals present in the C horizon are largely inherited from the parent material, but some may have been altered by weathering.
* Limited organic matter: The C horizon typically has very little organic matter compared to the A and B horizons.
* Less developed soil structure: The C horizon has a less developed soil structure than the A and B horizons, and often has a more dense and compact texture.
Key characteristics of the C horizon:
* Unconsolidated: The material in the C horizon is not strongly held together and can be easily broken apart.
* Little biological activity: The C horizon is typically less hospitable to plant roots and soil organisms due to its limited organic matter and moisture.
* Transitional: The C horizon is often considered a transitional zone between the weathered soil above and the unweathered bedrock below.
Understanding the composition of the C horizon is essential for understanding the development and fertility of soils.
