What process is described as water moving downward through soil, removing nutrients?

The process described as water moving downward through soil and removing nutrients is known as leaching. Leaching is a critical environmental and agricultural phenomenon where water, often through rainfall or irrigation, percolates through the soil profile. As it moves, the water dissolves and carries away various substances including minerals and nutrients that are vital for soil fertility. This process can significantly impact the soil's nutrient composition, affecting plant growth and overall soil health.

Calcification refers to the accumulation of calcium carbonate in soil, typically in drier climates, and does not involve the removal of nutrients in the same way that leaching does. Evaporation is the process where water changes from liquid to vapor, primarily influencing moisture levels in the atmosphere rather than nutrient dynamics within soil. Infiltration is the initial process of water entering the soil but does not specifically describe the movement and loss of nutrients that occurs during leaching. Thus, leaching specifically indicates the downward movement of water that removes important nutrients from the soil, making it the most accurate answer.