Where does intense leaching happens?
Zone of eluviation or illuviation
Intense leaching occurs primarily in the zone of eluviation. To understand why, let's break down the terms involved.
The zone of eluviation refers to the uppermost layer of soil, where water moves downwards and carries away minerals, nutrients, and other dissolved substances. This downward movement of water is known as leaching.
Leaching is a natural process where excess water percolates through the soil, dissolving and carrying away soluble substances. It commonly occurs in areas with high rainfall, where water can quickly penetrate the soil.
On the other hand, the zone of illuviation is the lower layer of the soil, where leached materials accumulate. These materials, carried down by the water, can deposit and accumulate in this zone, forming an enriched layer.
Now, to answer your question, intense leaching primarily happens in the zone of eluviation because this is where water enters the soil, carrying away dissolved substances as it percolates downwards. This leaching process helps to remove excess nutrients, minerals, and other substances from the upper soil layers, thereby affecting the overall nutrient content and composition of the soil.