Which description represents poor internal drainage?

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

The presence of gray colors in soil is often indicative of anaerobic conditions, which occur when drainage is poor. When soils remain saturated with water, the initial brown colors—typical of well-drained soils—can transition to gray due to the reduction of iron and other minerals. The mottles seen within the gray represent fluctuating water levels, indicating that the soil experiences periodic saturation but is not consistently well-drained. Thus, the combination of gray soil with mottles serves as a clear sign of poor internal drainage, as it illustrates the waterlogging conditions that lead to the reduction process of soil components.

This is particularly important in soil judging, as understanding drainage characteristics helps in land management decisions, agricultural practices, and assessing soil health. In contrast, other options present variations of brown or only gray without mottles, which suggest different drainage conditions or a lack of saturation typical of poorly drained soils.

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