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.     

Clay mineralogy in agrochernozems of western Ukraine

The mineralogy of clay fractions separated from deep low-humus deep-gleyic loamy typical agrochernozems on loess-like loams of the Upper Bug and Dniester uplands in the Central Russian loess province of Ukraine consists of complex disordered interstratifications with the segregation of mica- and smectite-type layers (hereafter, smectite phase), tri- and dioctahedral hydromicas, kaolinite, and chlorite. The distribution of the clay fraction is uniform. The proportions of the layered silicates vary significantly within the profile: a decrease in the content of the smectite phase and a relative increase in the content of hydromicas up the soil profile are recorded. In the upper horizons, the contents of kaolinite and chlorite increase, and some amounts of fine quartz, potassium feldspars, and plagioclases are observed. This tendency is observed in agrochernozems developed on the both Upper Bug and Dniester uplands. The differences include the larger amounts of quartz, potassium feldspars, and plagioclases in the clay material of the Upper Bug Upland, while the contents of the smectite phase in the soil profiles of the areas considered are similar. An analogous mineral association is noted in podzolized agrochernozems on loess-like deposits in the Cis-Carpathian region of the Southern Russian loess province developed on the Prut–Dniester and Syan–Dniester uplands. The distribution of particle-size fractions and the mineralogy of the clay fraction indicate the lithogenic heterogeneity of the soil-forming substrate. When the drifts change, the mineral association of the soils developed within the loess-like deposits gives place to minerals dominated by individual smectite with some mica–smectite inter stratifications, hydromicas, and chlorite.     

Spatial distribution of clay minerals in agrochernozems of erosional and denudational plains in the Stavropol region

The distribution pattern of the fine fractions (<1.0 and 1?C5 ??m) and the mineralogical composition of the agrochernozems formed on the erosional-denudational plains of the Stavropol region have been studied. Erosion and denudation caused the redistribution of the fine material within the catena with its maximal accumulation on the lowermost part of the slope. The same processes favored the formation of surface deposits slightly differing in the composition of the principal mineral phases, i.e., complex disordered mixedlayered micas-smectites with varying combinations of micaceous and smectite layers in crystallites and di- and trioctahedral hydromicas. Imperfect kaolinite and magnesium-ferric chlorite are accompanying minerals. An increase in the amount of mixed-layered minerals with smectite layer is observed down the profile. In addition to the mentioned minerals, the individual smectite and clinoptilolite, which are components of Tertiary deposits, are identified in the lower parts of the agrochernozem profiles. The fine-silt fractions consist of (in decreasing order) di- and tri-octahedral micas, quartz, feldspars, plagioclase, and an admixture of phyllosilicates (kaolinite, chlorite, and mixed-layered chlorite-smectites). The maximal amount of the fine fraction, as well as the maximal amount of mica in it, is registered in the soils in the lower part of the slope. The phyllosilicates are decomposed in this fraction in the upper horizons. The seven-year-long application of mineral fertilizers intensified the peptization of the soil mass in the arable horizons, which increased the content of clay particles in them. A more contrasting distribution of the mixed-layered formations in the profiles, a considerable decrease in their reflection intensities, an increase in the structural disorder of the minerals, and a certain increase in the content of the fine-dispersed quartz are observed.     

Structural state of migrational-mycelial (typical) agrochernozems of the Kamennaya Steppe on plowed fields of different ages

Changes in the structural state of migrational-mycelial (typical) chernozems (Haplic Chernozems (Clayic, Aric, Pachic)) as dependent on the duration of their cultivation (from 20 to 120 years) are considered. Field studies were performed in 2013 on the fields of the Dokuchaev Research Institute of Agriculture in the Central Chernozemic Region of Russia (the Kamennaya Steppe area) used for growing cereals and row crops in rotation. The study showed that the most intensive degradation of the structure of chernozems takes place during the first two decades of their agricultural use. The maximum transformation of the soil structure is observed in the upper 10 cm, as this layer is subjected to the most frequent and intense mechanical impacts. The rate of structural degradation decreases with time until the equilibrium between disaggregation and aggregation processes is reached. The time required for this largely depends on the applied crop rotation systems and agrotechnologies. In this context, flexible assessment scales for the structural state of agrochernozems under conditions of different farming systems should be developed in order to perform monitoring of the physical properties of cultivated chernozems for their long-term efficient and ecologically sustainable use. Despite general disintegration and destruction of granular aggregates, the structural state of agrochernozems in the Kamennaya Steppe area remains sufficiently good even on the old-cultivated (120 yrs.) fields.     

