Aluminum solubility of strongly acidified allophanic Andosols from Kagoshima Prefecture,southern Japan

Abstract

The aluminum solubility of acidified soils both from furrows and under tree canopies of a tea garden was studied using equilibrium experiments in 0.01 mol L^?1 CaCl₂ solution systems. The soils were originally classified as allophanic Andosols. The furrow soils were more severely acidified because of the heavy application of nitrogen fertilizer, especially in the upper soil horizons (pH[H₂O] of 3.6–3.8 in the A1 and 2A2 horizons). These acidified soils were characterized by the dissolution of allophanic materials (allophane, imogolite and allophane-like materials) and by an increase in Al–humus complexes. Ion activity product (IAP) values of the strongly acidified soil horizons were largely undersaturated with respect to imogolite (allophanic clay) or gibbsite. Plots of p(Al³⁺) as a function of pH strongly indicated that Al solubility of the soils was largely controlled by Al–humus complexes, especially in the A1 horizon. In the canopy soils, which were more weakly acidified (pH[H₂O] 4.9–5.0), Al solubility was close to that of gibbsite and allophanic materials, indicating that the solubility is partly controlled by these minerals.     

Characterization of Andosols in Yakushima Island

We examined soils derived from volcanic ash of Kikai-Akahoya tephra on Yakushima Island, Japan, and classified them according to the Unified Soil Classification System of Japan, 2nd Approximation (USCSJ 2nd) and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Five pedons with horizons showing high (>20%) volcanic glass content were investigated. Soils developed under evergreen broad-leaved forests had high acid oxalate-extractable aluminum (Alo) and acid oxalate-extractable silicon (Sio) concentrations, and low acid oxalate-extractable iron (Fe)/dithionite-citrate-extractable Fe ratio. This indicates a warmer climate and less severe leaching conditions compared with soils developed under coniferous forests dominated by Cryptomeria japonica and grasslands dominated by Pseudosasa owatarii. All soils contained considerable amount of hydroxyl-Al-interlayered 2:1 clay minerals. The surface horizons of the pedons developed under the cool-temperate C. japonica forests contained smectite as a result of podzolization. However, the surface horizon of the pedon developed under cool-temperate P. owatarii grasslands did not contain smectite. All pedons belonged to the Kuroboku soils great group (USCSJ 2nd) and Andosols (WRB). Pedons in mountainous areas did not contain horizons with more than 6?g?kg^?1 of Sio and hence were classified as non-allophanic Andosols. In mountainous areas, it was observed that allophane formation was inhibited by Al leaching due to intense rainfall (>10,000?mm year^?1); Al consumption due to the formation of the Al-humus complex; and Al incorporation into the interlayers of vermiculite. The low soil water pH [pH(H₂O)] and leaching of silicon (Si) in mountainous areas would support these anti-allophanic effects.     

A Study on the Quantity/Intensity Relationships of Potassium of Sugarcane Growing Soils,Eastern Thailand

Surface and subsurface horizons of 16 representative sugarcane growing soils with varying soil properties in the eastern region of Thailand were collected to determine the potassium (K) fertility status and its availability by using the quantity/intensity relationship (potential buffering capacity of K (PBC_k)). The results showed that most soils had a low K fertility status and lack of reserved K from K-bearing minerals. The PBC_k values of the studied soils ranged from 3.75 to 168 cmol kg^?1/(mol L^?1)^1/2, and the coarse-textured soil group showed much lower PBC_k values; these results suggested a low capability of these soils to replenish K removal by plant uptake compared with that of the fine-textured soil group. The negative delta K (ΔK°) values of the coarse-textured soil group also indicated a large quantity of readily available K for plant uptake that easily leaches at the same time. The higher K activity ratio (AR^k_e) of the coarse-textured soil group (>0.001 mol L^?1)^1/2) than that of the fine-textured soil group (<0.001 mol L^?1)^1/2) suggested that readily available K was desorbed from the non-specific sites of 1:1 clay minerals and specific sites of 2:1 clay minerals, respectively. The ΔK° value of the studied soils was more significantly correlated to K concentration in sugarcane stalks (R² = 0.64) than that of readily available K content (R² = 0.54). Therefore, the results of this study suggested that ΔK° represents a better parameter to estimate K availability in these soils compared to conventional ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)-extractable K content.     

