由石灰性冲积物发育而来的排水不良和排水良好的土壤中游离氧化物的分布

A study on the distribution of free iron and manganese oxides was conducted in soils developed on calcareous alluvial deposits under subhumid climatic conditions, in Western Greece. Soil samples from two well drained soils and from two poorly drained soils, classified as Alfisols, were collected and used in this study. After certification of soil homogeneity the acid ammonium oxalate and dithionite-citrate-bicaxbonate methods were used to extract free iron and manganese oxides from the samples. Iron oxides extracted by the dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate method (Fed) were significantly higher than the iron oxides extracted by the ammonium oxalate method (Feo), indicating that a considerable fraction is present in crystalline forms, independent of drainage status. A confirmation of free iron oxides and fine clay was detected. The ratios Feo/Fed and (Fed-Feo)/total Fe (Fet) could not be used to distinguish the well drained soils from the poorly drained soils. Manganese movement in a soluble form is independent of the fine clay.     

铁氧化物与土壤表面电荷性质的关系

The relationship between iron oxides and surface charge characteristics in variable charge soils (latosol and red earth) was studied in following three ways.(1)Remove free iron oxides (Fed) and amorphous iron oxides (Feo) from the soils with sodium dithionite and acid ammonium oxalate solution respectively.(2) Add 2% glucose (on the basis of air-dry soil weight) to soils and incubate under submerged condition to activate iron oxides,and then the mixtures are dehydrated and air-dried to age iron oxides.(3) Precipitate various crystalline forms of iron oxides onto kaolinite.The results showed that free iron oxides (Fed) were the chief carrier of variable positive charges.Of which crystalline iron oxides (Fed-Feo) presented mainly as discrete particles in the soils and could only play a role of the carrier of positive charges,and did little influence on negative charges.Whereas the amorphous iron oxides (Feo),which presented mainly fas a coating with a large specific surface area,not only had positive charges,but also blocked the negative charge sites in soils.Submerged incubation activated iron oxides in the soils,and increased the amount of amorphous iron oxides and the degree of activation of iron oxide,which resulted in the increase of positive and negative charges of soils.Dehydration and air-dry aged iron oxides in soils and decreased the amount of amorphous iron oxides and the degree of activation of iron oxide,and also led to the decrease of positive and negative charges.Both the submerged incubation and the dehydration and air-dry had no significant influence on net charges.Precipitation of iron oxides onto kaolinite markedly increased positive charges and decreased negative charges.Amorphous iron oxide having a larger surface area contributed more positive charge sites and blocked more negative charge sites in kaolinite than crystalline goethite.     

Characterization of iron oxides in Fe-rich concretions from an imperfectly-drained Greek soil: a study by selective-dissolution techniques and X-ray diffraction

Fe-rich concretions commonly occur in Greek soils with alternating drying and waterlogging periods. This study was conducted to characterize the iron oxides in Fe-rich concretions from the upper solum of an Alfisol with seasonal perched water table by the combination of selective dissolution and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results showed that more than 75% of the total iron (Fet) was associated with the crystalline and the amorphous Fe oxides, indicating a strong accumulation of free iron oxides (Fed) in concretions. Amorphous iron compounds (Feo) was present at high concentrations and fluctuated with profile depth. The active Fe ratio (Feo/Fed) values that ranged from 0.35 to 0.41 reflected an association of poorly crystalline goethite with some ferrihydrite. The XRD data showed that the Fe-rich concretions consisted of quartz, feldspars, illite and gypsum. The mineralogy of iron oxides in concretions was determined by comparison of XRD patterns for dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) treated (deferrated) and untreated (non-deferrated) samples. Poorly crystalline goethite as demonstrated by broad lines in the diffraction patterns and ferrihydrite were the iron oxides detected in the concretions. This mineral assemblage appears to be related to the pedoenvironmental conditions in which the concretions were formed and indicates that the mechanisms governing the formation of crystalline Fe oxides from ferrihydrite are retarded by the presence of crystallization inhibitors.     

Evaluation of available silicon content and its determining factors of agricultural soils in Japan

To evaluate the available silicon (Si) content in agricultural soils in Japan and to investigate the determining factors of this content, we collected 180 soil samples from the surface layer of paddies and upland fields in Japan and determined their available Si contents. A phosphate buffer (PB; 0.02 M, pH 6.9) or an acetate buffer (AB; 0.1 M, pH 4.0) was used to extract available Si from the soil samples, and the Si concentrations in the extracts were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emissions spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The total Si content and selected physicochemical properties were also determined for the soil samples. The median values of the available Si contents by the PB and AB methods were 48.8 and 79.7 mg kg^?1 and corresponded to 0.017% and 0.027% of the total Si content, respectively. The overall data showed log-normal distributions. The available Si content of the upland soils was significantly higher than that of the paddy soils by both the PB (p < 0.01) and AB methods (p < 0.05). The available Si contents by the PB and AB methods had a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) and they had significant negative correlation with the total Si content (p < 0.01). The values of the available Si contents by the PB and AB methods correlated positively with the pH, total carbon (C) content, and dithionite-citrate bicarbonate extractable iron (Fed) and aluminum (Ald), acid oxalate extractable iron (Feo) and aluminum (Alo), Fed-Feo and Alo+1/2Feo values (p < 0.01). A multi-regression analysis indicated that pH, amorphous minerals and crystalline iron (Fe) oxides were the dominant determining factors of available Si in the soils, and these three variables explained approximately two thirds of the variation of available Si content in agricultural soils in Japan. In terms of soil type, Terrestrial Regosols, Dark Red soils and Andosols had relatively high available Si contents, whereas Sand-dune Regosols, Red soils and Gray Lowland soils had relatively low contents. In terms of region, the soils in the Kanto and Okinawa regions had relatively high available Si contents and those in the Kinki, Shikoku and Chugoku regions had relatively low contents. In conclusion, the available Si content and its determining factors for agricultural soils in Japan were quantitatively elucidated, and this will contribute to the establishment of rational soil management?—including the application of silicate materials, taking into account the Si-supplying power of the relevant soils—for sustainable and productive agriculture in Japan.     

Characteristics of the soils developed under broad-leaved evergreen forests in okinawa prefecture and the kinki district with special reference to their pedogenetic processes

Abstract

Properties of sesquioxides, clay mineralogical composition, and charge characteristics of the soils developed under broad-leaved evergreen forests in Okinawa Prefecture (subtropical climate) and the Kinki District (warm temperate climate) were studied with special reference to their pedogenetic processes in order to reexamine the corresponding parameters of Brown Forest soils and related soils in Japan.

The soils in Okinawa Prefecture were characterized by a higher degree of weathering as compared to the soils in the Kinki District. Major differences involved the values of the Fed/Fet ratio for the soil samples throughout the profile, and those of the ratios of (Fed-Feo)/Fet, CEC/clay, and (Feo + Alo)/ clay and the content of CaO plus Na₂O for the B horizon. The soils in the Kinki District did not show andic soil properties, nor Al translocation in the profile and, both of which were characteristic of Brown Forest soils developed under cool temperate climatic conditions at high altitudes in the same District.

The difference in the degree of weathering were reflected on the charge characteristics at the very surface of the soils, i.e., the surface of the particles of the soils in Okinawa Prefecture exhibited a lower reactivity as compared with those of the soils in the Kinki District.     

海南岛北部玄武岩上土壤发生研究Ⅱ.铁氧化物特征

研究了海南岛北部玄武岩上发育的不同风化成土年代土壤系列的铁氧化物特征。研究表明,随风化成土时间增加,土壤发生过程中形成的游离铁（Fed）以及铁游离度（Fed/Fet）增大,铁活化度（Feo/Fed）降低。穆斯堡尔谱分析显示风化成土时间从9×104a、64×104a至 181× 104a,土壤黏粒中形成的赤铁矿含量占铁氧化物的比例从16％、25％增至 48％。风化成土时间越短,土壤中针铁矿结晶程度越差。X-射线衍射结果表明土壤细土和黏粒中赤铁矿含量与风化成土时间呈正比增加。同时,土壤有磁铁矿含量减少、磁赤铁矿增加的趋势。     

Mineralogy and Arsenic Mobility in Arsenic-rich Brazilian Soils and Sediments (11 pp)

Background   Soils and sediments in certain mining regions of Brazil contain an unusually large amount of arsenic (As), which raises concerns that mining could promote increased As mobility, and thereby increase the risks of contaminating water supplies. Objectives   The purpose of this study was to identify the most important factors governing As mobility in sediments and soils near three gold-mining sites in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods   Surface and sub-surface soil samples were collected at those sites and characterized by chemical and mineralogical analyses. Oxalate (Feo) and citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (Fed) iron contents were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Arsenic mobilization was measured after incubating the samples in a 2.5 mM CaCl2 solution under anaerobic conditions for 1, 28, 56, 84, or 112 days. The solution concentrations of As, Fe, and Mn were then measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and AAS, respectively. Results and Discussion   Results indicated that As mobilization is largely independent of both the total As and the Feo/Fed ratio of the solid phase. Soluble As is roughly controlled by the Fe (hydr)oxide content of the soil, but a closer examination of the data revealed the importance of other highly weathered clay minerals and organic matter. Large amounts of organic matter and a low iron oxide content should favor As leaching from soils and sediments. Under reducing conditions, As is mobilized by the reductive dissolution of Fe and/or Mn oxides. However, released As may be readsorbed depending on the sorptive properties of the soil. Gibbsite is particularly effective in adsorbing or readsorbing As, as is the remaining unreduced fraction of the iron (hydr)oxides. Conclusion and Outlook   In general, low soluble As is related to the presence of gibbsite, a large amount of iron oxides, and a lack of organic matter in the solid phase. This has environmental significance because gibbsite is thermodynamically more stable than Fe oxides under anaerobic conditions, such as those found in waterlogged soils and lake sediments.     

植物多酚与低分子量有机酸联合作用对紫色土铁形态分布的影响

植物多酚(PP)和低分子量有机酸(LMWOA)对土壤铁形态转化有重要影响。以酸性、中性和石灰性紫色土为研究对象,采用不完全随机区组试验,用2种PP(即表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)和芦丁)和2种LMWOA(即柠檬酸和草酸)溶液浸提供试土壤,测定其可溶铁(Fes)、游离铁(Fed)、活性铁(Feo)、络合铁(Fep)含量,探讨了PP与LMWOA对紫色土铁形态分布的影响。结果表明:PP与LMWOA各自单独作用均能使酸性紫色土Fes增加、中性紫色土Fes减少;对于石灰性紫色土,PP会促进其Fes增加,而LMWOA作用相反。EGCG与LMWOA联合作用,在酸性和石灰性紫色土上均表现为LMWOA通过促使本应转化为Fes的转化为Fep而掩蔽EGCG对铁的溶解作用;芦丁与LMWOA联合作用,在酸性紫色土铁的溶解上表现为协同效应,在石灰性紫色土上则表现为LMWOA会抑制芦丁对铁的溶解作用;对于中性紫色土,PP与LMWOA联合作用可促进Fed向Fes转化而削弱PP对铁溶解的抑制作用。     

珠江三角洲平原不同种植年限土壤铁氧化物特征研究

珠江三角洲平原具有上千年的围垦历史,其土壤发生演变过程深受人为作用影响,开展此区域不同种植年限土壤中铁氧化物形态特征和分布规律的研究,能够揭示人为耕种下土壤发生演变过程。以珠江三角洲平原不同种植年限的土壤剖面为对象,研究了滨海沉积物、河流冲积物和三角洲沉积物发育的土壤及黏粒中全铁、游离铁含量变化及其影响因素。结果表明:随着种植年限的增加,河流冲积物、三角洲沉积物发育土壤中游离铁(Fe_d)向土体下部淀积深度逐渐增加,黏粒中游离铁(Fe_(d(clay)))含量在水耕氧化还原层中呈减小趋势,而滨海沉积物发育的土壤Fe_d含量及淀积深度均有所减小。随着种植年限的增加,滨海沉积物发育的土壤全铁(Fe_t)和游离铁(Fe_d)在黏粒中的富集程度呈增大趋势,而河流冲积物、三角洲沉积物发育的土壤Fe_t和Fe_d富集程度逐渐减小。土壤Fe_d与Fe_t、黏粒游离铁(Fe_(d(clay)))与黏粒全铁(Fe_(t(clay)))均呈极显著正相关;全铁富集率(Fe_(t(clay))/Fe_t)、游离铁富集率(Fe_(d(clay))/Fe_d)均与Fe_(t(clay))、Fe_(d(clay))、黏粒铁游离度(Fe_(d(clay))/Fe_(t(clay)))呈极显著正相关,与Fe_t、Fe_d、土壤铁游离度(Fe_d/Fe_t)、黏粒含量呈极显著负相关,且Fe_(t(clay))/Fe_t与Fe_(d(clay))/Fe_d呈极显著正相关,表明土壤铁氧化物在黏粒中的富集以Fe_d为主,且铁氧化物的富集程度受土壤黏粒含量的影响。     

