中国土壤胶体研究 Ⅵ.西藏高原几种主要土壤的粘土矿物组成和演变

西藏高原突起于我国西南,绝大部分地面的海拔高度在4000米以上,为世界上最高的大高原。它大致在第三纪开始形成,后来曾受第四纪冰川的深刻作用,高山顶部至今仍是冰川的活动场所^[1,2]。高原为昆仑山、唐古拉山、喜马拉雅山和横断山等大山脉所盘踞。     

Clay minerals in a soil chronosequence derived from basalt on Hainan Island, China and its implication for pedogenesis

A soil chronosequence consisting of six profiles formed on quartz tholeiite basalt ranging in age from 10,000 years to 1. 8 Million years (My) was studied here. Soil clays were identified using XRD diffractogram decomposition methods for samples obtained from the A and C horizons of profiles. The results showed that kaolinite minerals dominated in all the clay fractions. Gibbsite was prominent in the C horizons in the soils from older rocks. Clays in the A horizon of relatively young soils showed an initial stage of illite formation, followed by smectite mixed layer minerals (illite-smectites and then vermiculite-illite) and finally by vermiculite. The initial presence of illite is interesting as there is no magmatic micaceous or phyllosilicate phase in these basalts and the formation of illite we attribute to a secondary process, probably created by alkali transport by plant materials. The change in 2:1 clay mineralogy reflects the overall change in Si/Al ratios in the soils over longer periods of weathering. In all cases gibbsite is more abundant in the C horizons than the A horizons. The difference in gibbsite content between the A and C horizons we attribute to plant transport of siliceous phytolite material to the surface. Continued high rainfall over long periods of time removed the alkali faster than the plants could bring it to the surface, which led to continuous lowering of 2:1 minerals from younger to older in the soil chronosequence. Nevertheless a 2:1, silica-rich mineral persists in the clay assemblages although in very minor amounts.     

九宫山土壤剖面中黏土矿物的组成特征

以湖北省九宫山的4种垂直地带性土壤为对象,研究其剖面层次的黏土矿物组合和铁、铝氧化物的特征,揭示山地土壤中黏土矿物的变化特点。结果表明,随海拔升高,土壤中黏土矿物类型从以高岭石为主,逐渐变为以14.0?矿物、伊利石及三水铝石为主,有从1︰1型向2︰1型矿物过渡的趋势;不同层次的土壤中黏土矿物类型和相对含量变化明显;土壤随垂直高程的升高,其中游离态铁、铝减小,非晶形和络合态铁、铝增加,各种形态铁、铝氧化物的总量也增加。     

Short‐time clay‐mineral evolution in a soil chronosequence in Oléron Island (France)

Major weathering sequences in soils are well established; however, knowledge on rates of mineral transformations remains unknown, because it is often difficult to date precisely soil processes. This work was carried out on soils developed on recent (< 188 y) sand dunes on the W coast of Oléron Island (France). The coast has been protected against marine and wind erosion by constructing five consecutives barriers close to the coastline since 1820 (1820, 1864, 1876, 1889, 1948) defining the maximum age of the soil parent material, as before the areas between the barriers were under water. Soils on the older dunes have low clay content (> 94% of sand) and exhibit a bleached E horizon that overlies a yellowish brown B horizon. The process responsible for their formation is podzolization promoted by the high permeability of the material and complexing organic matter produced by coniferous vegetation. Initial mineralogy of C horizons is homogenous and constituted of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and kaolinite, quartz, calcite (≈ 8% related to shell fragments), and feldspars. The initial clay‐mineral assemblage of the E horizons is dominated by illite (well‐crystallized WCI and poorly crystallized PCI) and chlorite. With progressive podzolization, poorly crystallized illite is first transformed to illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals and in a further step into smectite. In addition, transformation of well‐crystallized illite leads to formation of ordered illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals in the E horizons, which is not commonly described in soils. In the B horizons, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals are present with traces of smectite, as well as Al and Fe oxi‐hydroxides as revealed by DCB and oxalate chemical extractions. This chronosequence illustrates that over short distances and short time (< 188 y) intense mineral weathering and soil development occur. Major clay‐mineral changes occur between 132 and 188 y in agreement with development of the pine forest producing acidic litter.     