Mineralogical composition of silt fractions and its transformation under the impact of different cenoses in model lysimeters

A lysimetric experiment has made it possible to trace changes in the fine and medium silt fractions of soils developing from the noncalcareous mantle loam under typical phytocenoses of the southern taiga zone during a 33-year-long period. The silt fractions were separated by the Gorbunov method, and their mineralogical composition was analyzed by X-ray diffractometry. The fine silt fraction consists of quartz, kaolinite, chlorite, hydromica, smectite, and feldspars. The medium silt fraction consists of quartz, kaolinite, mica, and feldspars. In both fractions, the content of feldspars in the upper horizons has increased in comparison with the initial parent material due to the physical disintegration of coarser fractions. The chemical decomposition of mica has been registered in the layer of 10–30 cm. In lysimeters under artificially planted mixed forest cenoses, acidic hydrolysis may take place at this depth. Cryogenic processes play an important role in the soil formation at the early stages.     

Factors and mechanisms of soil salinization under vineyards of southern Taman

The spatial distribution of saline soils under vineyards in the south of Taman Peninsular is discussed. The Paleogene–Neogene clays of the Komendantskaya Mount serve as the source of salts. Vineyards were planted on an inclined plain at the foot of this mount. At present, their state on salt-affected soils worsens. In the upper part of the plain, solonchakous or deep-solonchakous slightly saline and nonsaline (within the upper 2 m) dark quasigley vertic soils (Vertisols) are formed. The salts are of the sulfate–sodium composition. Their vertical distribution has an eluvial pattern with a quick rise in the salt content from the surface layer to the depth of 50–100 cm and with a gradual increase in the salt content in the deeper layers. The absence of chlorides in the soils of flat areas within the slope attests to the predominance of lateral leaching of salts down the slope over their vertical leaching in the soil profiles. In the lower part of the slope, soil salinization mainly takes place in the hollow crossing the plain and the vineyard from the north to the south. In the middle part of the slope, nonsaline (to a depth of 2 m) agrohumus quasigley soils (Haplic Chernozems (Clayic, Aric, Stagnic)) are formed. Slight chloride–sulfate sodium salinization is only seen in the soils of the hollow, which contain fine-crystalline gypsum in the solid phase and display the accumulation of sodium chlorides in the middle part of the soil profile (in the 60–150-cm-thick layer). Heavy loamy agrochernozems with migrational and segregational forms of carbonates (Haplic Chernozems (Loamic, Aric, Pachic) are developed in the lower part of the slope; they are nonsaline to the depth of 2.5 m. In the area of transition from the humusquasigley soils to chernozems, specific horizons are formed in the hollow at the depth of more than 250 cm. Their soil solutions contain sodium, calcium, and magnesium chlorides against the background of the presence of fine-crystalline gypsum in the solid phase, which is typical of secondary salinization.     

The nature of smectites and associated interstratified minerals in soils of the Gharb plain of Morocco

The mineralogies of ‘Tirs’ (Typic Pelloxererts), and ‘Debs’ (Typic Haploxerolls and Typic Xerochrepts) soils of the Gharb plain in north-western Morocco are investigated, with special attention given to the determination of the nature of the smectitic phase using the lithium test (Li test) and the alkylammonium method. The sand and silt mineralogy of Tirs soils is dominated by quartz with small amounts of feldspars and kaolinite. The sand and silt fractions of Dehs soils also contain significant amounts of mica, chlorite, and interstratified phyllosilicates. The clay minerals of Tirs soils are predominantly a high-charge smectite. The estimated interlayer charge for this phase is 0.61 mol(c)/O₁₀(OH)₂ and the fraction of tetrahedral charge varies from 38 to 44%. Although the percentage tetrahedral charge is less than 50%, the smectitic phase behaves as beidellite with the Li test. Dehs clays are more heterogeneous, consisting of smectite, vermiculite, illite, kaolinite, chlorite, and interstratified illite/smectite and illite/vermiculite. The Li test and the alkylammonium method demonstrate that a high-charge smectite or vermiculite is interstratified with illite. A low-charge montmorillonite is also present both in Tirs and in Dehs soils. The high-charge beidellitic phase is believed to be a transformation product of mica, whilst the low charge montmorillonite is thought to be inherited from the parent material.     

