For very poor internal drainage, what is the appearance of the soil?

Study for the Iowa Soil Judging Test. Master soil concepts with interactive questions and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

For very poor internal drainage, the soil typically exhibits an all-gray appearance with no mottles. This coloration results from the anaerobic conditions prevalent in waterlogged soils, where the lack of oxygen inhibits the oxidation of iron compounds. Consequently, iron remains in its reduced state, leading to a uniform gray coloration.

In soils with very poor drainage, the water table is often at or near the surface, causing consistent saturation and prolonged periods of anaerobic conditions. This limits the formation of mottles, which usually indicate fluctuating moisture levels and some degree of drainage. Therefore, the absence of mottles in an all-gray soil signifies that the soil has remained saturated for an extended period, thus confirming its very poor internal drainage characteristics.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy