Which soil horizon is NOT considered cambic?

In soil science, a cambic horizon is typically characterized by initial changes in soil structure or physical properties without significant illuvial accumulation of clay, iron, or other materials. It is often formed from various parent materials and is recognized for its weak development and little to no accumulation of translocated materials.

Sandy soils generally lack the finer fractions that are crucial for establishing a cambic horizon. They have large particle sizes and exhibit low cation exchange capacities and other properties typical of well-drained conditions, which do not promote the characteristic alterations seen in cambic horizons. In contrast, clay, loam, and silty soils can all develop cambic horizons due to their capacity to hold moisture and nutrients, allowing for more significant alterations in texture and structure, resulting from weathering and biological activity.

Therefore, the sandy horizon is not considered cambic because it does not exhibit the necessary physical changes associated with this horizon type, while clay, loam, and silty horizons can show the required characteristics to be classified as cambic.