Andosol to Luvisol evolution in Central Mexico: timing, mechanisms and environmental setting

Surface and buried Andosols and buried Luvisols of the Nevado de Toluca Late Quaternary tephra-paleosol sequence (Central Mexico) were studied to show whether these soils present an evolutionary sequence and to determine the pedogenic mechanisms and environmental factors involved in the evolutionary process. Micromorphological observations and mineralogical composition of fine sand and clay fractions were used to detect type and succession of soil-forming process. Some of the buried Andosols, defined as “intergrade” Andosols, have a predominantly blocky structure, humus-depleted areas, redoximorphic features and thin clay coatings in Ah horizons. Clay fractions of buried Andosols contain halloysite besides amorphous components, whereas in modern Andosols, allophane is dominant. Luvisols have micro-areas with granular structure and abundant phytoliths in the groundmass of Bt horizons assumed to be the relict Andosol features. Luvisol clay fractions are dominated by halloysite and kaolinite. Primary minerals show micromorphological weathering features in all studied soils being stronger in Luvisols; however, even in Luvisols, sand fractions consist mostly of unstable volcanic silicates. We hypothesise that the studied profiles form an evolutionary sequence: Andosols–“intergrade” Andosols–Luvisols; the soil transformation is supposed to be linked to progressive crystallisation of 1:1 clay minerals. Comparing the Nevado de Toluca paleosol properties with the existing data on volcanic soil climo- and chronesequences and assessing the regional paleopedological and lacustrine records of Quaternary paleoclimates, we concluded that wet/dry climatic oscillations took place during the formation of the studied paleosols. Rapid crystallisation of 1:1 minerals occurred during dry phases, which speeded up the Andosol to Luvisol transformation and made it independent from the primary mineral weathering status. The Andosol to Luvisol transformation accelerated by climatic fluctuations is thought to be a common soil evolutionary pathway in the subtropical and tropical regions of recent volcanism, which suffered contrasting precipitation oscillations in the Quaternary.     

Disintegration of the clay fraction in the eluvial horizons of some Danish podzolized soils

Abstract

Using sequential extractions, total elemental analysis, and X‐ray diffraction, we have investigated the impact of the podzolization process on component composition of the clay fraction in the eluvial horizons of eight more or less podzolized Danish soils. The results indicate that podzolization is highly aggressive towards all clay components in the eluvial horizons eventually leading to their disintegration. The 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals, illite and chlorite, are first transformed into other 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals. After passing through a microcrystalline phase high in Si but low in Al, Fe, Mg, and K, they finally disintegrate completely. Even gibbsite and kaolinite disintegrate under the aggressive conditions, caused among other things by the presence of dissolved complex forming organic molecules in these horizons. Application of lime and fertilizers seems to be able to reverse the process in case of the 2:1 layer silicate clay minerals.     

Clay minerals of soils from olivine basalt in Kyushu

Soil scientists have been encouraged to investigate soils for clay minerals by very fact that soil characteristics fundamentally depend upon the nature of their clay. It is generally recognized that clays of different species develop under different conditions such as drainage, temperature weathering age, and parent rocks. On Kyushu Island, heavy, reddish soils derived from olivine basalt cover a considerably large area of its northeastern part, and a numbar of small islands belonging to Kyushu. Koga ^* Hiroshi Koga, Clay minerals of Oura basaltic soil, 1954 (unpublished). of this laboratory found a basaltic soil of clay consisting of hydrated halloysite, halloysite, hematite, and gibbsite at the eastern foot of Mt. Tara, by examining its clay separates by X-ray, thermal, chemical, and electron microscopical techniques. Kanno et al⁵ reported that in a basaltic soil at Oura, Saga prefecture, hydrated halloysite developed from plagioclase and ferro-magnesian minerals with gibbsite and hematite which was more abundant than in other Red and Yellow Soils. They also found some illite present in the soil derived from unknown minerals, and halloysite dehydrated in upper layers.     

