镁对土壤某些理化性质的影响

本文研究了镁离子在土壤中的吸附特性和交换性镁对土壤某些物理性质的影响。试验结果表明:镁盐阴离子对镁离子侵入土壤吸收复合体能力的影响为:CO₃^2->SO₄^2->Cl^-。在低浓度下,Mg²+在Na⁺陪伴下较其单独存在时更易被含MgCO₃的石灰性土壤吸附。在混合盐溶液中,当盐渍度和SAR一定时,Na⁺在Na⁺-Mg²⁺体系中比在Na⁺-Ca²⁺体系中更易被土壤吸附。当ESP一定时,随着土壤吸收复合体中交换性镁百分率(EMP)的增加,分散系数逐渐增加,饱和导水率和毛管水上升高度逐渐降低,当EMP>60%时,不再发生变化。随着ESP的增加,交换性镁的不良影响逐渐变小。     

我国几种主要土壤胶体的NH4+吸附特征

本文讨论我国几种主要土壤胶体的NH₄⁺吸附特征。土壤胶体对NH₄⁺的吸附符合两种表面Langmuir方程。土壤胶体对NH₄⁺的结合能力强弱顺序是:黄棕壤>黑土、(土娄)土>红壤>砖红壤,而NH₄⁺的解吸率大小顺序与此相反。Langmuir吸附方程参数K₁与土壤胶体的粘粒矿物组成有关,并与土壤胶体对NH₄⁺的相对偏好性(A值)呈正相关。Langmuir参数(M₁+M₂)与土壤胶体的CEC呈正相关,去有机质(OM.)前后△K₁与△OM.呈反相关。去有机质可增加土壤胶体对NH₄⁺的偏好性。土壤胶体的NH₄⁺吸附和解吸特征决定于其组成和表面性质,并受有机无机复合作用的影响。永久电荷吸附位对NH₄⁺的偏好性较强,而可变电荷吸附位则较弱。     

皖南山地主要土壤的特征和分类问题

本文研究了皖南山地主要土壤的特征和分类。结果表明,本区土壤风化和淋溶作用强,富铝化特征明显,且随海拔高度的增加,土壤特征有差异。海拔600-700m以下的土壤,B层颜色以红棕色和亮红棕色(5YR5/6-5/8)为主,粉砂/粘粒值小于1.00,风化淋溶系数小于0.35,盐基饱和度小于35%,粘粒SiO₂/Al₂O₃多小于2.4。粘粒矿物以高岭石为主。氧化铁的活化度和络合度低,表层HA/FA小于0.35。该类土壤定为黄红壤(红壤土类中的一个亚类)。海拔600-700m以上的土壤,B层颜色以黄色(2.5Y8/6)和亮黄棕色(10YR6/6-6/8)为主,粉砂/粘粒值大于1.00,风化淋溶系数大于0.35,盐基饱和度小于35%,粘粒SiO₂/Al₂O₃一般大于2.3。粘粒矿物以蛭石和高岭石为主,并有较多的三水铝石出现。氧化铁的活化度和络合度高,表层HA/FA值0.35-0.75。该类土壤定为黄壤。从粘粒矿物组成和SiO₂/Al₂O₃,判断,皖南山地上部不存在山地黄棕壤和山地棕壤。土壤垂直带谱主要由黄红壤和黄壤构成。     

用电导热散法研究可变电荷土壤粘粒与离子的相互作用

本工作选用二种可变电荷土壤粘粒(<2μ),分别含有0.35×10^-4-1.3×10^-4mol/L的不同电解质,在不同含水量下,在5—50℃范围内测量其直流电导率的变化。试验结果表明,电导热散法是研究土壤粘粒与离子相互作用的有用手段;电导率-温度曲线上的折点温度是随含水量、电解质种类和土壤类型而不同。在相同含水量下,含有不同电解质的红壤体系的折点温度具有如下的变化顺序:CaCl₂>Na₂SO₄>KCl>Ca(NO₃)₂>NaNO₃;砖红壤体系的折点温度明显高于红壤体系。折点温度的高低是土壤粘粒与离子相互作用强度的反映。     

