Slightly moist, in turn, extends from the midpoint water retention to the 1500 kPa retention. The wet class has nonsatiated and satiated subclasses distinguished on the basis of absence or presence of free water. The nonsatiated wet state may be applicable at zero suction to horizons with low or very low saturated hydraulic conductivity. These horizons may not exhibit free water. Horizons may have parts that are satiated wet and other parts, because of low matrix saturated hydraulic conductivity and the absence of conducting macroscopic pores, that are nonsatiated wet .
Free water develops positive pressure with depth below the top of a wet satiated zone.
This condition usually cannot be evaluated in the field. Further, if saturation is used for the concept of satiation, then a term is not available to describe known saturation. There is an implication of saturation if the soil material is satiated wet and coarse-textured or otherwise has properties indicative of high or very high saturated hydraulic conductivity throughout the mass. A satiated condition does not necessarily indicate reducing conditions. The presence of reducing conditions may be inferred from soil color in some instances and a test may be performed for ferrous iron in solution.