[The Cooperative Soil Survey] Soils Tutorial: Glossary

Glossary

Definitions from the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Clay As a soil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0002 millimeter in diameter As a soil textural class, soil material that is 40 percent or more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt.

Clay film A thin coating of oriented clay on the surface of a soil aggregate or lining pores or root channels. Synonyms: clay coating, clay skin.

Claypan A compact, slowly permeable soil horizon that contains much more clay than the horizon above it. A claypan is commonly hard when dry and plastic or stiff when wet.

Clay	As a soil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0002 millimeter in diameter As a soil textural class, soil material that is 40 percent or more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt.
Clay film	A thin coating of oriented clay on the surface of a soil aggregate or lining pores or root channels. Synonyms: clay coating, clay skin.
Claypan	A compact, slowly permeable soil horizon that contains much more clay than the horizon above it. A claypan is commonly hard when dry and plastic or stiff when wet.