中国土壤颗粒研究 Ⅲ.赣中丘陵旱地红壤及其各级颗粒的理化特性

赣中丘陵第四纪红色粘土上发育的旱地红壤中粘土矿物的细粘粒(<0.001毫米)部分以高岭石和蛭石为主,并有一定量的水云母和夹层矿物。各级颗粒的化学组成中,随颗粒由粗到细,SiO₂的含量大体上也由高到低;Fe₂O₃的含量则是砂粒级稍稍超过粉粒级,后一情况与作者过去对太湖地区两种水稻土(白土和黄泥土)研究的结果相似。供试红壤粒径<0.005毫米的颗粒才显示抗压强度,而上述水稻土从<0.05毫米的颗粒就开始有抗压强度。同前所试水稻土一样,在供试红壤中,粒径<0.002毫米的颗粒开始表现出可塑性及膨胀性。     

尼日利亚热带雨林地区的内陆山谷中土壤发育和肥力特征: 矿物成分和粒度分布

The particle-size distribution and mineralogical composition of the clay (< 2 μm) and fine-sand (0.25--0.10 mm) fractions in soils of two inland valleys in Abakaliki and Bende, Southeast Nigeria, were investigated to provide basic information on soil-forming processes and agricultural potentials. These soils were silty or clayey, deriving from Cretaceous or Tertiary shale materials. The particle-size distribution and its computation on a clay-free basis revealed relatively remarkable lithologic breaks in a couple of pedons. The effect of lithologic discontinuities on soil mineralogical composition was not, however, conspicuous. Petrographic investigation revealed that quartz predominantly comprised the fine-sand fraction in the soils at both study sites. Nevertheless, the clay mineralogical composition of the soils was a mixture of kaolinite, irregularly interstratified smectite-illite intergrades (S/I), hydroxyl-Al interlayered 2:1 type clays (HICs), vermiculite, smectite, halloysite and illite along with fine-sized quartz in Abakaliki. The soils of Bende predominantly contained smectite, which was partially interlayered with hydroxyl-Al and kaolinite. It is suggested that seasonal floodwater has slowed the disintegration of weatherable clay minerals inherited from the shale, while quartz originating from the sandstone is predominant in the fine-sand fraction. Additionally, a possible soil-forming process observed at the both study sites was ferrolysis, which was indicated by a clear decreasing pattern of HICs downward in the soil profiles. The entry of S/I and vertical distribution patterns for a couple of clay minerals in the pedon suggested that the soils in Abakaliki have developed under the significant influence of aeolian dust delivered by the harmattan. The findings might describe a site-specific deposition pattern of harmattan dusts as well as hydromorphic soil-forming processes in the wetlands of the inland valleys.     

中国土壤颗粒研究 Ⅱ.太湖地区黄泥土型水稻土及其各级颗粒的理化特性

对太湖平原地区高产的黄泥土型水稻土的全土(<1毫米)及7个粒级(1—0.25,0.25—0.05,0.05—0.01,0.01—0.005,0.005—0.002,0.002—0.001和<0.001毫米)共8个土样,进行测定。结果表明:黄泥土粘粒部分(<0.002毫米)的粘土矿物,主要由水云母、高岭和蒙脱组成。粗粘粒级(0.002—0.001毫米)和细粘粒级(<0.001毫米)中粘土矿物的分配有明显差异;砂粒级(1—0.05毫米)中除了主要的石英外,还含有少量“铁锰砂”,所以该粒级中的SiO₂含量较粉粒级(0.05—0.002毫米)的低,而Fe₂O₃的含量则相反,容积磁化率也较高;可塑性和膨胀性都是在<0.002毫米时才始现。上述特点与作者过去所研究的白土型水稻土类似。但是,与国内外报道的几种旱地土壤的资料有所不同。     

Distribution and development of sclerotium grains as influenced by aluminum status in volcanic ash soils

Granulometric and clay mineralogical analyses were performed on soil types differing in their genesis which had been formed on the raised coral limestone terraces and plateaux under the perhumid subtropical maritime climate of the Ryukyu Islands. The amount of clay fraction in Rendzina-like soil on the lower terrace was relatively small (8-34%) and decreased with depth, while those in Terra fusca-like soils on the middle terraces and in Terra rossa-like soil on the plateau were very large (45–78%) suggesting the occurrence of clay migration.

Rendzina-like soil mainly contained illite and metahalloysite with a moderate amount of mixed layered mineral consisting of illite and vermiculite, and a small amount of vermiculite, Al-vermiculite, goethite, and quartz. Clay mineral composition of Terra fusca-like and Mottled Terra fusca-like soils was similar to that of Rendzina-like soil except that the content of illite was lower in these soils. Terra rossa-like soil, on the other hand, mainly contained Al-vermiculite, metahalloysite, and gibbsite, indicating a highly advanced stage of hydroxyaluminium interlayering. Differences in clay mineral composition from that of Rendzina, Terra fusca, and Terra rossa soils in the European countries were recognized, in that mont-morillonite was absent and hydroxyaluminium interlayering actively proceeded in the soils studied here. This finding is considered to reflect the rapid alteration and intense hydroxyaluminium interlayering of clay minerals under the perhumid subtropical conditions.     