Clay minerals in a denudation-accumulative soil catena

Chernozems and agrochernozems of the Kamennaya Steppe agroforest landscape have a silty clay or clay texture and similar associations of clay minerals. The plow horizons of the agrochernozems on a slope of 2°–3° to the Talovaya Balka have an increased content of the smectite phase (50–70%) compared to the upper horizons of the chernozems on flat watersheds (30–50%) due to the lithological discontinuity of the soil-forming material and the possible total removal of material on the slope by denudation. On slightly eroded areas, the clay minerals display a more intense disturbance of their crystal lattice structures by pedogenetic processes, which increase the degree of disorder in their layers and the accumulation of fine quartz in the clay fraction. In the areas with more significant erosion of the humus horizon, the clay minerals are characterized by their perfect structure and clean reflections, which are indicative of the outcropping of less weathered material from the middle part of the chernozem profile less transformed by pedogenesis.     

中国东南部某些水稻土的矿物学

Limited information is available concerning the mineralogy of paddy soils in the southeastern China. Using chemical methods in conjunction with X-ray diffractometry, we studied the mineral composition of three paddy soils: Jinghua (paddy soil on Quaternary red clay), Fuyang (Hapl-percogenic loamy paddy soil), and Shaoxing (gleyic clayey paddy soil). All the soils contained quartz, mica, vermiculite, chlorite and kaolinite, and the distribution of these minerals varied with soil particle size fractions. The clay fraction of the Fuyang and Shaoxing soils also contained smectite. Although X-ray data did not show the presence of smectite in the Jinghua soil, this mineral was identified by the chemical method, suggesting a transitional property of the mineral in the soil. Hydroxy-Al interlayered minerals were also present in the clay fraction. The amount of smectite in the soils was 31.6 (Shaoxing), 16.5 (Fuyang), and 21.4 (Jinghua) g kg^-1; for vermiculite it was 33.3 (Shaoxing), 16.5 (Fuyang), and 8.5 (Jinghua) g kg^-1. Smectite was only found in the clay fraction. In contrast, amounts of vermiculite in soil particle size fractions were 3.0~11.4 (sand), 2.1~6.0 (coarse silt), 4.6~18.9 (medium silt), 0.9~40.0 (fine silt), and 17.0~108 (clay) g kg^-1. The amount of noncrystalline aluminosilicates in the soils in g kg^-1 decreased in the order: Shaoxing (2.4) > Jinghua (1.9) > Fuyang (1.7). This study has provided useful mineralogical information that is fundamental in future development of management strategies of the soils.     

Spatial distribution of mineral components in microcombinations of agrogrey soils with the second humus horizon in the Vladimir opolie area

Mineralogical composition of silt and clay fractions (<1.1–5 and 5–10 µm) in heavy loamy agrogrey soils (Luvic Retic Phaeozems) considerably changes both in the vertical (along the soil profile) and horizontal (along soil microcatenas) directions. The eluvial–illuvial distribution pattern of the clay fraction in the podzolized agrogrey soils with the second humus horizon is replaced by the homogeneous distribution in the agrogrey soils with residual carbonates. The distribution of silt fractions in the soil profiles is relatively homogeneous. The clay (<1 µm) fraction of the parent material is represented by the poorly ordered micasmectite interstratifications minerals, the proportion between which changes in the soil profiles in dependence on the particular pedogenetic processes. Hydromicas represent the second important component of the clay fraction. They consist of di- and trioctahedral varieties, the proportion between which changes in the soil profiles. Kaolinite and iron–magnesium chlorite are present in smaller amounts. The second humus horizon is characterized by the lowest content of mica-smectite interstratifications minerals with the high content of smectitic layers and by the lowest content of the clay fraction. Silt fractions are composed of quartz, micas, potassium feldspars, and plagioclases.     

