pedogenic

Pedogenic is an adjective used in soil science to describe processes related to soil formation and development. It encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological changes that transform parent material into a mature soil, including the creation of distinct soil horizons such as organic-rich O horizons, mineral A horizons, eluviated E horizons, and illuviated B horizons.

Pedogenic processes are typically categorized as addition, loss, translocation, transformation, and mixing. Additions include input of organic matter or minerals; losses involve leaching of soluble salts and carbonates. Translocation moves materials within the soil profile, producing eluviation and illuviation. Transformations cover weathering and humification that alter minerals and organic matter. Mixing occurs through soil biota and physical disturbance, helping to blend horizons and integrate materials.

Soil formation is governed by five factors known as CLORPT: climate, organisms, relief (topography), parent material, and time. Climate influences the rate and products of weathering; organisms contribute organic matter and bioturbation; relief affects drainage and moisture regimes; parent material supplies the starting mineral suite; time determines the extent of pedogenic development.

The outcome of pedogenic processes varies by environment, yielding a range of soil types and properties. Intense tropical weathering can form highly weathered oxisols; temperate grasslands may develop thick, humus-rich mollisols; moist forests can lead to alfisols or spodosols; cold or arid regions may produce gelisols, aridisols, or entisols with limited horizon development.