Which of the following statements is correct?
a) the measure of a soil's capacity to hold water and air is called permeability.
b) distinctly alkaline diagnostic horizons, thin profiles, lack of organic material, and dominance of sandy materials are features most closely associated with aridisols.
c) laterization is one of the five important soil-forming factors.
d) the e horizon is typically found above the o horizon.
e) andisols are found only in tropical regions and have very poor fertility.

B) Distinctly alkaline diagnostic horizons, thin profiles, lack of organic material, and dominance of sandy materials are features most closely associated with aridisols.

Explanation:

The aridisols are types of soils that are found predominantly in arid areas. They are soils that are not considered as fertile, and are near the bottom by quality of soils. These soils are lacking organic material, and also are very exposed to erosion, with the primary reason being the climate, as it doesn't allow for lot of vegetation to grow. The horizons of the aridisols are distinctly alkaline diagnostic ones, with the profiles being very thin and labile. The top layer of the soil is dominated by sandy material, which is a result of the extensive weathering and erosion in their surroundings, so the wind is mostly transporting small sandy grains and covers most of the area with them.

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