Distribution and mobility of radiocesium in relation to the clay fraction mineralogy and soil properties in the Iput River floodplain

The role of the mineralogy of the clay fraction and the physicochemical properties of alluvial soils in the floodplain of the Iput River and its tributary the Buldynka River (in the region of the settlement of Starye Bobovichi in Bryansk oblast) in the distribution and immobilization of radioactive isotope ¹³⁷Cs from the atmospheric fallout after the Chernobyl accident was studied. The soils had a sandy texture; a significant variation in the content of amorphous iron oxides (0.1–0.77%) and labile manganese (11.2–193 mg/kg), the cation exchange capacity (6.1–54.2 meq/100 g soil), and the base saturation (29–100%) was common; an appreciable content of X-ray amorphous mineral substances in the clay fraction (<1 μm) enriched with organic carbon (7.7–13.1%); the predominance of trioctahedral hydromicas (Me=50%) in the clay fraction; and the presence of fine-disperse quartz and lepidocrocite. The specific activity of the ¹³⁷Cs in the clay fraction of the moderately and strongly contaminated layers increased with the increasing portion of smectite formations and (or) hydromicas. On the whole, the presence of the clay fraction favored a decrease in the ¹³⁷Cs mobility (the correlation between its content and that of exchangeable cesium was r=?0.608, n=17). However, the portion of exchangeable radiocesium (extracted with 1 M CH₃COONH₄, 1:10) had a tendency toward an increase with increasing content of hydromicas in the clay fraction. Thus, the minerals of this group were a potential source of exchangeable ¹³⁷Cs in the soils. The significant role of amorphous and mobile iron forms in the immobilization and migration of radiocesium in the secondary contaminated horizons of the alluvial soils was revealed.     

Varietal difference in radiocesium uptake and transfer from radiocesium deposited soils in the genus Amaranthus

Abstract

Within Amaranthaceae, 33 different varieties, including local varieties from Japan, were grown in 2012 in a field in the town of Iino in the Fukushima prefecture, which is located approximately 51 km north of Tokyo Electric Power Company, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). The contamination level of the soil was 2770 ± 140 Bq kg^?1 dry weight (¹³⁴Cesium (Cs) + ¹³⁷Cs, average ± SE), and the field was also cultivated in 2011. There was a significant varietal difference in the dry weight production, radiocesium accumulation and transfer factor (TF) of radiocesium from the soil to the plant. The ratio of the lowest TF to the highest TF was approximately 3. Because the ratio of ¹³⁷Cs to ¹³³Cs was significantly positive, radiocesium seems to be absorbed in a manner similar to that of ¹³³Cs. It is suggested that the varietal difference in the behavior of radiocesium uptake mainly depends on its genetic background rather than on environmental factors.     

Chemical characterization of conducive and suppressive soils for potato scab in Hokkaido,Japan

Potato common scab induced by Streptomyces scabies is a serious constraint for potato-producing farmers and the incidence of potato scab depends on the soil chemical properties. We examined the chemical characteristics of conducive and suppressive soils to potato common scab with reference to the chemical properties of nonallophanic Andosols, recently incorporated into the classification system of cultivated soils in Japan. Allophanic Andosols with a ratio of pyrophosphate-extractable aluminum (Al_p) to oxalate-extractable aluminum (Al_o) of less than 0.3–0.4 were “conducive” soils with a high allophane content of more than 3%. On the other hand, nonallophanic Andosols with a Al_p/Al_a ratio higher than this critical value were “suppressive” soils, and their allophane content was less than 2%. The concentration of water-soluble aluminum (AI) was also a useful index for separating conducive from suppressive soils as well as the Al_p/Al_a value and allophane content. The suppressive soils showed a much higher concentration of water-soluble Al at pH 4.5 to 5.5 than the conducive soils. The high concentration of water-soluble Al may be responsible for the control of the incidence of potato common scab in Andosols.     

