noun
- The process of soil formation in waterlogged conditions, characterized by the development of a gray or blue-gray color due to lack of oxygen.
Usage: soil science; technical term
verb
- To undergo or cause the process of gleying; to develop gley soil characteristics.
Usage: soil science; technical term
Examples
- Gleying occurs in poorly drained soils where water saturation prevents oxygen from reaching the soil.
- The waterlogged field showed signs of gleying, with its characteristic gray coloration.
- Heavy rainfall can accelerate the gleying process in low-lying areas.
- Soil scientists study gleying to understand how wetland ecosystems develop.
- The marsh soil was actively gleying due to constant water saturation.