Section Env-Wq 1014.01 - Definitions For purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Aquic conditions" means continuous or periodic saturation and reduction, as indicated, except in Histosols, by redoximorphic features, which can be verified, except in artificially drained soils, by measuring saturation and reduction.(b) "B horizon" means a layer of soil or soil material approximately parallel to the land surface that forms below an A, E, or O horizon.(c) "Bs horizon" means a B horizon with an accumulation of illuvial, amorphous, dispersible organic matter and sesquioxides.(d) "Bh or Bhs horizon" means a B horizon with an accumulation of illuvial, amorphous, dispersible organic matter and sesquioxides. The sesquioxide component coats sand and silt particles. The symbol "h" is used in combination with "s" as Bhs if the amount of sesquioxide component is significant but value and chroma of the horizon are 3 or less.(e) "Chroma" means the relative purity or saturation of a color, or its intensity of distinctive hue as related to grayness. Chroma is one of the 3 variables of color.(f) "E horizon" means a mineral soil horizon in which the main feature is loss of organic matter, silicate clay, iron, or aluminum, or some combination of these, leaving a concentration of sand and silt particles.(g) "Gleyed matrix" means a soil horizon matrix color resulting from prolonged periods of wetness that makes up more than 50% of the horizon or subhorizon where iron has been reduced and removed, or where saturation with stagnant water has preserved a reduced state.(h) "Matrix" means the natural soil material composed of both mineral and organic matter.(i) "Mineral soil surface" means the top of the uppermost soil horizon consisting of mineral material with less than 12 to 18 percent of organic carbon, depending on the clay content.(j) "Mottles" means the redoximorphic features comprising spots of contrasting colors in a horizon, with both high chroma and low chroma represented in the variegated colors.(k) "Redox depletions" means bodies of chroma 2 or less, having value 4 or more where iron-manganese oxides and clay have been stripped.(l) "Spodic horizon" means a subsurface layer of soil characterized by the accumulation of aluminum oxides, with or without iron oxides and organic matter.(m) "Value" means the relative lightness or intensity of color and is approximately a function of the square root of the total amount of light. Value is one of the 3 variables of color.N.H. Admin. Code § Env-Wq 1014.01
(See Revision Note at chapter heading for Env-Wq 1000) #9086, eff 2-9-08; ss by #9904-A, eff 4-16-11
Amended by Volume XXXVI Number 41, Filed October 13, 2016, Proposed by #11184, Effective 10/1/2016, Expires 10/1/2026.