Soil aggregates are clusters or clods of soil particles held together by a combination of organic and inorganic materials, including organic matter, clay, and other minerals. Aggregates vary in size from microscopic granules to noticeable lumps and large clods, and are the foundation of soil structure.
Conditions where little, or no oxygen is available.
An analyte is the specific substance that is measured, identified or characterised within an analytical method. e.g., carbon is the analyte measured during soil organic carbon analysis.
Out of sync, or not occurring at the same time.
The B-horizon or subsoil is immediately below the A-horizon or topsoil. The B-horizon is visually distinct from the A-horizon, containing more clay and less organic matter. The B-horizon may consist of multiple layers.
The variety and variability among organisms, or biological diversity within species (genetic diversity), between species (organism diversity) and at the ecosystem scale (ecological diversity).
Pore formed through biological activity – either by plant roots or soil biota.
Buffering capacity with regard to acidity refers to the ability of the soil to resist changes in pH. Finely-textured clay soils often have greater buffering capacities than coarse-textured sandy soils.
Bulk density is a measure of the weight of dry soil in a given volume. The soil volume is the combined volume of solids and pores, which may contain air and/or water. Bulk density is typically measured by inserting a bulk density ring (cylinder) of known volume into the soil and then excavating around it to carefully remove both the ring and the surrounding soil. The soil is then dried and weighed. The bulk density of the soil (g/cm3) is equal to the dry weight of soil (g) divided by the soil volume (volume of the ring) (cm3).
Ability of water to move through the soil pores without the assistance of external forces, that is, in opposition to gravity.