Efficiency of gypsum application to acid Andosols estimated using aluminum release rates and plant root growth

Abstract

A great deal of information on the efficiency of gypsum or phosphogypsum to ameliorate acidity in highly weathered soils is available, but only limited information is available on the efficiency in acid Andosols, which possess large amounts of active aluminum (Al). We examined the effectiveness of gypsum application to non-allophanic Andosols (one humus-rich A horizon and two B horizons poor in humus) using extractable soil Al analyses (batch and continuous extraction methods) and a cultivation test using burdock (Arctium lappa). With gypsum amendment, pH(H₂O) values of the soil decreased from 4.5–4.7 to 4.2–4.4, whereas the treatment made almost no difference to the values of pH(KCl). Total active Al (acid oxalate-extractable Al) was hardly affected by gypsum for all samples. Potassium chloride-extractable Al definitely decreased with the addition of gypsum in all soils; however, the decrease was small (0.1–1.4 cmol_c kg^?1) and the values still exceeded “the threshold of 2 cmol_c kg^?1” for inducing Al toxicity in sensitive plants (4.4–8.6 cmol_c Al kg^?1). The change in Al solubility with gypsum application represented by Al release rates from soils using continuous extraction methods with a dilute acetate buffer solution (10^?3 mol L^?1, pH 3.5) differed greatly among the soil samples: The release rate of one of the B horizon samples decreased by 71%, certainly showing the insolubilization of Al compounds, whereas the release rates of the A horizon sample showed almost no change. These changes in Al solubility were well correlated with the plant root growth. Root growth was improved with gypsum in the B horizon sample, whereas improvement was not observed in the A horizon soil. The decrease in the rate of Al release of another B horizon soil with gypsum treatment was smaller (by 20–34%), possibly because of lower pH values after gypsum application (pH[H₂O] of 4.2–4.3). In the B horizon soil, root growth improved only slightly. Thus, the effectiveness of gypsum application to acid Andosols appeared to be largely influenced by soil humus contents and slight differences in soil pH values, and corresponded to a decrease in Al release rates using the continuous extraction method.     

Effect of phosphogypsum application on the chemical properties of Andosols,and the growth and Ca uptake of melon seedlings

Abstract

Allophanic Andosols are widely used as a major material in commercial nursery media for fruit vegetables in Japan because of their remarkable physical properties, such as a high water-holding capacity. In the present study, our objectives were: (1) to examine the effect of phosphogypsum (PG) on the chemical properties of Andosols, (2) to investigate the effect of PG on the growth and Ca uptake of melon seedlings. The effect of PG on chemical properties of Andosols was studied using five Andosols with different inorganic and organic colloidal components. The change in soil pH (H₂O) was dependent on the soil samples; an increase was observed in the case of Kawatabi 3Bw soil; a sharp decrease in Kawatabi A2 soil; and almost no change or a slight decrease in Kameoka A1, A2 and Bw soils. The water-soluble Ca content was examined as an index of Ca availability in Andosols treated with PG. The increment in water-soluble Ca by PG application was depressed by allophane. The effect of PG application to the nursery media prepared from Andosols on growth and Ca uptake of melon (Cucumis melo L.) was examined in 2002. Three different varieties, Amusu, Earl's and Midorishima, were used in this experiment. The pH value of nursery media was stable at 6.4 ± 0.1 regardless of PG application rate. In contrast, electrical conductivity was clearly increased by PG application, and was reached at 1.2 dS m^?1 in 4.0 g L^?1 application. The application of PG increased water soluble Ca of nursery media from 1.7 to 5.2 cmol_c L^?1. Both top and root growth of melon seedlings were enhanced regardless of varieties, dry matter weights were maximized at 4 g L^?1 PG application. The Ca uptake of melon seedlings was promoted by PG application in all the varieties. It was suggested that the relative root growth rate of melon seedlings was closely related to the Ca uptake of melon seedlings.     

