Soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from rocks weathering under oxidizing and leaching conditions—

Correct option is D

Laterite is a soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions.
· It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid and hot.
· It contains the iron oxide minerals goethite, HFeO2; lepidocrocite, FeO(OH); and hematite, Fe2O3. It also contains titanium oxides and hydrated oxides of aluminum, the most common and abundant of which is gibbsite, Al2O3.3H2O.
· The aluminum-rich representative of laterite is bauxite.
· In India, laterite soil is widespread, covering over 10% of the total geographical area.