The Role of Soil Mineralogical Characteristics in Sustainable Soil Fertility Management: A Case Study of Some Tropical Alfisols in Nigeria

The pedogenic horizons of nine profile pits dug across three toposequences were studied to determine the soil mineralogical characteristics and its implications on sustainable management of the fertility of some tropical Alfisols in Nigeria. Results showed that the epipedon which were predominantly ochric had textures that ranged from sand to sandy loam, while the subsurface (B/Bt) horizons had sandy clay loam to sandy clay texture and were gravelly (31.79–83.04%). The soil reaction ranged from strongly acid to neutral (pH 5.10 to 7.05). Calcium and magnesium dominated the exchange sites and accounted for about 75% of the exchangeable bases. Illite/mica and kaolinite were the dominant minerals in the clay fractions, while quartz, mica, and feldspars dominated the fine sand and silt fractions of the soils. While the presence of illite and mica could be important for potassium nutrition in these soils, kaolinite and oxides of iron could also cause phosphorus fixation.     

北京香山地区褐土粘土矿物的研究

我国褐土作为一个独立的发生学土类是1958年以后被确定了的(Герасимов1958)。在这前后,李连捷、华孟、文振旺、许冀泉等都曾从不同角度、对褐土分布地区的土壤进行调查研究,得出一些有意义的结论^1-2)(文振旺等,1959;中国科学院土壤及水土保持研究所等,1961;许冀泉,1961)。而对褐土中粘土矿物的研究,许冀泉的工作,是极其有益的。本文报告的是作者1961-1964年对北京香山地区褐土粘土矿物进行研究的结果。     

Mineralogy of parent rock and peaty-podzolic soil of Iremel Ridge,Southern Urals

The mineralogy of soils and parent rocks of the Iremel Ridge has been studied by the methods of micromorphology, laser diffraction, computed X-ray microtomography, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. In hard rock and soil, the major minerals have been identified: quartz, illite, and a chlorite-group mineral (Fe analogue of sudoite), as well as accessory minerals: monazite, xenotime, rutile, zircon, and florencite. It has been found that chlorite, illite, and quartz are present in all horizons of the studied peaty-podzolic soil. Insignificant amounts of mixed-layered mineral and kaolinite could be suggested in the T and EL horizons of peaty-podzolic soil. The mixed-layered mineral is most probably of soil origin, which is related to the transformation of illites inherited from the parent rock under acidic conditions.     

CLAY MINERALS IN SOILS DERIVED FROM LOWER OLD RED SANDSTONE TILL: EFFECTS OF INHERITANCE AND PEDOGENESIS

The clay mineralogy of thirty-two profiles located mainly in the Vale of Strathmore and developed on glacial till derived from Lower Red Sandstone sediments and lavas has been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The soils were selected so that the parent material was related predominantly to one of the rock types common in the Lower Old Red Sandstone succession—namely, marl, sandstone, lava, or conglomerate. Comparison of the < 1.4μm fractions separated from fresh rock samples with those separated from the C horizons of the soils clearly established the dominant influence of parent rock on the soil-clay mineralogy. The clay minerals inherited by the soil often include unusual trioctahedral expansible minerals such as saponite, interstratified vermiculite-chlorite, and smectite-vermiculite, as well as more common types like mica, montmorillonite, and chlorite. Kaolinite is also found but it is not certain that it is only of inherited origin. Weathering of the clays during soil formation brings about complete degradation of the expansible trioctahedral minerals, a process usually well advanced in the B or even at the top of the C horizon, and vermiculitization of mica. The latter process occurs mainly in the A horizon, with concomitant precipitation of interlayer aquohydroxy-aluminium ions thereby forming a vermiculite-chlorite intergrade. Chlorite and kaolinite appear to be little affected by weathering. The weathering transformations are most pronounced in freely drained acid soils (pH < s) and are at a minimum in poorly drained soils and where the pH remains above 6. The susceptibility to weathering of the trioctahedral expansible minerals results in relatively high values for exchangeable magnesium at the base of the profile.     

