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O Horizon
O horizon is the organic matter layer, or humus. Humus helps hold soil together and hold moisture and helps make the soil more fertile. Organic matter is often darker in color, from brown to red. This layer is low in mineral content but high in fiber and nutrients. O horizons are light and loose when dry.
A Horizon
A horizon can be the top layer of soil in areas with low humus content. This layer is the topsoil where you would garden. This layer is also heavy in organic matter and will be dark in color. Eluviation begins in A horizon. This transports material to deeper layers of the soil when there is excess water.
E Horizon
E Horizon is a lighter layer of soil than the A layer, and courser in texture than the B horizon below. Eluviation is the major event in this layer. Leaching aids with the removal of clay particles, iron, aluminum, and oxides. In coniferous forests, this layer is often gray in color, rather than tan, due to the quartz content. This layer is especially prominent in loamy soils with a substantial amount of vermiculite.
B Horizon
B Horizon, often called subsoil, catches the waste from the eluviation in the upper layers. This is the process of illuviation, in which fine particles collect. This layer is often heavy with calcium carbonates. B horizons are closer to the surface of the soil if there is low rainfall in an area. This layer is usually reddish in color because of its iron content.
C Horizon
C horizon is directly above the bedrock and is the parent material of the soil. Because this is at the very bottom, it receives few nutrients or contact with other formation processes. C horizon is light like dull sand and is very rocky material.