土壤对铜离子的专性吸附及其特征的研究

供试土壤专性吸附铜的等温线均符合Langmuir方程。红壤吸附量最低,砖红腹与黄泥土最大吸附量相近,但在铜浓度低时砖红壤吸铜量远低于黄泥土,而在高浓度则反之。土壤专性吸附铜是在溶液中Na⁺浓度比Cu²⁺高8.3—100倍条件下,Na⁺离子仍不足以与之竞争的那些专性吸附点所吸持的铜。按其解吸条件区分为松结合铜(可为N NH₄Cl解吸)和紧结合铜(仅能为0.1 N HCl解吸)两种。紧结合铜受平衡溶液铜浓度影响很小,所占据的吸附点对Cu²⁺有较强亲和力。松结合铜则随平衡铜溶液浓度增大而增加,符合Langmuir方程。对于砖红壤和黄泥土,在铜浓度低时紧结合铜>松结合铜;浓度高时则反之。红壤专性吸附铜始终以松结合铜为主。三种土壤比较,紧结合铜是砖红壤>黄泥土>红壤;松结合铜则是黄泥土>砖红壤>红壤。造成这些差别的原因可能与土壤性质、氧化物、有机质和粘土矿物组成等不同有关。用平衡法研究三种土壤专性吸附铜在不同浓度NH₄Cl和HCl溶液中的解吸表明,可进一步区分为三或四种不同的结合状况。红壤对铜吸附容量最小,且最易解吸。     

克拉玛依人工碳汇林区景观地球化学特征与规律

以克拉玛依人工碳汇林区的土壤可溶性盐分离子、地下水矿化度和植被为研究对象, 综合运用描述性统计和相关性分析等方法, 研究其景观地球化学特征, 旨在通过对克拉玛依人工碳汇林区的景观地球化学特征的研究, 为这一地区盐渍化土壤改良和沙漠化防治提供理论依据。结果表明: 克拉玛依人工碳汇林区土壤Cl^-、SO₄^2-、Ca²⁺在0~80 cm范围内变异系数较大, 80~100 cm范围内, 土壤总盐和各离子变异系数相对较小; 盐分表聚现象严重; 该地区盐土类型主要是硫酸盐型, 其中SO₄^2-和Na⁺+K⁺为土壤可溶性盐的主要成分。研究区地下水呈弱碱性, 除HCO₃^-外, 其他离子和矿化度表现出较强的变异性; 地下水的化学类型主要为Cl·SO₄-Na, 矿化度和Cl^-、SO₄^2-、Na⁺+K⁺相关系数较为显著。种植人工碳汇林后, 除土壤HCO₃^-含量有轻微上升外, 其他离子均有所下降, 其中SO₄^2-含量的降低趋势最为明显。俄罗斯杨林分土壤含盐量随种植年限的增长明显降低, 种植后的土壤盐渍化状况有明显改善。     

不同有机物料对盐碱土的淋洗效果研究

主要通过土柱模拟试验探究不同有机物料对渗滤液的盐分和可溶性有机碳（DOC）以及不同深度土壤盐分、有机质和微生物生物量碳氮的影响,设置有机硅功能肥（WO）、颗粒状有机物料（YP）、粉末状有机物料（GG）、颗粒状有机物料和粉末状有机物料各50%（YG）以及不添加有机物料（CK）共5个处理。结果表明,有机物料的添加提高了渗滤液的EC值及水溶性Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺和Na⁺含量,YP处理的渗滤液盐基离子含量最高,而WO处理的渗滤液中DOC含量最低;与CK处理相比,WO处理显著提高各深度土层的水溶性Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺和K⁺含量,显著降低各深度土层的pH、交换性Na⁺、碱化度（ESP）和0—20 cm土层的水溶性Na⁺和钠吸附比（SAR）,但其他有机物料的处理对pH、EC值和盐分等无显著影响;淋洗作用使表层土壤（0—20 cm）盐分向土壤深层移动,淋洗结束后,各处理的土壤EC值、水溶性总盐、交换性Na⁺和ESP随着土层深度的增加而升高;与CK处理相比,GG和YG处理显著提高0—20 cm土层的有机质含量,分别提高23.97%和20.53%。研究结果为有机物料的添加对盐碱地淋洗过程中盐分和有机质的变化提供了理论的数据参考。     

