HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Simonson, R. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Simonson, R. W. Agricola Articles by Simonson, R. W.

Outline of a Generalized Theory of Soil Genesis¹

ABSTRACT

Processes of soil formation have been related to prominent great soil groups by means of names such as podzolization, laterization, and solonization. A change from this point of view seems necessary when soils of the world are considered as a continuum with a number of properties in common. It is therefore proposed that soil genesis be considered as two overlapping steps; viz, the accumulation of parent materials and the differentiation of horizons in the profile. Of these two steps, the second is of more immediate concern to soil scientists.

Horizon differentiation is ascribed to additions, removals, transfers, and transformations within the soil system. Examples of important changes that contribute to development of horizons are additions of organic matter, removals of soluble salts and carbonates, transfers of humus and sesquioxides, and transformations of primary minerals into secondary minerals. It is postulated that these kinds of changes, as well as others, proceed simultaneously in all soils. It is further suggested that the balance within the combination of changes governs the ultimate nature of the soil profile. If this point of view is valid, the same kinds of changes occur in horizon differentiation in soils as unlike as Chernozems and Latosols, but the balance among the processes is not the same.

¹ Contribution from the Soil Survey, Soil Conservation Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Presented before Div. V, Soil Science Society of America, Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 18, 1957.

² Director, Soil Classification and Correlation.

Received for publication February 17, 1958. Accepted for publication May 27, 1958.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. W. Simonson Soil Classification in the United States: Classification of soils at any point in history largely reflects current understanding of soil genesis Science, September 28, 1962; 137(3535): 1027 - 1034. [PDF]