What does very poor internal drainage look like in terms of color?

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

Very poor internal drainage in soil is indicated by a uniform gray color without any mottles. This gray coloration often arises in waterlogged conditions where oxygen is limited, leading to the reduction of iron and other minerals, which typically provide color to the soil. The absence of mottles suggests a lack of fluctuating moisture levels, which would create variations in color due to the intermittent oxidation and reduction processes.

In contrast, mottled soils tend to have colors ranging from brown to gray and represent regions where water drainage fluctuates over time, allowing for some oxidation. A gray color with mottles would indicate a fluctuating moisture regime, which is not characteristic of very poor drainage. The presence of brown indicates that the soil has better aeration and drainage, and thus does not fit the criteria for identifying very poor drainage conditions. Therefore, the correct identification of very poor internal drainage is represented by soil that is all gray without mottles, underscoring stagnant water conditions that prevent the development of varying colors.

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