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum by gypsum application in acid andosols

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in acid Andosols treated with gypsum was studied by using cation exchange resin methods to determine the amount of polymerized aluminum. Two types of acid Andosols were used as test soils: Kitakami light colored Andosol (fine, mixed, mesic, Andic Dystrochrept) and Kawatabi thick high humic Andosol (medial, mesic mixed Alic Pachic Melanudand). Polymerization of aluminum in the soil solution of both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols treated with gypsum was suggested based on an analysis using cation exchange resin methods, whereas that in monomer aluminum solution was not detected. Accumulation of polymerized aluminum in both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols was determined by using cation exchange resin, and the amounts of polymer aluminum trapped by the resin and the ratio of polymer aluminum to monomer aluminum were increased with the incubation time. The values of CEC which decreased in the Kitakami Andosol after gypsum treatment were almost equivalent to the amounts of cation exchange sites occupied by polymer aluminum ions which were calculated based on the decrease of the values of Y _l. We conclude that the mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in strongly acid Andosols treated with gypsum is as follows: firstly, exchangeable aluminum adsorbed on the cation exchange sites of soils may be released into the soil solution due to the increase in the ion strength caused by gypsum application, and then monomer aluminum in soil solution may be polymerized in the presence of soil colloidal materials. Consequently, the polymer aluminum formed in the soil solution may be selectively and irreversibly fixed on the cation exchange sites of 2 : 1 clay minerals.     

Surface charge characteristics of volcanic‐ash‐soils from Spain. Effect of organic matter and mineralogical composition

Abstract

Surface charge characteristics of several Spanish Andosols were investigated. The relationship between these characteristics and the mineralogical composition and organic matter content of the soils were also taken into account.

The electro‐chemical behaviour of the soils was similar to that of many metallic oxides, in which the surface charge is determined exclusively by the activity of potential determining H and OH^‐ ions in the bulk solution.

The ZPC of the soils varies between 3.7 and 5.1 and always remains below the zero point of titration (between 0.6 and 10 meq/100g). These low ZPC values seem to be related to the high content of organic matter in the soils, but no clear correlation between both values has been found.

The mineralogical composition and the percentage of amorphous oxides in the soils, on the other hand, had an effect on the charge characteristics’. A correlation coefficient (r=0.801) was found between the Al₂O₃% and ZPC value of the soils.     

Chloritization in lowland paddy soils

This paper is concerned with the alteration of clay minerals which takes place when well-aerated lowland soils (Brown lowland soils) are cultivated for growing rice. For this purpose the clay mineral compositions of paddy soils were compared with those of adjacent arable soils at four locations.

In the case of arable soils a larger part of the 14Å spacings collapsed to 10Å on treatment with NH₄NO₃ solution, or on drying at about 100°C, whereas in paddy soils the spacings were more stable to thelie treatments. Cation exchange capacities of clays were always smaller In paddy soils than in arable soils. Alternate treatments of reduction and oxidation somewhat increased the stability of the 14Å spacings to heat treatment.

These results indicate that chloritization is a very common process occurring in lowland paddy sons. Chloritization In paddy soils appears to be closely associated with the seasonal cycle of reduction and oxidation.     

Organic carbon stocks and soil erodibility in Canary Islands Andosols

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a key role in the structural stability of soils and in their resistance against erosion. However, and as far as andic soils are concerned, these mechanisms and processes, as well as the influence of the different types of SOC on aggregate stability, are not fully understood. The targets of this paper are: (i) to determine the content and forms of SOC in Andosols under evergreen forest vegetation [laurel (Laurus) and heather (Erica) forest] and (ii) to find out the role of soil organic matter (SOM) in the aggregate stability and in the resistance of Andosols to water erosion. Soil samples have been collected in 80 sites in a 40 km² area under udic soil moisture regime. In them, fulvic and humic acids, Walkley–Black SOC, pyrophosphate-extractable SOC, Fe and Al, potassium sulphate extractable SOC, dissolved SOC, acid oxalate-extractable Fe, Al and Si, USLE K-factor and aggregate stability have been determined. The Andosols over volcanic ash are Aluandic Andosols (non-allophanic Andosols), whereas over basaltic lava flows are Silandic Andosols (allophanic Andosols). The surface (0–30 cm) samples analyzed contain 9.5–30 kg C m^− 2 being significantly higher in allophanic Andosols (p < 0.5). Organic carbon adsorbed onto the mineral fraction (extractable pyrophosphate, C_p) accounts for 35–55% of the total SOC. All samples show a high stability to slaking and raindrop impact, being the first one highly correlated (r = 0.6) with pyrophosphate extractable C (C_p), Fe (Fe_p), and Al (Al_p) in allophanic Andosols, unlike non-allophanic ones. The stability to raindrop impact correlates with pyrophosphate extractable C (C_p) and Fe (Fe_p) in both types of soils (r = 0.3–0.6, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the high stability to both slaking and water-drop impact is due to the occurrence of allophane–Fe–OC complexes, rather than to the total OC, and the active Fe and Al forms, generated by the weathering of volcanic materials, constitute an essential constituent responsible for C sequestration and resistance to degradation in these soils.     