塔里木盆地西南缘典型灌区土壤盐渍化特征分析——以塔吉克阿巴提镇为例

在野外GPS定点定位调查、土壤样品分析的基础上,借助Excel和ArcGIS9.3等软件,对新疆自治区喀什市岳普湖县塔吉克阿巴提镇0-30cm土层的盐离子特征、灌区土壤盐渍化现状及空间分布特征进行了分析。结果表明,0-30cm土层土壤中的离子以Cl^-,SO₄^2-,Na⁺,Ca²⁺为主Na+与Cl^-呈极显著正相关关系,相关系数为0.98,HCO₃^-与其它6种离子(Na⁺,Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺,K⁺,Cl^-,SO₄^2-)呈负相关关系受灌排系统影响较大的农田0-30cm土壤中Cl^-/SO₄^2-比值远小于不受灌排系统影响的荒地农田和荒地0-30cm土壤中的Cl^-/SO₄^2-比值与总盐呈正相关关系,相关系数依次为0.68和0.32。现阶段对塔吉克阿巴提镇灌区农业危害最严重的是氯化物-硫酸盐盐渍化土,硫酸盐盐渍化土表现为盐渍化土地向非盐渍化土地转变的过渡类型非盐渍化农田及轻度盐渍化农田主要分布在开垦较早,灌排系统畅通的区域,灌排系统不畅通的区域仍然处于脱盐缓慢或持续积盐的状态。     

土壤电化学性质的研究——Ⅹ.红壤胶体的表面性状和离子专性吸附对表面电荷性质的影响

根据可变电荷和永久电荷共存的土壤体系的模式,研究了一个砖红壤和一个红壤胶体的表面电荷特性。由于两种土壤胶体的矿物成分和铁铝氧化物的含量不同,砖红壤胶体的pH。值、ZPNC和IEP都高于红壤胶体者。红壤胶体的永久负电荷量多,其pH₀与ZPNC的差值也大。土壤加3%的有机质淹水培育4个月后,胶体的腐殖质含量增加不足0.5%,对胶体的pH₀的影响不明显。砖红壤胶体用磷酸盐或硅酸盐处理后,表面正电荷减少,负电荷增多,pH₀值和IEP都降低。磷酸盐的效应较硅酸盐为甚。不同浓度的KCl溶液中存在少量SO₄^2-时,砖红壤胶体的正电荷减少,负电荷增加,ZPNC和pH₀值降低;如存在少量Ca²⁺,则pH₀值升高。以单一的K₂SO₄、为支持电解质时,pH₀值较KCl者为高。     

基于土壤光谱特征的宁夏银北地区盐碱地盐分预测研究

对宁夏回族自治区银北地区盐碱地野外土壤表层光谱反射率和土壤全盐及盐分进行定量分析,筛选出各土壤盐分指标的敏感波段,然后采用全回归和逐步回归的方法建立各盐分的预测模型。结果表明：表层土壤高光谱反射率r,及其平滑去嗓处理后的值R,lg(R)与全盐含量呈极显著正相关关系,1/R,lg(1/R)与全盐呈极显著负相关关系,(R)'和〔lg(1/R)〕'在特定单波段处表现较佳;土壤表层光谱反射率与CO₃^2-的相关性最强,其次是SO₄^2-;土壤光谱反射率与Na⁺的相关性在各种变换方法下均较强,其次为Mg²⁺,与Ca²⁺的相关性最弱。基于R的逐步回归方程为全盐含量预测的最佳模型;基于土壤光谱反射率拟合土壤CO₃^2-的准确度略高于对土壤HCO₃^-;敏感波段估测土壤SO₄^2-含量的决定系数明显高于其他阴离子;采用〔lg(1/R)〕'逐步回归得到的方程拟合土壤Na⁺,K⁺和Mg²⁺含量相对于其他变换方式效果更理想。预测模型中对土壤全盐和Na+的模型精度较高,预测能力强;光谱对土壤SO₄^2-和Mg²⁺的预测能力也较强;对土壤Cl^-和Ca²⁺的预测稳定性、预测能力和精度都较差。     

