Carriers or Weathering Agents
The important carriers or the weathering agents of soil formation are as mentioned below:
Glacier
When the glaciers tend to move from one part to another, the soil is pushed further with them and the drifted materials are deposited miles away from the place of its formation and when the glaciers tend to melt, huge heaps of soil are left and part of that soil is carried by the streams.
Water
The soil particles are transported with water, as the rivers flow. The smallest particles of the soil are transported further and heavier particles are settled down earlier soils are deposited along banks of rivers, termed to be alluvial soil, which is rich in mineral contents and rainfall also tends to play a very important role.
Wind
Wind plays a vital role in the transportation of huge quantities of soil from one place to another and loose soils are carried away by the wind from one place to the next.
Soil Formation
Soil formation occurs continuously but slowly, from the gradual breaking down of the rocks by the processes of weathering. Weathering can be physical, chemical as well and biological processes. The soil is considered to be one of the most essential natural resources and is the base for the growth of vegetation, on which our nutrition and livelihood depend. Soil is also the main source on which many microorganisms such as earthworms, rates, and several other species live. The soil forms continuously but slowly, from a gradual breakdown of rocks by weathering.
Table of Content
- What is Soil?
- Soil Formation
- Soil Formation Diagram
- Factors of Soil Formation
- Types of Soil Formation
- 4 Processes of Soil Formation
- Carriers or Weathering Agents
- Soil Formation and Weathering Processes
- Soil Profile
- Soil Profile Diagram