Gibbsite and halloysite decomposition in strongly acid podzolic soils developed from granitic saprolite of the Bayerischer Wald

The present study reports the occurrence of gibbsite and halloysite in soils derived from granitic saprolites and from glacial deposits formed from granitic saprolites of the Bayerischer Wald (Germany). Both minerals are common in soils of this area. They were formed in the initial stages of weathering, most probably before the Pleistocene and in a warmer climate. Under present conditions halloysite and gibbsite are unstable in the surface soils, as indicated by a decrease in gibbsite concentration towards the surface and by an undersaturation of the equilibrium soil solution with respect to both minerals. It is assumed that the strongly acid conditions and the high concentration of organic compounds in the surface horizons lead to dissolution of gibbsite and possibly to transformation of halloysite to kaolinite.     

Tubular and spheroidal halloysite in pyroclastic deposits in the area of the Roccamonfina volcano (Southern Italy)

Halloysite-bearing weathered pyroclastic deposits of the Roccamonfina volcanic area (Southern Italy), consisting generally of light grey clay masses richer in slightly weathered pumice grains, mottled patches of whitish clayey material and yellowish-brown veins along vertical root channels, were characterised by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), optical (OM), scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) microscopy, electron diffraction (ED) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXRA). Both tubular and spheroidal forms of halloysite were observed, different parts of the deposits being characterised by a particular morphology. No consistent differences in terms of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the deposit materials were found. However, the chemical composition of the different particle-size clay fractions indicated that less silica, with concomitant relative enrichment in aluminium, and loss of bases characterised the <0.5 μm compared with the 0.5–2.0 μm fraction reflecting their differences in the content of primary minerals. The amounts of Fe, Al and Si extracted by dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate (DCB) and oxalate reagents suggested the presence of short-range-order aluminosilicates but this could not be proved by other physical techniques. X-ray analysis revealed the presence of hydrated (1 nm) and dehydrated (0.7 nm) halloysite, mica, sanidine and plagioclase minerals. TEM/EDXRA analysis of the <0.5 μm clay fraction revealed an amorphous Si-rich phase in the sample containing spheroidal halloysite. The differential X-ray diffraction analysis (DXRD) from untreated and DCB treated yellowish-brown material along with the electron diffraction (ED) of the <0.5 μm clay fraction showed the presence of goethite and ferrihydrite. The various weathered pyroclastic materials showed a major difference in terms of their physical characteristics, particularly in terms of their compactness and porosity/permeability as revealed by microscopic and sub microscopic observations. It is suggested that the different morphological forms of halloysite may result from conditions of growth in the different microenvironments related to variability in physical conditions.     

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.

     

Clay mineralogy of the B horizons of two hydrandepts,a Torrox and a Humitropept in Hawaii

The mineralogy of the clay fractions separated from the B horizons of two Hydrandepts (Hilo and Akaka soils), a Torrox (Molokai soil) and a Humitropept (Kolekole soil) was determined by a combination of methods.The Hydrandept B horizons were characterized by predominance of hydrous non-crystalline alumina and iron oxides associated with considerable amounts of humus and with very small amounts of silica. Allophane, allophane-like constituents and imogolite were present but in minor amounts. Gibbsite, goethite, chlorite and illite were also present as accessory minerals.The Torrox and Humitropept B horizons were characterized by predominance of kaolinite, hematite and goethite. The iron oxide minerals were present as fine particles (40–80 A diameter) often clustered to form larger aggregates. Neither imogolite nor allophane and allophane-like constituents were detected. Considerable amounts of dithionite-citrate soluble Al and humus were, however, present in the Humitropept B horizon, which may reflect the effect of an admixture of volcanic ash to the parent material.     