Mineralogy of a podzol formed in sandy materials in northern denmark

This paper deals with possible mineralogical changes from one particle size fraction to another and from one horizon to another in a Typic Haplorthod. X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis were the main methods used. The investigation indicates that a large part of the fine material in the soil is developed during weathering in situ. Less resistant minerals seem to be protected by being parts of rock fragments in coarser fractions, but once freed from that protection they quickly undergo fragmentation into finer particles. Most of the sand and silt fractions are quartz. The K-feldspar content ranges between about 10 and 20%, the Na-feldspar content from about 15 to 30% and the Ca-feldspar content is very small. The clay minerals are mostly kaolinite and mica and in the A2 horizon, expandable 2:1 minerals containing both smectite and vermiculite layers. The B horizon contains 14 A minerals that resemble interstratified vermiculite—chlorite. In the C horizon both vermiculite—chlorite and clorite occur.     

Changes in the properties of solonetzic soil complexes in the dry steppe zone under anthropogenic impacts

Long-term studies of changes in the properties of solonetzic soil complexes of the dry steppe zone under anthropogenic impacts (deep plowing, surface leveling, irrigation, and post-irrigation use) have been performed on the Privolzhskaya sand ridge and the Khvalyn and Ergeni plains. The natural morphology of solonetzic soils was strongly disturbed during their deep ameliorative plowing. At present, the soil cover consists of solonetzic agrozems (Sodic Protosalic Cambisols (Loamic, Aric, Protocalcic)), textural (clay-illuvial) calcareous agrozems (Eutric Cambisols (Loamic, Aric, Protocalcic)), agrosolonetzes (Endocalcaric Luvisols (Loamic, Aric, Cutanic, Protosodic), agrochestnut soils (Eutric Cambisols (Siltic, Aric)), and meadowchestnut soils (Haplic Кastanozems). No features attesting to the restoration of the initial profile of solonetzes have been found. The dynamics of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium differ in the agrosolonetzes and solonetzic agrozems. A rise in pH values takes place in the middle part of the soil profiles on the Khvalyn and Ergeni plains.     

Mineral Composition and Weathering of Soils Derived from Xiashu Loess

Mineralogical, physical and chemical analyses of the soils derived from Xiashu loess were carried out. The primary minerals of these soils were found to be mainly composed of light minerals, such as quartz, feldspar and mica, with traces of heavy minerals. Clay minerals, more complicate in composition, were dominated by hydromica, accompanied by smectite, vermiculite, chlorite, kaolinite, 2:1/1:1 randomly interstratified minerals and small amounts of quartz, goethite, lepidocrocite and hematite, Clay minerals were characterized by low crystallinity and fine particle size. In light of the quartz/feldspars ratio of the 0.01-0.05mm silt fraction, and the clay mineral composition, the freeness of iron oxide, and the silica/sesquioxide and silica/alumina ratios in < 0.002mm clay fraction, it is concluded that the weathering intensity of these soils was lower than those of red soil and yellow earth, but higher than that of brown earth, and that the soil allitization, depotassication and hydroxylation of cl     

Diversity of clay minerals in soils of solonetzic complexes in the southeast of Western Siberia

