Soil Science 301 Final Exam Updated Actual Questions And Correct Answers

SOIL SCIENCE 301 FINAL EXAM UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. What are the 16 types of subordinate distinctions I need to know?
Answer:
a b e f g h i jj k o p s ss t w x

Question:
2. a
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Highly decomposed organic material where rubbed fiber content <1/6 of the
volume

Question:
3. b
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Identifiable buried horizons in a mineral soil

Question:
4. e
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Organic material of intermediate decomposition in which rubbed fiber
content is 1/6 to 2/5 of the volume

Question:
5. f
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Frozen soil in which the horizon or layer contains permanent ice

Question:
6. g
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Strong gleying in which iron has been reduced and removed during soil
formation or in which iron has been preserved in a reduced state because of saturation with stagnant
water

Question:
7. h
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Illuvial accumulation of organic matter in the form of amorphous,
dispersible organic matter-sesquioxide complexes

Question:
8. i

,Answer:
A subordinate distinction Slightly decomposed organic material in which rubbed fiber content is more
than 2/5 of the volume

Question:
9. jj
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Cryoturbation present indicating churning of soil materials from thawing
and freezing

Question:
10. k
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Accumulation of pedogenic carbonates, commonly calcium carbonate

Question:
11. o
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Residual accumulation of sesquioxides

Question:
12. p
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Plowing or other disturbance of the surface layer by cultivation, pasturing or
similar uses

Question:
13. s
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Illuvial accumulation of sesquioxides and organic matter

Question:
14. ss
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Presence of slickensides

Question:
15. t
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Accumulation of silicate clay that either has formed in the horizon and is
subsequently translocated or has been moved into it by illuviation

Question:
16. w
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Slightly altered layer that has not undergone enough illuviation to become
argillic. Cambric horizons have different color or structure from the parent material. Sandy loam or
finer texture

, Question:
17. x
Answer:
A subordinate distinction Fragic or fragipan characteristics that result in genetically developed
firmness, brittleness, or high bulk density

Question:
18. What are the 5 diagnostic surface horizons (epipedons) that I need to know?
Answer:
histic melanic mollic ochric umbric

Question:
19. What are the 6 diagnostic subsurface horizons that I need to know?
Answer:
argillic natric kandic oxic spodic albic

Question:
20. Histic
Answer:
Diagnostic surface horizon/epipedon (histos=tissue)
- 20 to 60 cm thick organic horizon
- wet areas




Question:
21. Melanic
Answer:
Diagnostic surface horizon/epipedon (melas=black)
- very black because of high organic carbon (greater than 6%)
- typically from volcanic ash
- low bulk density




Question:
22. Mollic