Oxygen isotope ratios of plant available phosphate in lowland tropical forest soils

Phosphorus (P) cycles rapidly in lowland tropical forest soils, but the process have been proven difficult to quantify. Recently it was demonstrated that valuable data on soil P transformations can be derived from the natural abundance of stable oxygen isotopes in phosphate (δ¹⁸O_P). Here, we measured the δ¹⁸O_P of soils that had received long-term nutrient additions (P, nitrogen, and potassium) or litter manipulations in lowland tropical forest in Panama and performed controlled incubations of fresh soils amended with a single pulse of P. To detect whether δ¹⁸O_P values measured in the incubations apply also for soils in the field, we examined the δ¹⁸O_P values after rewetting dry soils. In the incubations, resin-P δ¹⁸O_P values converged to ∼3.5‰ above the expected isotopic equilibrium with soil water. This contrasts with extra-tropical soils in which the δ¹⁸O_P of resin-P matches the expected equilibrium with soil water. Identical above-equilibrium resin-P δ¹⁸O_P values were also found in field soils that did not receive P additions or extra litter. We suggest that the 3.5‰ above-equilibrium δ¹⁸O_P values reflect a steady state between microbial uptake of phosphate (which enriches the remaining phosphate with the heavier isotopologues) and the release of isotopically equilibrated cell internal phosphate back to the soil. We also found that soil nutrient status affected the microbial turnover rate because in soils that had received chronic P addition, the original δ¹⁸O_P signature of the fertilizer was preserved for at least eight weeks, indicating that the off-equilibrium δ¹⁸O_P values produced during microbial phosphate turnover was not imprinted in these soils. Overall, our results demonstrate that ongoing microbial turnover of phosphate mediates its biological availability in lowland tropical soils.     

Suitability of a hydraulic‐conductivity model for predicting salt effects on swelling soils

Many empirical approaches have been developed to analyze changes in hydraulic conductivity due to concentration and composition of equilibrium solution. However, in swelling soils these approaches fail to perform satisfactorily, mainly due to the complex nature of clay minerals and soil–water interactions. The present study describes the changes in hydraulic conductivity of clay (Typic Haplustert) and clay‐loam (Vertic Haplustept) soils with change in electrolyte concentration (TEC) and sodium‐adsorption ratio (SAR) of equilibrium solution and assesses the suitability of a model developed by Russo and Bresler (1977) to describe the effects of mixed Na‐Ca‐Mg solutions on hydraulic conductivity. Four solutions encompassing two TEC levels viz., 5 and 50 mmol_c L^–1 and two SAR levels viz., 2.5 and 30 mmol^1/2 L^–1/2 were synthesized to equilibrate the soil samples using pure chloride salts of Ca, Mg, and Na at Ca : Mg = 2:1. Diluting 50 mmol_c L^–1 solution to 5 mmol_c L^–1 reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity of both soils by 66%, and increasing SAR from 2.5 to 30 mmol^1/2 L^–1/2 decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity by 82% and 79% in clay and clay‐loam soils, respectively. Near saturation, the magnitude of the change in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity due to the change in TEC and SAR was of 10³‐ and 10²‐fold, and at volumetric water content of 0.20 cm³ cm^–3, it was of 10¹⁴‐ and 10⁶‐fold in clay and clay‐loam soils, respectively. Differences between experimental and predicted values of saturated hydraulic conductivity ranged between 0.6% and 11% in clay and between 0.06% and 2.1% in clay‐loam soils. Difference between experimental and predicted values of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity widened with drying in both soils. Predicted values were in good agreement with the experimental values of hydraulic conductivity in clay and clay‐loam soils with R² values of 0.98 and 0.94, respectively. The model can be satisfactorily used to describe salt effects on hydraulic conductivity of swelling soils in arid and semiarid areas, where groundwater quality is poor.     