Data on the mineralogical composition of clay in soils of solonetzic complexes of the Priobskoe Plateau and the Kulunda and Baraba lowlands have been generalized. The parent materials predominating in these regions have loamy and clayey textures and are characterized by the association of clay minerals represented by dioctahedral and trioctahedral mica–hydromica, chlorite, kaolinite, and a number of irregular interstratifications. They differ in the proportions between the major mineral phases and in the qualitative composition of the minerals. Mica–hydromica and chlorites with a small amount of smectitic phase predominate on the Priobskoe Plateau and in the Kulunda Lowland; in the Baraba Lowland, the portion of mica–smectite interstratifications is higher. An eluvial–illuvial distribution of clay fraction in solonetzes is accompanied by the acid–alkaline destruction and lessivage of clay minerals, including the smectitic phase in the superdispersed state. This results in the strong transformation of the mineralogical composition of the upper (suprasolonetzic) horizons and in the enrichment of the solonetzic horizons with the products of mineral destruction; superdispersed smectite; and undestroyed particles of hydromica, kaolinite, and chlorite from the suprasolonetzic horizons. A significant decrease in the content of smectitic phase in the surface solodic horizons of solonetzic complexes has different consequences in the studied regions. In the soils of the Priobskoe Plateau and Kulunda Lowland with a relatively low content (10–30%) of smectitic phase represented by chlorite–smectite interstratifications, this phase virtually disappears from the soils (there are only rare cases of its preservation). In the soils of the Baraba Lowland developed from the parent materials with the high content (30–50%) of smectitic phase represented by mica–smectite interstratifications, the similar decrease (by 10–20%) in the content of smectitic phase does not result in its complete disappearance. However, the smectitic phase acquires the superdispersed state and the capacity for migration.     

CLAY AND SILT MINERALOGY OF SOME SOILS FROM QASIM, SAUDI ARABIA

Qasim, some 500 km north-west of Riyadh, is one of the agriculturally important areas of Saudi Arabia. Silt fractions of the soils of the Wadi ar Rimah and side wadis, classified as Torrifluvents, are characterized by high quartz contents and the universal occurrence of kaolinite and felspar, generally with plagioclase predominant; mica, chlorite and hornblende also generally occur. The clay fractions contain mainly palygorskite and a smectite-mica interstratification with smaller amounts of kaolinite, traces of quartz and occasionally chlorite. Palygorskite generally increases in content with depth. Variations in mineralogy probably reflect changes in depositional conditions rather than pedogenic processes; possible reasons for the high palygorskite content are discussed. Sedentary soils (Torriorthents) reflect the mineralogy of the rock from which they were derived. In clay fractions from salt-marsh soils (Salorthids) calcite reacts strongly with smectite-mica during DTA.     

Changes in the agrochemical properties of major arable soils in the south of the Far East of Russia under the impact of their long-term agricultural use

Agrochemical properties of meadow-brown (Gleyic Cambisols (Clayic, Aric)) and meadow-chernozemic (Luvic Gleyic Chernic Phaeozems (Loamic, Aric, Pachic)) soils under the impact of long-term application of mineral and organic fertilizers were studied. The investigations were performed at the agrochemical experimental stations of the Primorskii region and Amur oblast founded in 1941 and 1962, respectively. It was shown that the long-term crop cultivation without fertilizers or with great rates of mineral fertilizers and lime resulted in the soil dehumification, a rise in the soil acidity, and a decrease of the content of exchangeable bases. These processes were slowed down by the application of organic fertilizers. Agrochemical parameters of meadow-chernozemic and floodplain meadow (Fluvic Phaeozems (Loamic, Aric, Oxyaquic)) soils of Amur oblast (Russia) and the Heilongjiang border province (China) were compared.     

Lability of soil organic carbon in tropical soils with different clay minerals

Soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and turnover is influenced by interactions between organic matter and the mineral soil fraction. However, the influence of clay content and type on SOC turnover rates remains unclear, particularly in tropical soils under natural vegetation. We examined the lability of SOC in tropical soils with contrasting clay mineralogy (kaolinite, smectite, allophane and Al-rich chlorite). Soil was sampled from A horizons at six sites in humid tropical areas of Ghana, Malaysian Borneo and the Solomon Islands and separated into fractions above and below 250 μm by wet sieving. Basal soil respiration rates were determined from bulk soils and soil fractions. Substrate induced respiration rates were determined from soil fractions. SOC lability was significantly influenced by clay mineralogy, but not by clay content when compared across contrasting clay minerals. The lability of SOC was lowest in the allophanic and chloritic soil, higher in the kaolinitic soils and highest in the smectitic soil. Our results contrast with conventional concepts of the greater capacity of smectite than of kaolinite to stabilize SOC. Contents of dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate extractable Fe and Al were inversely related to SOC lability when compared across soil types. A stronger inverse correlation between content of ammonium-oxalate extractable Fe and SOC lability was found when considering the kaolinitic soils only and we conclude that the content of active Fe (hydr-) oxides controls SOC stabilization in the kaolinitic soils. Our results suggest that the validity of predictive models of SOC turnover in tropical soils would be improved by the inclusion of soil types and contents of Fe and Al (hydr-) oxides.     

