Topsoil
Topsoil is the upper layer of a soil profile, usually darker in colour (because of its higher organic matter content) and more fertile than subsoil, and which is a product of natural
biological and environmental processes. Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, Glossary of terms and list of abbreviations, DETR 2013.
Topsoil is typically between 5 - 20 cm (2 - 8 inches) deep. It can also be measured as the depth from the surface level to the subsoil, i.e. the distance to the first densely-packed layer of soil.
The topsoil is where the majority of the biological soil activity occurs, as it contains the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms, due to decomposition from animals, plants, and so on. The topsoil contains the highest concentration of plant roots, as plants acquire the majority of their nutrients from the topsoil layer.
The main elements that make up topsoil composition are:
The soil’s strength and bearing capacity depends on its skeletal structure and decreases with the presence of organic matter.
Water run-off results in minerals from the topsoil migrating down into the subsoil which can lead to mineral deficiencies in the topsoil. The knock-on effect of this is that roots have to dig deeper for nutrients. During construction it can be necessary to strip topsoil, although it should be considered that by exposing the subsoil, the rate of erosion of soil minerals increases.
Construction work can lead to the organic matter of topsoil condensing and settling in different ways, such as in roadbeds and foundations.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.