腐殖酸和溶液的pH对Na和Ca土壤粘土分散的影响

Dispersed soil clays have a negative impact on soil structure and contribute to soil erosion and contaminant movement.In this study,two typical soils from the south of China were chosen for investigating roles of pH and humic acid(HA) on dispersion of soil clays.Critical flocculation concentration (CFC) of the soil clay suspension was determined by using light transmission at a wavelength of 600 nm.The results indicated that effects of pH and HA on dispersion of the soil clays were closely related to the type of the major minerals makin up the soil and to the valence of the exchangeable cations as well.At four rates of pH(4,6,8and 10),the CFC for the Na-yellow-brown soil treated with H2O2 was increased from 0.32 to 0.56,6.0 to 14.0,10.0 to 24.6 and 26.0 to 52.0mmol L^-1 NaCl,respectively when Na-HA was added at the rate of from 0 to 40mgL^-1,With the same Na-HA addition and three pH(6,8and 10)treatments,the CFC for the Na-red soil was incresed from 0.5 to 20.0,1.0 to 40.0 and 6.0 to 141.0mmol L^-1 NaCl,respectively.Obviously,pH and HA has greater effects on clay dispersion of the red soil(dominated by 1:1 minerals and oxides) than on that of the yellow-brown soil(dominated by 2:1minerals).However,at three rates of pH(6,8and 10) and with the addition of Ca-HA from 0 to 40mg L^-1,the CFC of the Ca-yellow-brown soil and Ca-red soil treated with H2O2 was increased from 0.55 to 0.81,0.75 to 1.28,0.55 to 1.45and 0.038 to 0.266.0.25 to 0.62,0.7to 1.6mmol CaCl2 L^-1,respectively.So,Na-soil claye are more sensitive to pH and HA than Ca-soil clays.     

胡敏酸对铵钾在粘土矿物上交互作用的影响

Interaction of ammonium (NH+4) and potassium (K+) is typical in field soils. However, the effects of organic matter on interaction of NH+4 and K+have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we examined the changes in major physicochemical properties of three clay minerals (kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite) after humic acid (HA) coating and evaluated the influences of these changes on the interaction of NH+4 and K+on clay minerals using batch experiments. After HA coating, the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and specific surface area (SSA) of montmorillonite decreased significantly, while little decrease in CEC and SSA occurred in illite and only a slight increase in CEC was found in kaolinite. Humic acid coating significantly increased cation adsorption and preference for NH+4, and this effect was more obvious on clay minerals with a lower CEC. Results of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis showed that HA coating promoted the formation of H-bonds between the adsorbed NH+4 and the organo-mineral complexes. HA coating increased cation fixation capacity on montmorillonite and kaolinite, but the opposite occurred on illite. In addition, HA coating increased the competitiveness of NH+4 on fixation sites. These results showed that HA coating affected both the nature of clay mineral surfaces and the reactions of NH+4 and K+with clay minerals, which might influence the availability of nutrient cations to plants in field soils amended with organic matter.     

Dispersion and zeta potential of pure clays as related to net particle charge under varying pH, electrolyte concentration and cation type

The effect of changing pH and electrolyte concentration on the dispersion and zeta potential of Na-and Ca-forms of kaolinite, illite and smectite was investigated in relation to changes in their net negative charge. The percentage of dispersible Na-clay and the percentage increase in net negative charge was positively correlated with pH, but the slopes varied from clay to clay. In general, the net negative charge was the primary factor in clay dispersion, and the pH affected clay dispersion by changing the net charge on clay particles. Na-smectite had larger net charge at all pHs than Na-illite and Na-kaolinite, and it always had larger flocculation values. The role of electrolyte concentration could be due to its effect both on flocculation and variable charge component of the clay minerals. The zeta potential at different pHs also reflected the same trend of clay dispersion with net particle charge. In Ca-clays the trends were similar to Na-clays up to pH 7.0. In more alkaline solution CaCO₃ formation led to charge reduction on clay particles, resulting in flocculation and reduction of zeta potential. At similar pHs the electrophoretic mobilities of all the clays showed constant potential behaviour. However, the zeta potentials of Ca-clays were always smaller than those of sodic clays because the clays were more aggregated. Net particle charge was the most important factor in controlling clay dispersion for the whole range of pH and ionic strength and for all types of cations.     

