A MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME VERTISOLS IN THE GEZIRA AND THE KENANA CLAY PLAINS OF THE SUDAN

Examination of the clay fraction of the Gezira and Kenana soils of the Sudan revealed montmorillonite as the dominant clay mineral, accompanied by kaolinite. The presence of illite and vermiculite is questionable. Quartz was found as an accessory mineral. Most of the kaolinite is concentrated in the ‘coarse clay’ (2–0.2 μm), whereas more than 90 per cent of the ‘fine clay’ consists of montmorillonite.     

风化对土壤粒级中磷素形态转化及其有效性的影响

土壤风化程度经常与地带性土壤的磷素存在形态相关,这已为国内外的一些研究工作所证实,但对土壤不同粒级中磷形态的影响,迄今仍研究较少.在五十年代,Williams,E.G.和Saunders,W.M.H.曾测定了土壤不同粒级中的全磷、无机磷和有机磷含量,并指出在所有供试土壤中,无论是无机磷或有机磷,粘粒部分的相对含量都高于砂粒部分.     

FIELD STUDIES OF THE SOIL ATMOSPHERE

A study was made of the concentrations of ethylene and oxygen in the soil atmosphere under field conditions at three contrasting sites. The duration of the experiments ranged from 6 weeks to 9 months. A clear relationship between high moisture content and both the production of ethylene and the depression of oxygen levels was found in a sandy loam, although there was great variability between replicate sampling points. Concentrations of oxygen in a heavy clay soil remained below 10 per cent (v/v) throughout the winter and spring, followed by a gradual rise to near-atmospheric levels. Concentrations of ethylene were not correlated with those of oxygen, except in the winter, but rose logarithmically with soil temperature during the spring, increasing by twenty times over the range 4-1 I °C. There was no significant difference between plots which had been subjected to different drainage treatments, and again there was great variability from point to point. In a more permeable clay soil, however, the levels of oxygen were higher, and were related to the proximity to drains and the height of the water table, but not to the levels of ethylene. The concentration of ethylene showed a similar logarithmic increase with temperature to that observed in the heavy clay, and exceeded I ppm throughout the period May-July. The factors which have the greatest influence on the concentrations of ethylene in the soil were considered to be temperature, depression of oxygen concentration, the availability of substrates for microbial activity and the effect of soil moisture content on the air-filled porosity of the soil. Concentrations of ethylene greatly in excess of those which, under some circumstances, inhibit root growth, are likely to be of widespread occurrence in heavy soils during the spring and early summer and in light soils when unusually wet.     

THE INFLUENCE OF IRON AND ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDES ON THE SWELLING OF Na-MONTMORILLONITE AND THE PERMEABILITY OF A Na-SOIL

Hydroxy Fe and A1 interlayers reduce the swelling of Na-montmorillonite in NaCl solutions. A deposit of sesquioxide round an aggregate or orientated flake of clay restricts swelling until the sesquioxide coating is broken by the swelling pressure of the clay. A1 is more effective than Fe. The effect of sesquioxides on the permeability to NaCl solutions of an alkali soil depends on the control of clay swelling in a manner expected from the above results. A sesquioxide coating round a soil aggregate stabilizes the structure until the coating is broken by the swelling pressure of the clay in the aggregate.     

MEASUREMENT OF THE MOBILITY OF SOIL COLLOIDS

A method is described for measuring the relative mobility (RM) of colloidal suspensions. It was used to assess the potential mobility of clay in the horizons of 12 profiles from Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil and India. The colloid from surface horizons of soil was always more mobile than that from deeper layers. The values of relative mobility differed between profiles and appeared to give a useful indication of potential clay migration under natural conditions.     

THE ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT OF THE SAVANNA SOILS OF WEST AFRICA

Published and unpublished data on the amounts of organic matter and nitrogen in the surface soils of the West African savanna are reviewed. In general, amounts are small; the mean carbon content of soils from 605 well-drained sites was 0.68 per cent. Two important factors governing amounts of organic matter in well-drained soils appear to be the clay content and a moisture factor related to the length of the wet season and represented here by mean annual rainfall. Multiple linear regression on soil clay content and rainfall accounted for 46.5 per cent and 57.2 per cent, respectively, of the observed variability of soil carbon and nitrogen contents. These findings suggest that the low levels of organic matter in savanna soils arise from their predominantly sandy nature and from the relatively low rainfall. In poorly drained soils organic matter levels are higher but are less significantly related to clay content and rainfall. The influence of human interference and of parent material and altitude on organic matter is demonstrated in the context of geographically limited areas within the savanna for which more detailed information was available.     

THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLAY-WITH-FLINTS AND ASSOCIATED SOIL HORIZONS ON THE SOUTH DOWNS

Clay-with-flints rests on remnants of the exhumed sub-Eocene surface, which is shown to be an important geomorphological feature of the West Sussex Downs. Mineralogical and other soil profile studies indicate that the deposit has developed by the action of cryoturbation and soil-forming processes on a thin cover of Reading Beds clay left on the sub-Eocene surface during the southward recession of a small Eocene escarpment. Two horizons corresponding to Clay-with-flints sensu stricto of Loveday (1962) are recognized. The basal horizon is composed partly of insoluble Chalk residue, but mainly of clay moved down from overlying horizons into the spaces left on dissolution of the Chalk at the junction of the Chalk with the base of the Clay-with-flints. The upper horizon is composed of material from weathered remnants of Reading Beds clay, thoroughly mixed by cryoturbation with flints, other insoluble Chalk residue and clay from former basal horizons. The surface horizons of the soils often include additions of loess.     

THE EFFECT OF THE CONCENTRATION AND MOVEMENT OF SOLUTIONS ON THE SWELLING, DISPERSION, AND MOVEMENT OF CLAY IN SALINE AND ALKALI SOILS

Changes in permeability of a soil containing montmorillonite, and the swelling of orientated aggregates of extracted clay have been measured for a range of exchangeable sodium percentages and electrolyte concentrations. The concentrations at which clay moved out of the soil in the percolates have been found and compared with the concentrations at which aggregates dispersed in stationary solutions, and the concentrations at which soil suspensions dispersed when shaken. The results indicate that: (a) permeability begins to decrease at the same concentration as the clay begins to swell, (b) the changes in permeability are directly controlled by the swelling of clay until clay dispersion and movement begins, (c) the concentration at which clay disperses depends on the mechanical stress applied, (d) when small mechanical stresses are applied, the proportion of the clay which swells and disperses depends directly on the exchangeable sodium percentage, and (e) large mechanical stresses may disperse most of the clay even at low exchangeable sodium percentages.     

MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION OF ELUVIATION-ILLUVIATION PROCESSES AND THE COMPUTATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CLAY MIGRATION IN HOMOGENEOUS SOIL PARENT MATERIALS

Clay movement and its effect on the differences in texture between the A and B horizons are expressed by mathematical equations. The factors which are considered are the actual amount of clay which has moved (l), the ratio of the thick nesses of the horizons (N), and the original clay content (C). Parent materials are assumed to be homogeneous. Knowing the clay contents of the A and B horizons, it is possible to calculate for given N ratios the theoretical amount of clay which has moved in order to achieve the observed textural difference. The theoretical clay content C'of the parent material can also be computed. All computations assume homogeneous parent materials and closed profiles, i.e. materials that do not collapse, shrink, or swell, and consider all other clay transformations non-operative. An eluviations index k, which indicates the proportion of the original clay that has been translocated, is proposed for evaluating the intensity of clay migration. Examples of practical applications are given: i.e. the required difference in clay content between A and B in the definition of the argillic horizon should not be kept constant in soils which have variable initial clay contents; graphs illustrate the effects of clay migration for constant C and k values (isoparentic and isoluvic lines). All computations can be made by desk calculators provided with an extended memory for storage of data and programmes.     

THE MINERALOGY OF THE CLAY FRACTION FROM BASALTIC SOILS IN THE GALILEE, ISRAEL

The mineralogy of the clay fraction from basaltic soils in the Galilee, Israel, has been studied by X-ray and differential thermal analysis techniques, supplemented by electron-micrographs and chemical determinations. The mineralogical composition of the clay was greatly influenced by the amount of rainfall. In SE Galilee, where rainfall is 400–550 mm/annum, the dominant clay mineral is montmorillonite, with kaolinite as the second most important component. With increasing rainfall the amount of montmorillonite in the clay falls, and the amount of amorphous oxides of Fe and Al increases. In N and NE Galilee, rainfall is 550–700 mm/annum and the major part of the clay is composed of kaolinite or halloysite, quartz, and amorphous oxides of Fe and Al. The decrease in the amount of montmorillonite with increasing rainfall is explained by decomposition to kaolinite and amorphous oxides.     