Relationship between the characteristics of Mediterranean Red soils and the age of the geomorphological surfaces in central-western Spain

A study was conducted of the Mediterranean Red soils of a region in Central Western Spain with a goal of describing the relationship between their main characteristics and the age of the geomorphic surfaces over which they have developed. The main macromorphological characteristics of the soils were analyzed, with a statistical study of the analytical data on 70 samples of Mediterranean Red soils. The oldest surfaces contain Palexerults and Ultic Palexeralfs, Calcic Rhodoxeralfs, Calcic-vertic Palexeralfs, Typic Rhodoxeralfs, Typic Palexeralfs, Vertic Haploxeralfs and Typic Haploxeralfs have been observed in a chronosequence on terraces of the River Tormes. The soil typology changes with the age of the surfaces, from soils with a sharp textural contrast at the upper limit of the argillaceous horizon, with a dark red very clayey and very thick Bt horizon (on the oldest surface) to not very thick brown soils without a clear clay illuviation and with a lower content in clay (on the youngest surface).The effect of recent erosion on the morphology of the soils located on a single surface has caused new soils to form superimposed on pre-existing soils.     

Titratable Acidity and Alkalinity of Red Soil Surfaces

The surfaces of red soils have an apparent amphotenc character, carrying titratable acidity and titratable alkalinity simultaneously. The titratable acidity arises from deprotonation of hydroxyl groups of hydrous oxide-type surfaces and dissociation of weak-acid functional groups of soil organic matter, while the titratable alkalinity is derived from release of hydroxyl groups of hydrous oxide-type surfaces. The titratable acidity and titratable alkalinity mainly depended on the composition and content of iron and aluminum oxides in the soils. The results showed that the titratable acidity and titratable alkalinity were in significantly positive correlation not only with the content of amorphous aluminum oxide(Alo) and iron oxide(Feo) extracted with acid ammonium oxalate solution, free iron ox-ide(Fed) extracted with sodium dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) and clays, but also with the zero point of charge (ZPC) of the samples. Organic matter made an important contribution to the titratable acidity.     

The influence of iron oxides on the surface area of soil

Soils from Denmark and Tanzania have been extracted with ammonium acetate (controls), EDTA to dissolve amorphous iron oxides, and dithionite-EDTA (DE) to dissolve crystalline iron oxides. The surface areas of the extracted soils have been determined by applying the BET equation to nitrogen adsorption and by water adsorption at 19 percent relative humidity. High correlations (P < 0.001) were found (i) between EDTA-extractable iron (amorphous iron oxides) and the decrease in the surface area following EDTA extraction, and (ii) between the difference between DE-extractable iron and EDTA-extractable iron (crystalline iron oxides) and the further decrease in the surface area following DE extraction. The calculated specific surfaces of both the amorphous and the crystalline iron oxides varied from soil to soil but without any definite trend. The means of all the soils investigated may therefore serve as reasonable estimates of the specific surfaces of amorphous and crystalline iron oxides in soil.     

Adsorption of cobalt by soil iron oxides at low solution concentration

Abstract

Eleven selected soils from Denmark and Tanzania were treated with ammonium acetate (controls), EDTA, and dithionite‐EDTA (DE) to fractionate iron and (manganese) oxides. The amounts of cobalt adsorbed were determined from a 3 μM equilibrium cobalt solution, corresponding to the cobalt level in natural soil solutions using sodium nitrate (0.2 M) to suppress non‐specific adsorption, by the extracted soils as well as by two synthetic iron oxides.

No significant correlations were found between cobalt adsorption and the contents of organic matter and extractable manganese, presumably due to their low contents in the soils investigated. Close correlations were, however, found between the amounts of cobalt adsorbed, especially fractions thereof, and the contents of iron oxides.

The amounts of cobalt adsorbed by the DE‐ex‐tracted soils, void of iron (and manganese) oxides, were attributed to the clay silicates. The remaining cobalt adsorption, i.e. the difference between cobalt adsorbed by acetate‐extracted and DE‐extracted samples, was attributed to the iron oxides. This portion of adsorbed cobalt was well described by considering soil iron oxides composed of only two fractions, an EDTA‐extractable fraction of high reactivity and a less reactive fraction corresponding to the difference between DE‐extractable iron and EDTA‐extractable iron.