Hydraulic conductivity of calcareous soils as affected by salinity and sodicity. I. effect of concentration and composition of leaching solution and type and amount of clay minerals of tested soils

Abstract

Although there is generally no physical problem with salt‐affected soils when irrigated with saline and sodic waters, physical deterioration of the soils often results when leached with good quality (low salt and low sodium) irrigation water or by rain. Two major mechanisms of swelling and dispersion of clay particles have been proposed to be responsible for reduction in hydraulic conductivity (HC). The type and amount of clay minerals are major factors influencing the swelling and dispersion properties of soil in the presence of saline‐sodic solutions. The study was initiated to improve the understanding of swelling and dispersion processes in response to saline‐sodic conditions, particularly the role of the type and amount of clay minerals of the tested soils and the concentration of the leaching solutions. The study was conducted in a series of two leaching experiments. In the first experimental soil samples were leached with solutions of different combinations of 100 meq (NaCl+CaCl₂)L^‐1 and sodium adsorption ratio (SARs) 5, 10, 15, and 20. In the second, 8 samples of them selected to be leached with solutions of the same SARs of 5, 10, 15, and 20, but the higher concentration of 1000 meq (NaCl+CaCl₂)L^‐1. The changes in the HCs were determined through the concept of “the Sensitivity Index‐SI values”;. In general, solutions with lower concentrations and higher SAR resulted in greater reductions in the soil HC (i.e, SI value), and the SI values and SAR level showed a negative linear relationship. With respect to the regression equations between the SI values and the swelling/dispersion processes, and the relatively coarse texture as well as the mineralogical composition of the tested soils which shows the dominant clay minerals in almost all tested soils is non‐expanding dispersive quartz, illite and chlorite, it may be concluded that the slaking of the soil structure is responsible for blockage of the conducting pores and reduction in the HCs of the tested soils.     

Clay dispersion and its relation to surface charge in a paddy soil of the Red River Delta,Vietnam

Dispersion is an important issue for clay leaching in soils. In paddy soils of the Red River Delta (RRD), flooding with fresh water and relatively high leaching rates can accelerate dispersion and the translocation of clay. For the clay fraction of the puddled horizon of a typical paddy soil of the RRD, the effect of various cations and anions as well as humic acid (HA) at different pH values on the surface charge (SC) were quantified and the dispersion properties were determined in test tubes and described by the C₅₀ value. In the <2 µm fraction, dominated by illite, the proportion of 2:1 vs. 1:1 clay minerals is 5:1. The organic‐C content of the clay fraction is 2.2%. Surface charge was found to be highly pH‐dependent. At pH 8 values of –32 and at pH 1 of –8 mmol_c kg^–1 were obtained. Complete dispersion was observed at pH > 4, where SC is > –18 mmol_c kg^–1. The flocculation efficiency of Ca strongly depends on the pH. At pH 4, the C₅₀ value is 0.33, 0.66 at pH 5, and 0.90 mmol L^–1 at pH 6. At pH 6, close to realistic conditions of paddy soils, the effect of divalent cations on the SC and flocculation decreases in the order: Pb > Cu > Cd > Fe^II > Zn > Ca > Mn^II > Mg; Fe^II was found to have a slightly stronger effect on flocculation than Ca. An increase in concentrations of Ca, Mn^II, and Mg from 0 to 1 mmol L^–1 resulted in a change in SC from –25 to approx. –15 mmol_c kg^–1. In comparison, the divalent heavy‐metal cations Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn were found to neutralize the SC more effectively. At a Pb concentration of 1 mmol L^–1, the SC is –2 mmol_c kg^–1. From pH 3 to 5, the dispersion of the clay fraction is facilitated rather by SO than by Cl^–, which can be explained by the higher affinity of SO to the positively charged sites. With an increase of the amount of HA added, the SC continuously shifts to more negative values, and higher concentrations of cations are needed for flocculation. At pH 3, where flocculation is usually observed, the presence of HA at a concentration of 40 mg L^–1 resulted in a dispersion of the clay fraction. While high anion concentrations and the presence of HA counteract flocculation by making the SC more negative, Fe^II and Ca (C₅₀ at pH 6 = 0.8 and 0.9 mmol L^–1, respectively) are the main factors for the flocculation of the clay fraction. For Fe^II and Ca, the most common cations in soil solution, the C₅₀ values were found to be relatively close together at pH 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Depending on the specific mineralogical composition of the clay fraction, SC is a suitable measure for the determination of dispersion properties and for the development of methods to keep clay particles in the soil in the flocculated state.     

