Topsoil

topsoil
(1) The layer of soil moved in cultivation. See also surface soil. (2) The A horizon. (3) The Ah horizon. (4) Presumably fertile soil material used to topdress road-banks, gardens, and lawns.
total potential (of soil water) ...

TOPSOIL
Fertile or desirable soil material used to top dress roadbanks, subsoils, parent material, etc.
TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD (TMDL) ...

TOPSOIL AND RUNOFF Topsoil is the layer of soil that contains organic material and provides growing space for many plants. In technical terms topsoil is described as the "A horizon" of a soil profile.

Sediment: Topsoil, sand, and minerals washed from the land into water, usually after rain or snow melt.
Sediment Yield: The quantity of sediment arriving at a specific location.

It is characterized by low annual rainfall, a shallow layer of topsoil, and high winds. Dust devil:a spinning vortex of sand and dust that is usually harmless but may grow quite large. Also called a whirlwind.

D
Disturbed area - (Geology) Area where vegetation, topsoil, or overburden has been removed, or where topsoil, spoil, and processed waste has been placed.

Landfill - area where waste is dumped and eventually covered with dirt and topsoil.
Life cycle assessment - methodology developed to assess a product's full environmental costs, from raw material to final disposal.

Leaching: The removal of soluble organic and inorganic substances from the topsoil downward by the action of percolating water.

landfill - disposal area where garbage is piled up and eventually covered with dirt and topsoil.

farming methods continually increase soil fertility and prevent loss of topsoil to erosion, while conventional methods have the opposite effect," he says.

A horizon is the uppermost mineral horizon that contains a significant amount of organic matter. The organic matter causes this horizon to be somewhat darker colored than deeper soil horizons. The A- horizon is roughly analogous to the term topsoil.

Prairie restoration aids in the conservation of the earth's topsoil, which disappears along with the prairie grasses and plants to make way for crop growing.

Topsoil - the upper part of the soil, which is the most favorable material for plant growth. It is ordinarily rich in organic
matter and is used to rebuild road banks, lawns, and land affected by mining.

See also: Water, Condition, Soil, Organic, Environment