广西水耕人为土黏粒矿物组成及其空间分布特征

黏粒矿物影响着土壤理化性质，可指示成土因素特征和土壤发生发育过程/强度，也是中国土壤系统分类的基层单元土族矿物学类型划分的重要依据。本研究选择了广西不同纬度和成土母质的18个代表性水耕人为土的剖面，应用X射线衍射（XRD）方法分析了其典型水耕氧化还原层（Br层）的黏粒矿物组成及其空间分布特征，并确定了其中“黏质”剖面的土族控制层段矿物学类型。结果表明：（1）供试土壤的黏粒矿物主要包括高岭石、伊利石、三水铝石、1.42 nm过渡矿物、蒙脱石和蛭石等，依次分别出现在100%、88.9%、72.2%、61.1%、44.4%和38.9%的剖面中。（2）黏粒矿物组成在纬度空间分布上具有明显规律性特征。随着纬度降低，土壤黏粒中的高岭石增加，伊利石、蒙脱石、1.42nm过渡矿物逐渐减少；纬度＞23°N区域内，成土母质对黏粒矿物组成影响明显。（3）纬度23°N是黏粒矿物组成和土族矿物学类型分界线，＜23°N区域，黏粒矿物均以高岭石为主，是“黏质”剖面的土族控制层段的主要矿物学类型；＞23°N区域，黏粒矿物组成以高岭石、蒙脱石、伊利石或1.42 nm过渡矿物为主，因成土母质不同而异，“黏质”剖面的土族控制层段矿物学类型包括高岭石混合型、混合型和伊利石型。     

Characteristics of Clay Minerals in Podzols and Podzolic Soils

The clay minerals in Podzols and podzolic soils developed under coniferous forests in the Subarctic and Cool-temperate zones are characterized by the predominance of smectite and/or mica-smectite interstratified minerals in the eluvial horizons and chlorite-vermiculite intergrade in the illuvial horizons. A large amount of vermiculite is present in the eluvial horizons of some podzolic soils in the Cool-temperate zone. The illuvial horizons of these soils also contain free iron oxides such as goethite. Imogolite and allophane are present in the illuvial horizons of several soils derived from volcanic ashes. It is suggested that the critical bioclimate for the release of interlayered aluminum from the 2:1-type minerals lies between the Cool- and Warm-temperate zone. In the eluvial horizons of Podzols and podzolic soils, mica minerals and chlorite, as primary minerals, have been transformed to smectite through the pedogenic process. Based on previous studies on the structure and degradation of the dioctahedral mica minerals, it is considered that smectite is transformed from 1M-type mica minerals directly, and from 2M-type mica minerals via mica-smectite interstratifled minerals. The formation of a smectite lattice in the eluvial horizon should be a clay-mineralogical indicator of podzolization.     

Specific Features of Profile Distribution and Crystallochemistry of Phyllosilicates in Soils of the Cisbaikal Forest-Steppe