Differentiation of layered silicates and biogenic silica in meadow podbel soils of the Central Amur Lowland

Mineralogy of the fine component of meadow podbel soil in the Central Amur Lowland significantly varies depending on texture differentiation within the profile and clay categories with different binding strengths (water-peptized and aggregated clay). In the eluvial part of the profile, hydromicas are predominant, which are accompanied by kaolinite and mica-smectites with a low content of smectite layers; there are many finely dispersed quartz and feldspars; plagioclases are less abundant. The illuvial part of the profile is characterized by a high content of smectite minerals (mica-smectite and kaolinite-smectite interstratifications). Kaolinite, chlorite, and chlorite-vermiculite are also found. Fragmentary components pass into a peptized state: micas-hydromicas, kaolinite, finely dispersed quartz, feldspars, plagioclases, amphiboles, and diatom skeletons (mainly in the illuvial part of the profile). Aggregated clays are characterized by a high content of interstratifications with smectite layers. The mineral composition of two clay categories is strongly differentiated according to eluvial-illuvial type. The bulk chemical composition confirms the textural differentiation of the finely dispersed component within the profile. The chemistry of silty sand cutans on the faces of structural units in the illuvial part of the profile significantly differs from the chemistry of the enclosing horizon and is analogous to that of the eluvial part of the profile. The involvement of silica in the meadow podbel fractions with different binding strengths has been revealed.     

Mineralogical composition of the clay fraction and micromorphology of the Middle and Late Pleistocene loesses and paleosols in the center of the East European Plain

The mineralogical composition of the clay fraction and microfabrics of the cryogenic soil-loess sequences of the Middle and Late Pleistocene ages have been studied near the northern boundary of loess sediments on the East European Plain. Poorly ordered mixed-layered mica-smectitic minerals with different portions of smectitic layers predominate in the clay fraction; di-and trioctahedral hydromicas occupy the second place. The clay fraction also contains chlorite, clay-size quartz grains, and feldspars. Individual smectite is present in some of the samples. Interstadial chernozem-like paleosols are specified by the higher content of clay, the maximum concentration of smectitic layers in the mixed-layered minerals, and the presence of individual smectite. The clay fraction in the profiles of interglacial paleosols is sharply differentiated: in the eluvial part, it is depleted of smectite and enriched in kaolinite, hydromica, and clay-size quartz. These features allow us to suppose that interglacial paleosols were subjected to podzolization processes. According to the mineralogical indices, Middle Pleistocene paleosols can be differentiated into those subjected to lessivage (the Kamenskii interglacial paleosol) and podzolization (the Inzhavin interglacial paleosol).     

Quantitative Mineralbestimmung in der Schlufffraktion von Böden auf der Grundlage der chemischen Analyse und unter Anwendung der Karl-Fischer-Titration. I. Verfahren

Quantitative estimation of the mineralogical composition of silt fractions of soils based on both, chemical analysis and application of Karl-Fischer-titration. I. Method This paper describes a method for calculating the mineralogical composition of the silt fractions of soils. The chemical analysis and the temperature dependence of water release are used for determining micas and feldspars, each in three components in a relatively short procedure. The release of water was measured by Karl-Fischer-titration at controlled temperatures. At temperatures above 550°C the water release of the particle size fractions correlates with their content of micas. The quantity of micas can be obtained from the amount of released water and the results of the chemical analysis. The influence of kaolinite, amphibole and the fluoride content on the calculation is described. By considering the potassium content of the mica fraction results of the chemical analysis are used to quantify feldspars.