The amounts of cobalt adsorbed by the soil iron oxides were well predicted from the contents and specific surface of the two iron oxide fractions in soil together with the amount of cobalt adsorbed by the synthetic iron oxides.     

Geochemistry of Aluminium and Iron in Mine Soils from As Pontes,Galicia (N.W. Spain)

The geochemical processes influencing iron and aluminium mobilization and immobilization processes in mine soils are discussed. The study was carried out on 11 soils from the As Pontes mine dump, in the process of reclamation. The soils differ in age, spoils nature, reclamation tasks and type of vegetation, covering a wide range of physico-chemical conditions. Oxalate and pyrophosphate extractable Al and Fe (Alo, Alp, Feo, Fep), and dithionite extractable Fe (Fed) were analysed. These fractions were related to the solution Al and Fe forms and contents and to other soil properties (Eh, pH, sulfides, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and composition of the soil solution). Alo ranged between 2.2 and 111.2 cmolc kg-1; 5 to 80% of this Alo was organic aluminium (Alp). Fed ranged between 8.5 and 215.6 cmolc kg-1; 20 to 70% was poorly-criystalline iron (Feo). The solution concentrations of Al and Fe ranged between <0.1 and 319.2, and between <0.1 and 46.7 mg L-1, respectively. The results showed that the spoil nature (mostly carbonaceous clays and slates differing in sulfide content) and the reclamation tasks undertaken (topsoiling, liming with fly ash) determine the forms and contents of Al and Fe in the solid phase as well as in the soil solution and also its distribution between the solid and liquid phases.     

我国酸性硫酸盐土壤中铁锰形态转化及迁移

酸性硫酸盐土壤酸性很强，有机质含量高，造成了这种土壤所特有的铁锰淋洗、转化和迁移规律。研究结果表明：在酸性硫酸盐土壤中全铁含量较低，一般在３５－５０ｇ／ｋｇ（以Ｆｅ２Ｏ３计），全锰含量也低，一般在０．２５－０．５５ｇ／ｋｇ（以ＭｎＯ计），一般滩涂中全铁大于６０ｇ／ｋｇ，全锰大于１ｇ／ｋｇ。酸性硫酸盐土壤中，铁的游离度较小，一般在３７－７０％，铁的活化度较大，一般在８－２０％，而滩涂中铁的游离度一般     

北京地区红色黏土特性及成土过程和系统分类探讨

为研究北京地区红色黏土的成土过程及其系统分类,选取6个发育在石灰岩类和花岗岩类母岩上的红色黏土剖面,研究了土壤剖面形态、理化性质、黏土矿物组成等,并分析了其成土条件和发生过程。结果表明:所有土壤剖面的土壤结构体面上均有黏粒胶膜,通体无石灰反应,铁的游离度高,活化度低。石灰岩类发育的红色黏土质地更细,其土壤黏粒游离铁较多,颜色更红,结构体团聚程度更强。花岗岩发育的红色黏土因含有大量难以风化的石英,因而含有较多的砂粒,结构体团聚程度较低。这些土壤形成过程中发生了强烈的黏化和铁质化作用,可以推断其是在古湿热气候条件下形成的。而目前土壤的pH呈微碱或中性,交换性盐基离子以Ca2+为主,盐基饱和度较高,则是受现代黄土降尘的影响,发生了复盐基过程的结果。在此基础上,依据《中国土壤系统分类检索(第三版)》确定的原则和方法,确定研究剖面分属于淋溶土纲下的4个不同亚类。     