中国土壤颗粒研究 Ⅲ.赣中丘陵旱地红壤及其各级颗粒的理化特性

赣中丘陵第四纪红色粘土上发育的旱地红壤中粘土矿物的细粘粒(<0.001毫米)部分以高岭石和蛭石为主,并有一定量的水云母和夹层矿物。各级颗粒的化学组成中,随颗粒由粗到细,SiO₂的含量大体上也由高到低;Fe₂O₃的含量则是砂粒级稍稍超过粉粒级,后一情况与作者过去对太湖地区两种水稻土(白土和黄泥土)研究的结果相似。供试红壤粒径<0.005毫米的颗粒才显示抗压强度,而上述水稻土从<0.05毫米的颗粒就开始有抗压强度。同前所试水稻土一样,在供试红壤中,粒径<0.002毫米的颗粒开始表现出可塑性及膨胀性。     

中国土壤颗粒研究 Ⅱ.太湖地区黄泥土型水稻土及其各级颗粒的理化特性

对太湖平原地区高产的黄泥土型水稻土的全土(<1毫米)及7个粒级(1—0.25,0.25—0.05,0.05—0.01,0.01—0.005,0.005—0.002,0.002—0.001和<0.001毫米)共8个土样,进行测定。结果表明:黄泥土粘粒部分(<0.002毫米)的粘土矿物,主要由水云母、高岭和蒙脱组成。粗粘粒级(0.002—0.001毫米)和细粘粒级(<0.001毫米)中粘土矿物的分配有明显差异;砂粒级(1—0.05毫米)中除了主要的石英外,还含有少量“铁锰砂”,所以该粒级中的SiO₂含量较粉粒级(0.05—0.002毫米)的低,而Fe₂O₃的含量则相反,容积磁化率也较高;可塑性和膨胀性都是在<0.002毫米时才始现。上述特点与作者过去所研究的白土型水稻土类似。但是,与国内外报道的几种旱地土壤的资料有所不同。     

Simulated acid rain (H2SO4) and microbial activity in soil

Soil mixtures containing 9% kaolinite, 9% montmorillonite, or no clay supplements were amended with 1% glucose and treated with H₂SO₄ to lower their bulk pH to levels ranging from 5.4 to 0.8. Acidification had little effect on soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) until the pH was lowered below 3. Glucose was not degraded at approximately pH 2 but was degraded once the soil pH was raised to non-inhibitory levels, i.e. pH 4.1–4.3. When the soil pH was reduced to 1.4 or below, it was necessary to reinoculate the soil and raise the pH to a non-inhibitory level to obtain CO₂ evolution. The addition of clay minerals, particularly montmorillonite, mitigated the toxic effect of H₂SO₄, especially at pH values below 3. The growth of Aspergillus niger, A. flavipes, Trichoderma viride and Penicillium brefeldianum was reduced or completely inhibited in soils acidified below pH 3.5. The addition of montmorillonite enhanced fungal growth under these acidic conditions, but kaolinite had no effect.     

Effect of Addition of Al Hydroxides on Changes in Dispersibility and Charge Characteristics of Soils

Using a soil from a newly reclaimed area where high dispersibility of fine particles had led to poor physical properties in the field, changes in dispersibility and charge characteristics after artificial precipitation of Al hydroxides onto the soil were investigated. Al hydroxides were precipitated by neutralization with NaOH of an acidic A1C1₃ solution in which the soil samples were placed.