蒸发条件下粘土层对土壤水和溶质运移影响的模拟

以土壤水和溶质运移的动力学原理为基础 ,采用数值模拟方法 ,研究了在浅层地下水和蒸发条件下含有粘土层土壤的水和Cl-的运移状况 ,重点探讨了两种粘土的层位和层厚对水和Cl-运移影响的差别及原因。研究结果表明 ,粘土层对土壤的水和溶质运移影响的程度 ,与层状土壤中该粘土及其组合土壤的水力学性质有关。本文模拟的重粘土 (简称Y粘土 )与轻壤土所组成的层状土壤 ,其基本情况为 ,随粘土层层位的升高和层厚加大 ,土壤水分蒸发和地下水补给速率降低 ,Cl-积累减少。而轻粘土 (简称R粘土 )与轻壤土所组成的层状土壤 ,由于它们的导水率曲线在压力水头h约 - 10 0 0cm处相交 ,当h低于此值时 ,R粘土的导水率就大于轻壤土的。因此 ,蒸发、补给速率和Cl-积累强度出现以顶位最高 ,甚至高于均质轻壤土 ,其次为底位 ,最低为中部层位的现象。在蒸发条件下Cl-在剖面中的积聚部位主要是土表。粘土层的存在 ,起到了阻滞作用 ,而阻滞程度则与该粘土水力学性质、层位、厚度和地下水埋深有关     

辽西褐土的细粒矿物组成

辽宁省西部是低山丘陵区,年平均温度7.1℃,年平均降雨量400—500毫米,降雨集中在夏季,具有明显的大陆性气候特征,干燥度小于1,属半干旱类型.植被为油松柞木和草原灌木丛林.土壤属棕色森林土向栗钙土过渡的褐土地带.母质主要为花岗片麻岩风化物.山麓缓坡和河谷两岸为黄土丘陵.在黄土沉积物覆盖层下,常见红色风化壳露头,即红色粘土层.此外,并有松软易风化岩层,如砂岩、页岩和变质岩等.本区近百年来,由于自然植被受到严重破坏,大量水土流失,土壤侵蚀严重,土壤有机质含量低,成为辽宁省的低产区.因此,鉴定本区不同母质的土壤矿物胶体组成及其特征,不仅可以研究这一特定自然条件下土壤矿物的转化和形成,并且有助于了解土壤特性和肥力特征.     

几种土壤的VA菌根效应及其应用前景

本文用测定土壤中土著VA菌根真菌自然侵染势的方法,研究了黄淮海地区几种类型的潮土和发育于不同母质的红壤中菌根菌的侵染速率和最高侵染率,对通过接种菌根菌产生效益的可能性进行了预测。对影响菌根菌侵染的某些因素及植物对菌根的依赖性等也进行了试验研究。结果表明,在侵染有迟后现象的土壤上选种对菌根依赖性高的植物,通过接种菌根菌可以提高对磷的利用率,增加生长量。     

A COMPARISON OF FIELD ESTIMATES AND LABORATORY ANALYSES OF THE SILT AND CLAY CONTENTS OF SOME WEST MIDLAND SOILS

Field estimates of silt and clay contents were compared statistically with the silt (2-60 μm) and clay (<2 μm) contents determined by the pipette method of 184 soil horizons from a large range of west Midland soils (clay contents 1–81 per cent and silt contents 3–71 per cent). Regression equations were calculated (a) for each of four surveyors using combined topsoil and subsoil data and (b) for surface and subsoils separately using combined data for the four surveyors. There is slight evidence of ‘operator bias’ and a tendency for all four surveyors to underestimate clay in surface horizons though these conclusions have limited significance because of the small number and the distribution of some of the sample populations. Single equations for the combined data from all operators and all horizons explained 75.5 per cent of the variation in field estimates of silt content and 85.4 per cent of the variation of clay estimates. For silt, the regression line almost passes through the origin with a slope not significantly different from unity, whilst for clay, the line intercepts the y-axis close to zero and has a slope of 0.904. The results show that, with experience and adequate reference samples, surveyors can confidently estimate the particle-size distribution of a wide range of soils. These studies were done during soil mapping in Staffordshire, Hereford and Worcester, and Salop using the newly introduced soil classification (Avery, 1973) and revised Handbook (Hodgson, 1974) of the Soil Survey of England and Wales.     