水耕人为土时间序列铁氧化物与磁化率演变特征

以我国亚热带地区不同母质起源的水耕人为土时间序列为研究对象,分析不同形态铁氧化物和磁化率随成土时间的动态演变特征及其影响因素。结果表明,石灰性母质起源的水耕人为土0~120 cm土体中全铁(Fet)、游离铁(Fed)和游离度(Fed/Fet)随时间序列演变均逐渐增加,0~50 a内Fet、Fed和Fed/Fet增加速率分别为3.2 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)、1.2 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)和0.04%a~(-1),50~1 000 a内Fet、Fed和Fed/Fet增加速率分别为0.1 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)、0.15 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)和0.01%a~(-1);而酸性母质起源的水耕人为土0~120 cm土体中Fet、Fed和Fed/Fet随时间序列演变均逐渐下降,0~60 a内Fet、Fed和Fed/Fet下降速率分别为0.2 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)、0.5 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)和0.03%a~(-1),60~300 a内Fet、Fed和Fed/Fet下降速率分别为0.9 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)、1.2 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)和0.06%a~(-1)。土壤pH、Eh、以及外源铁输入与土体内铁淋失的相对强度是控制不同母质水耕人为土中铁氧化物转化速率与途径的主要因素。石灰性母质起源的水耕人为土中不同磁学指标随时间演变分为三个阶段:0~50 a内表现为质量磁化率(MS)、饱和等温剩磁(SIRM)和软剩磁(IRMs)的急剧降低;50~300 a内表现为MS、SIRM和IRMs的持续、缓慢降低以及硬剩磁(IRMh)的相对稳定发展;300~1 000 a内表现为MS、SIRM和IRMs的持续、缓慢降低以及IRMh的快速下降。酸性母质起源的水耕人为土0~20 cm和20~120 cm土壤中磁学指标演变呈现截然不同的两个阶段:0~60 a 0~20 cm内MS,SIRM和IRMs的急剧降低,IRMh具有明显增加;而20~120 cm内MS、SIRM和IRMs缓慢下降,IRMh明显降低。60~300 a 0~20 cm内不同磁学指标变化幅度均很小,而20~120 cm内IRMh相对比较稳定,MS、SIRM和IRMs在种稻150 a后快速下降。淹水还原条件下亚铁磁性矿物的破坏是不同母质水耕人为土演变过程中磁性衰减的主要机制。     

Deoxyribonucleic Acid Homology Among Strains of Soybean-Nodulating Bacteria

Abstract

Characteristics of Brown Forest soils developed under different bio-climatic conditions from low to high eleyations in the Kinki District were studied with special reference to their pedogenetic processes. The Brown Forest soils at high elevations were characterized by a lower bulk density, higher capacities to adsorb organic matter, phosphate, and moisture, which were correlated with the ratio of the amorphous content to the clay content (the value of the ratio of (Feo + Alo)/clay), as compared to those at low elevations. Considering the fact that the value of the (Feo + Alo)/clay ratio was not correlated with the volcanic glass index, the formation of an amorphous fraction at high elevations was considered to proceed according to the following mechanism.

Low temperature at high elevations (above 700 m) may retard the crystallization of oxide minerals. The amorphous oxides with variable positive charge thus formed may adsorb organic matter, confering a darker color and high moisture and high phosphate retention capacities to the subsoil. Adsorbed organic matter stabilizes these amorphous oxides, thus enhancing the amorphous properties and inhibiting crystallization. A1 translocation due to the weak podzolization may contribute to the increase of the content of amorphous materials.

Characterization of the B horizons in forest soils in Japan, in terms of the values of the ratios of (Feo + Alo)/clay, (Fed-Feo)/Fet, and Alo/Ald, (CEC -ECEQ/CEC and STPT-ZPC, suggested that forest soils might be classified into four groups.     

Soil Characteristics under Three Vegetation Types Associated with Shifting Cultivation in a Mixed Dipterocarp Forest in Sarawak, Malaysia

In order to provide appropriate soil information for the rehabilitation of tropical rainforest ecosystems, we examined the soil morphological, physico-chemical, mineralogical properties and charge characteristics in a degraded mixed dipterocarp forest with three type of vegetation, namely grassland, secondary forest, and remnant forest in Japan Sarawak Friendship Forest, Sarawak, Malaysia. We compared the soil properties at six representative locations differing in topography and vegetation types, with special reference to the effect of anthropogenic activities on the catenary sequence. All the soils were acidic or weakly acidic. Contents of clay, exchangeable Al, Alo, Ald and Fed and the values of the cation exchange capacity and Al saturation increased with depth. The clay mineral composition was dominated by kaolin minerals. The value of point of zero salt effect ranged from 3.0 to 4.0, indicating that the soil was not yet strongly weathered. A catenary sequence of the soils was observed; softer in soil hardness, higher contents of total exchangeable bases in the lower slope plots than in the upper slope plots and higher values of Feo/Fed in the surface horizon in the lower slope plots than in the upper slope plots. However, the effect of anthropogenic activities was observed; higher contents of total exchangeable bases in the grassland than in the other vegetation types. Based on the stable condition on weathering and erosion, the upper slope plot of the remnant forest exhibited a thicker O horizon, lower Feo/Fed values and a relatively high amount of chlorite. Soil variability should be taken into account for appropriate management of rehabilitation in tropical rainforests.