What characteristics typically indicate a clayey soil?

Clayey soils are characterized by their unique physical properties due to the small particle size of clay minerals. One of the defining traits is their sticky texture when wet, which occurs because water is held tightly by the small particles, creating a cohesive mass that can easily stick to surfaces. This sticky quality can make it difficult to work with clay soil when it is wet.

Additionally, clayey soils have low permeability, meaning they do not allow water to pass through easily. This is a result of the close packing of clay particles, which creates tiny pores that can retain water but restrict drainage. Consequently, clayey soils can become waterlogged and may take a considerable amount of time to dry out when saturated.

These properties make option B the clear indicator of clayey soil, distinguishing it from other soil types such as sandy or loamy soils, which exhibit different textures and drainage characteristics.