Final answer:
The processes most commonly involved in soil formation are weathering, organic matter accumulation, and leaching, which lead to the development of distinct soil horizons over time, heavily influenced by chemical weathering and other factors like parent material and climate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The processes most commonly involved in soil formation are weathering, organic matter accumulation, and leaching. During weathering, parent material is broken down both chemically and physically. Organic matter accumulates from plants and animals adding nutrients and structure to the soil. Leaching then occurs as water percolates through the soil, removing soluble substances and contributing to the formation of soil horizons.
Chemical weathering is a key part of the soil formation process, where minerals in rock alter to become more stable under surface conditions. This results in substances that are easily incorporated into soils, such as silicate clays, oxides of iron and aluminium, and dissolved ions like calcium, potassium, and sodium.
Soil profiles form through the interaction of five main factors: parent material, climate, organisms, topography, and time. These factors influence the development of soil horizons, including organic-rich surface layers and underlying layers that reflect the characteristics of the bedrock.