The vertical distribution of soil organic matter predicted by a simple continuous model of soil organic matter transformations

•The continuous model of soil organic matter (SOM) vertical distribution is suggested.•SOM distributions over humification rate are mapped onto SOM content profiles.•Model parameters are linked with trends of SOM transformation in different soil types. New modification of the simple continuous model of soil organic matter (SOM) transformation is proposed. The modification allows to convert a SOM distribution over humification rate to a SOM distribution over depth and vice versa. Qualitative correspondence of calculated curve patterns of SOM vertical distributions to observed ones for different soil types is shown.