When the titration rates were changed, no significant differences in dispersibility were observed in the resultant soils. In the systems with the addition of 2 g kg^-1 or less of A1(OH)₃, dispersion ratios of clays were almost identical with those of blank samples although the specific surface areas were reduced. In the systems with 5 g kg^-1 or more of A1(OH)₃, considerable effects of Al hydroxides on reduction of clay dispersibility were recognized (e.g. 10 g kg^-1 addition yielded less than one-third of the original ratio of the clay dispersion). A slightly larger decrease in dispersion was observed by the addition of 15 g kg^-1 or more. As the amount of added Al increased, the amount of negative charges of the soil decreased while that of positive charges increased. The charge characteristics of the system with the addition of 20 g kg^-1 of A1(OH)₃ were closer to those of the adjacent forest soil which was characterized by a very low dispersibility. It was inferred that added Al hydroxides polymerized to form Al polycation species that were not readily exchangeable, neutralizing negative charges of clays, and acting as interparticle bonding between the clays. On the other hand, forest soils were considered to have acquired a physical stability against the dispersion of fine particles as free Al oxides had been accumulated in the process of natural weathering. It was concluded that charge characteristics primarily determined the dispersion and flocculation behavior of soils and that Al hydroxides were important modifiers of charge characteristics of soils.     

Transformation of clay minerals in nanoparticles of several zonal soils in China

Purpose

Clay minerals significantly affect the physical, chemical, and biological processes of soils. They undergo spontaneous modification and transformation depending to the climatic conditions. Information concerning the compositions and transformation of clay minerals in nanoparticle colloids (NPs) (25–100 nm) is severely lacking. Studying clay mineral transformation is important approach to understand soil formation. This study was conducted to determine the transformation sequence of clay minerals in several zonal soil NPs.

Materials and methods

Four soils (Haplustalf, Alf-1; Hapludalf, Alf-2; Hapludults, Ult-1 and Ult-2) were collected from B horizons developed under three different climatic zones of China. Alf-1 (36° 05′ N and 117° 24′ E) was located under a warm temperate zone and Alf-2 (30° 38′ N and 115° 26′ E), Ult-1 (29° 13′ N and 113° 46′ E), and Ult-2 (19° 27′ N and 109° 17′ E) under a subtropical zone. The clay particles (<?2000 nm) (CPs) and nanoparticles (25–100 nm) (NPs) of tested soils were separated. The element composition of CPs and NPs was identified by microwave digestion method. The mineralogy and chemical bonding of clay minerals were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

Results and discussion

With decreasing latitude, NPs and CPs showed that the molar ratio of SiO₂ to Al₂O₃ trends to diminish, indicating the phenomenon of desilication and allitization in the tested soils. XRD analysis revealed that the main clay mineral of Alf-1 NPs was illite, followed by vermiculite, kaolinite, and kaolinite interstratified minerals (KIMs). The clay minerals of Alf-2, Ult-1, and Ult-2 NPs were dominated by kaolinite (and KIMs), followed by illite, with a little content of hydroxyl-interlayered vermiculite (HIV) in Ult-1 NPs and trace content of gibbsite in Ult-2 NPs. With decreasing latitude, vermiculite and HIV decreased in NPs. When compared to CPs, smectite as well as illite-vermiculite mix-layer mineral (I-V) and illite-HIV mix-layer mineral (I-HIV) were not detected in NPs. The analysis of d060 region by XRD showed that with decreasing latitude, the main clay minerals in NPs were dioctahedral minerals (e.g., illite or kaolinite). These clay minerals resulted from the transformation of trioctahedral minerals in CPs. The disappearance of 2:1 swelling minerals and trioctahedral minerals showed that the NPs were more susceptible to weathering than CPs.

Conclusions

With decreasing latitude, the transformation of clay minerals followed the sequence of illite?→?HIV?→?kaolinite?→?gibbsite in tested NPs.