Final answer:
The differential removal of soil particles refers to how various soil components are eroded at different rates. This process can alter soil quality by affecting nutrient levels and the soil's physical structure, and it's influenced by climate, vegetation, topography, agriculture, and the presence of organic matter like humus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term differential removal of soil particles refers to B. The varied erosion rates of different soil components. This process involves the transport or erosion of soil particles at different rates based upon their size, density, and other physical and chemical properties. For example, lighter, smaller particles like silt may be carried away by wind or water more easily than larger, heavier particles like sand. In addition, certain minerals within the soil can also be more susceptible to weathering and erosion, thus causing a differential pattern in the removal of soil particles. Soil erosion can impact the soil quality by selectively removing certain nutrients and altering the soil's physical structure.
Factors influencing soil erosion and removal include the chemical composition of the soil, climate, vegetation cover, topography, and human activities such as agriculture which can accelerate or mitigate the loss of soil particles. The organic matter in the soil, such as humus, plays a key role in maintaining soil structure and fertility by binding soil particles together and retaining water and minerals. Over time, soil profiles change and evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of these processes.