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Glite Dictionary
B horizon

B horizon

9.1
A soil layer under the topsoil that holds minerals and bits of dead plants
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : horizonte B
  • The B horizon often contains more clay than the layers above it.

Examples

  • Organic matter is sometimes transported from the topsoil down into the B horizon.

  • Farmers study the B horizon to understand drainage and soil fertility.

  • The B horizon is crucial for soil fertility.

  • Farmers often analyze the B horizon for nutrient content.

  • Farmers study the B horizon to understand drainage and soil fertility.

  • Organic matter is sometimes transported from the topsoil down into the B horizon.

  • The B horizon often contains more clay than the layers above it.

Synonyms

subsoil
vsB horizon
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A layer of soil under the topsoil and above the rock that has less plant material and more minerals

focuses on layers that collect minerals and organic matter leached from above
B-horizon
vsB horizon
  • Specialized
9.8

A soil layer below the top layer that holds minerals and dead plant material carried down

is the same in meaning but written without a hyphen
undersoil
vsB horizon
  • Specialized
6.7

A layer of soil below the topsoil and above the rock under the ground

specifies that this layer is defined by accumulation of leached materials

Surface Forms

B horizon singular
B horizons plural

Morphology

B + horizon

The phrase simply combines the letter label 'B' with 'horizon' (a soil layer), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a particular labeled soil layer. However, the detailed sense—that it lies beneath the A horizon and is characterized by mineral/organic accumulation—relies on disciplinary convention (soil-profile labeling) and is not fully predictable from the constituents alone.

Etymology

B horizon comes from the way people study soil: they see soil as layers and use the letter B for the second layer while horizon was used like the word 'layer'. So B horizon means the soil layer under the topsoil where minerals and organic matter collect.