The mineralogical composition of agrogray, dark gray, and agro-dark gray soils (Luvic Greyzemic Retic Phaeozems); agro-dark gray residual-calcareous soils (Calcaric Cambic Phaeozems); clay-illuvial agrochernozems (Luvic Chernic Phaeozems); and agrochernozems with migrational–mycelial carbonates (Haplic Chernozems) developed in the forest-steppe of Central Siberia within the Irkutsk Depression has been studied. The clay (<1 μm) fraction separated from these soils consists of mixed-layer minerals with alternating layers of hydromica, smectite, vermiculite, and chlorite; the proportions between them change within the soil profiles. The clay fraction also contains hydromicas, kaolinite, chlorite, and some admixture of the fine-dispersed quartz. Each type of the soils is characterized by its own distribution pattern of clay material with specific alternation of layers in the mixed-layer formations. Mixed-layer minerals of the chlorite–vermiculite type predominate in the upper horizons of texture-differentiated soils. Down the soil profile, the content of mixed-layer mica–smectitic minerals increases. In the clay fraction of arable dark gray-humus soils with residual carbonates, the distribution of the clay fraction and major mineral phases in the soil profile is relatively even. An increased content of well-crystallized kaolinite is typical of these soils. The parent material of agrochernozems has a layered character: the upper horizons are generally depleted of clay, and the middle-profile and lower horizons are characterized by the considerable kaolinite content. In general, the clay material of soils of the Tulun–Irkutsk forest-steppe differs considerably from the clay material of foreststeppe soils developed from loesslike and mantle loams in the European part of Russia. In particular, this difference is seen in the proportions between major mineral phases and between biotitic and muscovitic components, as well as in the degree of crystallinity and behavior of kaolinite and chlorite.     

Weathering patterns in representative soils of Guanxi Province, south-east China, as indicated by detailed clay mineralogy

The mineralogy of five soils situated on a south-west to north-east transect of Guanxi Province, south-east China was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and chemical composition. One soil had formed on granite under tropical conditions, the others on sedimentary rocks under subtropical conditions. In all soils, kaolinite dominates the clay fractions, and is accompanied by vermiculite or chloritized vermiculite. In the saprolites of the granite-derived and sandstone-derived soils, the kaolinite has a morphology close to that of hydrated halloysite. The formamide and hydrazine/water tests suggested the presence of both poorly-crystalline (dehydrated halloysite) and well-ordered kaolinite. Gibbsite was identified in the saprolites of the granite-derived and sandstone-derived soils but not in the soils themselves. Gibbsite was also identified in the lowermost horizon of a soil derived from Pleistocene sediments. The upper horizon clay of a Rendzina soil formed on Permian limestone contains much more gibbsite and is much more weathered than the corresponding lower horizon clay. Only in the more humid, southernmost soil can the mineral composition be explained by present-day climatic conditions. In the soils from drier areas, the clay mineral composition reflects weathering that had taken place under moister, paleoclimatic conditions. Some of these paleoclimatic conditions had been conducive to lateritic weathering, as is indicated by the presence of goethite-containing pisolitic nodules in one of the soils and in its parent material. Two of the soils appear to be polymorphic, with one part of the soil having weathered more strongly than the other part.     

Exchange properties and mineralogy of some soils derived from lavas of lower old red sandstone (devonian) age. II. mineralogy

The mineralogy of some soils developed on tills derived from basalt and andesite of Lower Old Red Sandstone age has been investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical and scanning electron microscopy. All particle-size fractions as well as some unweathered Lower Old Red Sandstone lavas are rich in layer silicate minerals. The lavas contain abundant saponite of hydrothermal or late-stage deuteric origin. This mineral occurs in rõck fragments which are found in the coarse sand and as aggregated grains in the fine sand and silt and is responsible for the high cation-exchange capacity of these fractions. As well as saponite, the clays contain kaolinite, illite and a variety of dioctahedral interstratified minerals. Scanning electron microscope observations show that plagioclase felspar grains in the fine sand fraction commonly bear regularly shaped etch pits which seem to indicate weathering by solution. The exchangeable calcium and magnesium in the soils derive mainly from decomposition of plagioclase felspar and saponite, respectively, the increasing magnesium content down the profile reflecting the higher content of saponite in the lower horizons. In all probability the exchangeable potassium which is concentrated in the clay fraction is preferentially sorbed at exchange sites on particle edges and is not associated with any particular clay mineral. Clay-mineral aggregates in lava-derived soils may be common, but they can originate in three different ways, viz,, pedogenic cementation, weathering of primary minerals, and inheritance from parent rock.