hardpan

hardpan
/hahrd"pan'/, n.
1. any layer of firm detrital matter, as of clay, underlying soft soil. Cf. caliche, duricrust.
2. hard, unbroken ground.
3. the fundamental or basic aspect of anything; solid foundation; underlying reality: the hardpan of mathematical theory.
[1810-20, Amer.; HARD + PAN1]

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Cemented or compacted and often clayey layer in soil that cannot be penetrated by roots.

Lime, gypsum, iron, and other minerals may be carried up to the surface of soil by capillary action and deposited to form a natural concrete. In agricultural situations, special equipment may be used to chisel away hardpan so that crop plants can grow.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • hardpan — HÁRDPAN, hardpane, s.n. Strat impermeabil pe care nu l pot străbate rădăcinile plantelor, format din hidroxizi de fier şi alţi coloizi care se precipită. – Din engl. hard pan. Trimis de gall, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  hárdpan s. n. (sil. mf.… …   Dicționar Român

  • Hardpan — Hard pan (h[aum]rd p[a^]n), n. The hard substratum. Same as {Hard pan}, under {Hard}, a. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hardpan — [härd′pan΄] n. 1. a layer of hard soil cemented by almost insoluble materials that restrict the downward movement of water and roots 2. solid, unplowed ground ☆ 3. the hard, underlying part of anything; solid foundation …   English World dictionary

  • Hardpan — For the geography term, a dry terminus of an internally drained basin in a dry climate (i.e. salt flat/playa), see Dry lake. In soil science, agriculture and gardening, hardpan or ouklip is a general term for a dense layer of soil, usually found… …   Wikipedia

  • Hardpan — Kankar (auch Kunkur genannt) ist ein geologischer Name oder Ausdruck für eine bestimmte Art von Sediment, abgeleitet aus der Sprache Hindi in Indien. Das Sediment findet sich in Indien, Australien und den Vereinigten Staaten, oft als nodulares… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hardpan — noun Date: 1817 1. a cemented or compacted and often clayey layer in soil that is impenetrable by roots 2. a fundamental part ; bedrock …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hardpan — noun a distinct layer of soil that is largely impervious to water …   Wiktionary

  • hardpan —   a thin crust of material within a soil as a result of the illuviation of iron and/or aluminium from layers above or the precipitation of calcium carbonates which cement sands together …   Geography glossary

  • hardpan —    This develops when there are secondary calcium carbonate cementations in the lower part of the soil profile [16].    Synonym: mortar bed.    See also caliche; havara; nari …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • hardpan — n. layer of clay or other solid matter; unbroken soil; solid base, strong foundation …   English contemporary dictionary

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