鼎湖山土壤有机质深度分布的剖面演化机制

根据鼎湖山森林植被带(SL)、灌丛—草甸过渡带土壤剖面(GC)有机质含量,有机质Δ14C、δ13C值,土壤粘粒含量及孢粉分析结果,研究华南亚热带山地土壤有机质深度分布特征的成因机制。结果表明土壤有机质的深度分布特征与土壤剖面的发育过程密切相关,随深度增大,有机质的来源数量不断减少,而成土时间增加,分解作用导致的有机质含量降低幅度增大,有机质含量不断减少。土壤有机质14C表观年龄随深度增加,土壤有机质δ13C值与有机质含量的深度变化具有明显对应关系,这些都是土壤剖面发育过程中有机质不同更新周期组分呈规律性分解的结果。粘粒的深度分布反映土壤剖面淋滤淀积的特点,表明土壤剖面经受了长期成土风化。土壤剖面的上述特征均为剖面发育过程中不断沉积、不断成土的结果,表明土壤剖面成土演化对于有机质深度分布具有显著制约。     

THE EFFECT OF SOIL COMPOSITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE SHRINKAGE OF SOME CLAYEY BRITISH SOILS

The shrinkage potential of natural clods from a variety of clayey soils was measured and related to their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. It is shown that the most important factors affecting shrinkage are initial bulk density, clay content, organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity of the peroxidised clay, and mica-smectite content on a whole soil basis. Multiple regression equations involving the initial bulk density, clay content, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity accounted for 87 and 82 per cent of the variation in total shrinkage of topsoils and subsoils respectively. Because of restrictions on shrinkage imposed by factors such as climate, crops, ground-water and moisture release characteristics of soils, soils with a high shrinkage potential may not behave very differently to soils with a much lower potential. On these grounds it is concluded that the shrinkage criteria used in US Taxonomy are not applicable in Britain.     

母质对新形成腐殖质的影响

本文研究了在旱地和水田条件下,母质对新形成腐殖质的影响.供试物料为紫云英、绿萍、稻草和水葫芦.结果表明:1.除绿萍外,各物料腐解三年后均已分解较完全.腐解产物的C/有机N值和腐殖质组成均随原始物料而异.2.当植物物料和母质相同时,与水田条件下的相比,旱地条件下的腐解产物的C/有机N值大多较窄,中性糖量较高,六碳糖/五碳糖值较宽,腐殖酸的提取率较高.3.当水分条件和植物物料相同时,与第四纪红色粘土中的相比,下蜀黄土中腐解产物的胡敏酸的C/N值大多较窄,六碳糖/五碳糖值和胡敏酸/富里酸值大多较宽.作者认为,二者中腐殖质组成的差别在一定程度上系由于粘土矿物的组成不同所致.     

THE EFFECT OF SOIL FACTORS ON THE EXTRACTION OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER BY ANHYDROUS FORMIC ACID

Twenty-five soils, having a wide range of organic matter contents, were extracted with anhydrous formic acid containing 10 per cent acetylacetone, and the extracted material precipitated in two fractions with diisopropyl ether. Precipitates comprised from 5.1 to 51.1 per cent of the original soil organic matter, the proportion extracted tending to be greatest from acid soils of fairly high organic matter content and least from neutral or slightly alkaline soils of low organic matter content. Soil clay content appeared to have no effect on the efficiency of organic matter extraction, but was the most important soil factor governing the proportion of the total soil-N extracted. Amounts of N extracted ranged from 10.2 to 57.8 per cent of the original soil N content, extraction efficiency being greatest with soils of low clay content and low pH. There was evidence to suggest that soil clay afforded some protection to N compounds against extraction. The results indicate that formic acid/acetylacetone is most effective with soils in which much of the organic matter is only partly humified.     

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF TWO SOIL CONSTITUENTS INTO ILLUVIAL HORIZONS: APPLICATION TO CLAY RATIOS IN ARGILLIC HORIZONS

The effects of the migration of two soil constituents into illuvial horizons is described by a set of equations. Differential movement of clay fractions during illuviation causes changes in the fine to total clay ratios in A and B horizons. A mathematical model is used for the interpretation of clay fraction data in order to estimate the degree of profile development, the amounts of fine and total clay which have moved, and to determine the original composition of the parent material. No bulk density data of the soil horizons are necessary for the computation. The equations can be programmed on desk calculators. Comparison with measurements on Alfisols in temperate regions was found to be satisfactory.     

COMPARISON OF THE CERAMIC PLATE AND THE PRESSURE MEMBRANE TO DETERMINE THE 15 BAR WATER CONTENT OF SOILS

Volumetric water contents of 17 mineral and 3 peat soils were measured at 15 bar pressure using the ceramic plate and the pressure membrane apparatus. There was no overall significant difference between the results from the two types of apparatus and both ranked the soils in essentially the same order. Although soils of high clay or organic matter content retained up to 13.5% more water on the ceramic plate than on the pressure membrane, available water capacity (AWC) of a clay soil would be decreased by only 1–2%, and that of a peat soil by 3–4%. Due to its greater reliability, the ceramic plate is an acceptable alternative to the pressure membrane when used to determine the 15 bar water content.