Clay mineral composition of some volcanogenous soils in Indonesia and the Philippines

Clay fractions of three Andosols and a Latosol occurring in Indonesia, and two Alluvial Soils derived from pyroclastic sediments in the Philippines were examined by means of chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The results are summarized as follows.

Allophane is a dominant clay mineral of young volcanogenous soils occurring in the tropics. Small amounts of halloysite, gibbsite, and imogolite are also found in some of the young volcanogenous soils. Halloysite and imogolite are relatively abundant in the surface soil, while gibbsite is more abundant in the subsoil. In the clay fraction of the young volcanogenous soils in the tropics, α-cristobalite is often present, but quartz occurs rarely. Small amounts of feldspars are also present in the Philippine soils. 2 : 1-type minerals are found to a small extent in some of the sample soils. The above results agree well with the results for Japanese Andosols, except for a difference in the primary mineral composition.     

海南岛琼山热带土壤中重金属分布和矿物特征的关系

本文探讨了海南岛玄武岩上发育的热带地球化学景观中土壤重金属与机械组成,矿物成分和矿物组合之间的关系。结果表明,砖红壤粘粒并不富集重金属元素,这与砖红壤各粒级矿物分布特征有关,在其粉粒级和砂粒级中有大量氧化铁矿物,面粘粒级中主要是高岭石和三水铝矿。此外,水稻土随粒径变大,重金属含量减少,这同水稻土随粒径增大,粘土矿物迅速减少,长石、石英增多有关。这和一般土壤重金属在不同粒级中分布规律相符合。     

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.     

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.     

豫北第四纪沉积物的矿物特征

豫北平原属于黄淮海平原的一部分,位于太行山洪积-冲积扇以东的黄河、漳河之间,是河南新乡和安阳两地区的主要粮棉产地。豫北平原除部分地区是黄土缓丘和山前洪积冲积物外,大部分由黄河、漳河、沁河等现代河流沉积物所组成,其中沁河沉积物、黄土、次生黄土分布在豫北平原西部,漳河沉积物分布在豫北平原北部,而中部和东部则为大面积的黄河河流沉积物。为配合黄淮海平原中豫北平原的治理及南水北调工程中线的选线间题,我们曾对豫北地区各种沉积物上所发育的土壤进行分析,有关华北平原的土壤已有详细专著(熊毅等1965),本文仅就豫北平原地区土壤的矿物性质作简要讨论。     

The behavior of the clay fraction in model ecosystems of soil lysimeters

Changes in the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction (<0.001 mm) sampled from soils of the model lysimetric experiment of Moscow State University have been studied. The mineralogical composition of clay is represented by the paragenetic association of minerals typical of noncalcareous mantle loams in the center of the Russian Plain. The predominant smectitic phase consists of complex mixed-layered minerals (mica-smectite with high and low contents of the smectitic layers, chlorite-smectite with different ratios between the chloritic and smectitic layers) and individual smectites. Tri-and dioctahedral hydromica, kaolinite, chlorite, and clay-sized quartz are present in lower amounts. At the early stages of the experiment, the distribution of the smectitic phase in the soil profile is more contrasting than the distribution of the clay fraction. Under the impact of artificially planted meadows, forests, and agrocenoses, soil profiles with different distribution patterns of the clay fraction are formed. The weakly pronounced eluvial distribution pattern of the clay fraction has been registered. Under spruce and mixed stands, the loss of the clay fraction from the upper horizons is due to the hydrolysis of smectitic minerals in the acidified medium. Under broad-leaved stands, perennial herbs, agroecenoses, and fallow, the depletion of smectites from the upper horizons is due to lessivage. The relative accumulation of hydromica and kaolinite is observed in the uppermost soil layer.     

Amount and composition of clay-associated soil organic matter in a range of kaolinitic and smectitic soils

In the global carbon cycle, soil organic matter (SOM) is a major source/sink of atmospheric carbon. Clay minerals stabilize part of the SOM through mineral–organic matter binding. Stabilization of organic matter is essential for tropical soils. Since the climatic conditions of the tropics favor decomposition of organic matter, tropical soils would be very poor in organic matter without this stabilization process. This research aims at determining the effect of clay mineralogy on the amount and composition of organic matter that is bound to the mineral surface. We focused on organic matter that is associated with kaolinite and smectite. We characterized kaolinite- and smectite-associated SOM in soils from seven countries, employing ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and Py-GC/MS. The content of carbon in the total clay-size fraction showed no significant difference between kaolinitic and smectitic soils. This suggests that the total amount of organic carbon in the clay-size fraction is independent of the clay mineralogy. We first extracted the clay fraction with NaOH and thereafter with Na₄P₂O₇. About half of the kaolinite-associated SOM was extractable by NaOH. In the smectitic soils, pyrophosphate extracted more organic carbon than did NaOH. The Py-GC/MS and NMR results indicate that kaolinite-associated SOM is enriched in polysaccharide products, while smectite-associated organic matter contains many aromatic compounds. We suggest that different clay minerals use different binding mechanisms to complex SOM. As a result, the composition of clay-associated organic matter would be influenced by the type of clay that is dominantly present in the soil.     

