Buried horizon.—A genetic soil horizon that originally formed at or near the soil surface and is now covered by more recently deposited material. The major genetic features of the horizon were formed before burial. A buried horizon within a profile description is denoted with horizon symbol suffix “b” (e.g., Ab, Btb). The presence of one or more buried horizons does not automatically mean a buried soil is present for classification purposes. For a soil to be considered a buried soil, the technical criteria given in chapter 4 of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy must be met. See buried soil.
Figure 19.—A soil profile and landscape of a Fluvaquentic Endoaquept from Guangdong Province of China. This soil has buried diagnostic horizons starting at a depth of 80 cm (an ochric epipedon; Ab horizon and a gleyed cambic; 2Bg horizons). The soil formed in a single parent material. Note the “b” suffix is not used with non-pedogenic layers. See bisequum.
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