pedospheren.
/ˈpɛdə(ʊ)sfɪə/, U.S. /ˈpɛdəˌsfɪ(ə)r/ Geology.
The earth's soil layer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > [noun] > geosphere > pedosphere
pedosphere1938
1938 S. Mattson in Lantbrukshögskolans Ann. 5 261 Soils might be said to represent the sum of the mechanical and the products of the chemical interaction of the four spheres: the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere and the biosphere. They constitute a dispersed system in which the material from these four spheres alternate as dispersed phase and dispersion medium. To this sphere of spheres the name of pedosphere has been given.
1968 R. W. Fairbridge Encycl. Geomorphol. 416/1 On top of this [sc. the lithosphere] the continents have an additional soil layer or pedosphere with a depth generally of only 1–2 meters.
2002 Jrnl. Soil & Water Conservation (Nexis) 57 196 The exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere, biosphere and pedosphere is an important consideration when assessing agricultural and environmental management.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1938