> Topic:- Describing Soils > Soil Colour

Soil Colour

Colour is described using a Munsell Soil Colour Book.

This book contains pages of colours rather like a paint chart.

The soil is matched to the colour and the colour name and colour code are recorded.

10YR colour table:
- This is one of several pages from the Munsell Soil Colour book. The code specifying the colour in the top right corner is 10YR 8/8 and the colour name (not displayed) is 'Yellow'.

A Soil Matrix and Mottles:

The colour is always described using moist soil. First the colour of the matrix is described.

Any mottles are also described using abundance, size, shape, contrast and colour, for example: shown here:
- ten percent mottles of various sizes and shapes

Refer to next page for pictures of mottle soil horizons and profiles.