Effect of 137Cs accumulation by organomineral coarse particles in sandy soils contaminated during the Chernobyl NPP accident

Dark-colored particles in the coarse fractions of sandy soils were found to concentrate ¹³⁷Cs. Up to 94% of the fractional ¹³⁷Cs was associated with these particles in the sand and coarse silt fractions, although their relative mass did not exceed 1–5%. The concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in the dark-colored particles were up to 400 times higher than those in the light-colored particles. The high values of the radiocesium interception potential (RIP(K) = 1600–4600 mM/kg) indicate the presence of clay minerals in the dark particles.     

DIFFUSE DOUBLE LAYER THEORY APPLIED TO Na-Ca EXCHANGE EQUILIBRIA IN TEMPERATE AND SEMI-ARID TROPICAL SOILS

A cation exchange equation based on diffuse double layer (DDL) theory was tested on 26 surface and sub-surface soils from 6 field experiments in temperate and semi-arid tropical regions. Sodification (the fraction of total charge on the surface neutralised by the excess of Na⁺ plus the deficit of Cl^?), or the exchangeable Na percentage, ESP, of these soils in relation to SAR, the molar ratio (Na]/[Ca + Mg] ^1/2, was evaluated from the observed data on Na:Ca exchange in two ways, using the DDL equation: (1) by multiplying the surface charge density of the soil with a mean correction factor f (based on the whole isotherm) assuming no interaction between adjacent clay platelets; this predicted the sodification of the soils satisfactorily between 0–30 ESP, though at the highest SAR values (i.e. > 60), predicted ESP values were significantly smaller than the experimental values for 23 of the 26 soils; (2) by assigning values to the extent of interaction Y_d (directly related to the electric potential Ψ_d midway between adjacent clay platelets) over the whole isotherm; Y_d was found to increase by varying degrees in different soils with SAR and ESP. Also in 12 of the 15 pairs of soils compared, the mean value, _d, over the whole Ca-Na exchange isotherm was appreciably larger for surface soils (which had higher surface charge densities) than for the subsoils from the same sites. The suggestion that the Y_d parameter provides a better criterion than the f parameter for characterising and comparing Na:Ca exchange equilibria in contrasting soils is discussed in relation to the effects of soil components.     

Transformation of added phosphorus to acid upland soils with different soil properties in Indonesia

Abstract

The transformation of added phosphorus (P) to soil and the effect of soil properties on P transformations were investigated for 15 acid upland soils with different physicochemical properties from Indonesia. Based on oxide-related factor scores (aluminum (Al) plus 1/2 iron (Fe) (by ammonium oxalate), crystalline Al and Fe oxides, cation exchange capacity, and clay content) obtained from previous principal component analyses, soils were divided into two groups, namely Group 1 for soils with positive factor scores and Group 2 for those with negative factor scores. The amounts of soil P in different fractions were determined by: (i) resin strip in bicarbonate form in 30 mL distilled water followed by extraction with 0.5 mol L^?1 HCl (resin-P inorganic (P_i) that is readily available to plant), (ii) 0.5 mol L^?1 NaHCO₃ extracting P_{i and} P organic (P_o) (P which is strongly related to P uptake by plants and microbes and bound to mineral surface or precipitated Ca-P and Mg forms), (iii) 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH extracting P_i and P_o (P which is more strongly held by chemisorption to Fe and Al components of soil surface) and (iv) 1 mol L^?1 HCl extracting P_i (Ca-P of low solubility). The transformation of added P (300 mg P kg^?1) into other fractions was studied by the recovery of P fractions after 1, 7, 30, and 90 d incubation. After 90 d incubation, most of the added P was transformed into NaOH-P_i fraction for soils of Group 1, while for soils of Group 2, it was transformed into resin-P_i, NaHCO₃-P_i and NaOH-P_i fractions in comparable amounts. The equilibrium of added P transformation was reached in 30 d incubation for soils of Group 1, while for soils of Group 2 it needed a longer time. Oxide-related factor scores were positively correlated with the rate constant (k) of P transformation and the recovery of NaOH-P_i. Additionally, not only the amount of but also the type (kaolinitic) of clay were positively correlated with the k value and P accumulation into NaOH-P_i. Soils developed from andesite and volcanic ash exhibited significantly higher NaOH-P_i than soils developed from granite, volcanic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Soil properties summarized as oxides-related factor, parent material, and clay mineralogy were concluded very important in assessing P transformation and P accumulation in acid upland soils in Indonesia.     

