The soil that is rich in iron oxide is known as laterite.
Laterite is a specific type of soil layer distinguished by its high concentration of iron oxides. This soil develops under particular environmental conditions, resulting in its unique composition and characteristics.
Understanding Laterite
Based on the provided information:
laterite, soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions. It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid.
This definition highlights several key aspects:
- Composition: Laterite is significantly rich in iron oxide.
- Origin: It forms from the weathering of various types of rocks.
- Formation Process: The weathering occurs under specific conditions, namely strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions.
- Location: Laterite is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions with a humid climate.
Why is Laterite Rich in Iron Oxide?
The formation process of laterite involves intense and prolonged weathering. In humid, tropical, and subtropical climates, high rainfall and temperatures accelerate the decomposition of rocks. This process, known as laterization, involves the leaching away of more soluble minerals like silica, alkali metals (like sodium and potassium), and alkaline earth metals (like calcium and magnesium).
Minerals that are less soluble, particularly iron and aluminum oxides, are left behind and become concentrated in the upper layers of the soil. This residual accumulation is what makes laterite exceptionally rich in iron oxide, and often aluminum oxide as well. The presence of hydrated iron oxides, such as goethite and hematite, gives lateritic soils their characteristic reddish or yellowish-brown coloration.
Key Characteristics of Laterite Soil
Laterite soil has several defining characteristics:
- High Iron Oxide Content: This is its most prominent feature.
- Color: Often reddish, orange, or yellowish due to iron oxides.
- Texture: Can vary, but often has a blocky or porous structure. When dry, it can become very hard, almost brick-like (the term "laterite" comes from the Latin word for brick, later).
- Low Fertility: Due to the extensive leaching of soluble nutrients, lateritic soils are often poor in essential plant nutrients.
- Location: Predominantly found in tropical and subtropical zones.
Here's a simple table summarizing key properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Feature | Rich in iron oxide |
| Color | Reddish, Orange, Yellowish |
| Formation | Weathering under oxidizing/leaching conditions |
| Climate | Humid tropical and subtropical |
| Parent Material | Wide variety of rocks |
| Nutrient Levels | Generally low (leached) |
Understanding laterite soil is important in geology, soil science, and agriculture, particularly in regions where it is prevalent. Its composition makes it a potential source of iron ore (especially bauxite, which is rich in aluminum oxides, also forms similarly), but its low fertility can pose challenges for farming without proper management.
