surface soil
- noun
- /ˈsɜrfɪs sɔɪl/
- Specialized
:
suelo superficial
- Significantly higher dehydrogenase activity was recorded in the upper surface soil layer of 0-10 cm as compared to deeper depths of 10-20 and 20-30 cm across all the treatments.
- surface soil moisture
- surface soil layer
Examples
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Dry surface soil in the field naturally contained higher moisture levels than artificially dried soils used in previous laboratory experiments.
Academic text (2017) -
Ploughing of surface soil may have resulted in homogenized conditions.
Academic text (2014) -
Surface soil should be a stop soil and support the selected vegetation.
Academic text (1996) -
As shown in the image above, GRACE can measure surface soil moisture, root zone soil moisture, and groundwater.
Blog text (31) -
Surface run-off of precipitation depends on several factors: surface soil type and compaction, vegetation cover, surface slope, rate of precipitation, and soil saturation.
Academic text (1996) -
Univariate analysis showed higher variability of dehydrogenase activity at the surface soil layer as compared to the deeper soil layers (Fig. 2).
Academic text (2014) -
Higher microbial activity and organic mulching decomposition may be the reason for higher content at the surface soil layer. Soil Moisture: Moisture content of soil showed a gradual improvement with increasing soil depth.
Academic text (2014) -
The richness of nutrients in the surface soil supports healthy plant growth.
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Farmers often test the surface soil to ensure it is suitable for planting crops.
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In spring, the surface soil thaws, allowing for earlier planting of vegetables.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
The solid surface of the earth that people walk on and plants grow in
476
1.0
Top layer of the ground made of soil and small rocks
325
1.0
Top layer of the ground where plants grow
14
2.8
The upper layer of soil rich in nutrients where most plants grow roots
The top layer of soil that contains dark, rich plant material and where most roots grow
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the uppermost layer of soil' is directly and transparently composed from 'surface' (the exposed top layer) + 'soil' (earth layer), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning. This noun–noun compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, making it immediately comprehensible without prior exposure.
Etymology
Surface soil is the name for the top layer of the ground. surface means 'top' and soil means 'dirt', and that top dirt holds the food for plants, so surface soil means the upper layer rich in plant food.