Horizontal distribution of main hydroxyanthraquinones in soil

Six hydroxyanthraquinones (chrysophanol, chrysotalunin, microcarpin, physcion, 7,7′-biphyscion, and hinakurin) present in the samples of 26 surface soils were quantitatively analyzed, and the contents of HAQs in soil types were compared. The soil samples had been collected from 19 Umbric Andosols and seven Distric Cambisols, and the Andosols were further subdivided into those with allophanic soil materials (exchange acidity (y ₁<5 mL 100 g^-l) and nonallophanic soil materials (y _l≧5 mL 100 g^-l). The following results were obtained. (1) It was determined quantitatively for the first time that chrysotalunin was the major hydroxyanthraquinone in many soils. (2) The amounts of major dime ric hydroxyanthraquinones (chrysotalunin, 7,7′-biphyscion, and microcarpin) in non-allophanic soil materials were significantly larger than those in allophanic soil materials. As the contents of chrysotalunin in Andosols were positively correlated with y _l, which was reported to be positively correlated with aluminum toxicity and exchangeable aluminum in soil, it is suggested that toxic aluminum may be involved in the production of soil hydroxyanthraquinones.     

Comparison of carbon skeletal structures in black humic acids from different soil origins

Andosols are characterized by an abundance of black humic acids (HAs) belonging to Type A with a high content of aromatic carbon (C) in particular condensed aromatic C. Black HAs are also observed in other soils, such as Chernozems and the subsoil of paddy field, and extracted after washing with an acid or using chelating agent such as sodium pyrophosphate (Na₄P₂O₇). However, contribution of condensed aromatic structures to those soil HAs are unknown. To obtain the information about C skeletal structures of black HAs in soils other than Andosols, HAs were obtained from 2 Chinese Chernozem samples, 2 subsoil samples from Japanese paddy fields (Fulvisols), and a Rendzina-like soil (Cambisols) as well as an Andosol sample (reference) by successive extraction with 0.1 M NaOH (HAs₁) and 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇ (HAs₂), and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction 11-band profile analyses were applied. In the black HAs₂ from the non-Andosol samples, the proportion of C present as aromatic C, size of C layer planes, and relative C layer plane content ranged from 52 to 59%, 0.48 to 1.92 nm (mean size, 0.76–0.91 nm), and 58 to 100 AU (arbitrary unit) mg^?1, respectively, with a positive correlation between total C layer plane content and the degree of humification. Those ranges were similar to the distribution ranges of Andosols HAs₁ reported by our previous study.     

Verhalten von Dünger-NH4 in Böden unterschiedlicher tonmineralischer Zusammensetzung im Inkubationsversuch

Fate of fertilizer ammonium in soils with different composition of clay minerals in an incubation experiment In an incubation experiment with three different soils (gray brown podsolic soil from loess, alluvial gley, and brown earth, derived from basalt) the specific adsorption (fixation) and release of fertilizer NH₄⁺ was investigated. In one treatment 120 mg NH₄–N/kg soil was added, while the other treatment (control) received no nitrogen. Soils samples were taken every ten days and analyzed for nonexchangeable and exchangeable NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?. The experimental results are showing that the specific adsorption of applied NH₄⁺ was related to the type of clay minerals. While the loess soil, rich in illite, and the alluvial soil, rich in expansible clay minerals, bound about 40% of the added NH₄⁺ specifically, the soil derived from basalt with mainly kaolinite bound only about 10 %. From the recently “fixed” fertilizer NH₄⁺ about a half was nitrified during the incubation period of about 9 weeks. In the control there was no significant release of specifically bound NH₄⁺. Obviously this NH₄⁺ is located more deeply in the interlayers of the clay minerals and not available to microorganisms.