Wechselwirkungen von Mikroorganismen und Tonmineralen-eine Übersicht

Relationships Between Soil Microorganisms and Clay Minerals-a Review Clay minerals belong to the most important environmental factors in soils, influencing the composition and metabolic activity of soil microflora. Their influence on bacteria, actinomycetes and microscopic fungi is very complex and includes trophogenic relationships, cation exchange capacity, sorptive activity, osmotic and other physico-chemical effects in microbial environments. In this review, different effects of clay minerals on soil microorganisms and also the influence of microorganisms on the clay minerals are briefly discussed.     

Amorphous clay materials of towada ando soils

Towada Ando soils consisted of five soils—Towada-a (1,000 years old), Towada-b (2,000 years old), Chuseri (4,000 years old), Nanbu (8,600 years old), and Ninokura soils (10,000 years Amorphous clay materials of these soils taken at different localities were studied by the combined use of selective dissolution and differential infrared spectroscopy, X-ray analysis, electron microscopy, etc.

The main clay minerals of Towada-a soils, present-day soils, were montmorillonite-vermic-ulite chloritic intergrades and opaline silica, or these minerals and allophane in the humus horizons, and allophane in the non-humus ones. Towada-b soils overlain by the Towada-a soils showed the clay mineralogical constituents similar to those of Towada-a soils. However, allophane was one of the main clay minerals in all the humus horizons as well as non-humus ones. The main clay minerals of Chuseri soils were allophane and layer silicates consisting chiefly of chloritic intergrades and chlorite in the humus horizons, and allophane in the non-humus ones. Opaline silica was present in minor amounts in the humus horizons of Chuseri soils, but nearly absent in Nanbu and Ninokura soils.

There were remarkable differences in the clay mineralogical composition of Nanbu and Ninokura soils with differences of their environmental conditions. Allophane and imogolite Were dominant in the clay fractions of both humus and non-humus horizons of very shallowly buried Nanbu soil which was subjected to the strong leaching process. Allophane was the main clay mineral of deeply buried Nanbu and Ninokura soils which showed the absence of notable accumulation of bases and silica. On the contrary, halloysite with a small amount of siliceous amorphous material appeared in very deeply buried Nanbu and Ninokura soils where bases and silica were distinctly accumulated. The amounts of halloysite in the clay fractions were larger in the humus horizons than non-humus ones, and in Ninokura soil than Nanbu soil.

Soil age, soil organic matter, and depositional overburden of tephras were observed to be conspicuous among various factors relating to the weathering of amorphous clay materials in Towada Ando 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.     

Composition of clay minerals and their pedogenetic and taxonomic implications for Stagnic Anthrosols derived from different parent materials in Hunan Province,China

Purpose

The aims of this study were to investigate the composition of clay minerals in soils derived from different parent materials and to elucidate how parent materials and pedogenic environment affect the distribution of clay minerals and reveal the implications for pedogenetics and taxonomy in Stagnic Anthrosols.

Materials and methods

Clay mineralogy and physicochemical properties of the Hydragric horizon of Stagnic Anthrosols derived from granite (GR), plate shale (PS), quaternary red clays (QRC), limestone (LS), purple sandy shale (PSS) and fluvial-lacustrine deposit (FLD) located in Hunan Province of China were analysed to explore the relationships between the conditions influencing the formation of the soil and the composition of clay minerals.

Results and discussion

Results indicated that the composition of clay minerals is closely related to both parent material and type of Stagnic Anthrosols: the soils derived from GR, PS and QRC, which are mostly classified as Fe-accumulic-Stagnic Anthrosols, are dominantly 1:1 type kaolinite and vermiculite and illite/vermiculite mixed layer minerals of widespread distribution. However, soils derived from LS, PSS and FLD were mainly classified as Hapli-Stagnic Anthrosols and are mainly composed of 2:1 type illite/smectite mixed layer minerals, where chlorite is commonly found. Illite is widely distributed and its content varies the least among different parent materials. An extremely significant relationship between pH and kaolinite, chlorite and mixed layer minerals was noted, and the two kinds of mixed layer minerals showed highly significant negative correlation.

Conclusions

This study revealed that the types and quantities of clay minerals in the soil are closely related to the types of parent material. This reflected better direction and degree of development in Stagnic Anthrosols, which is related to the physicochemical properties of parent material and can be used as one of the bases for the classification of soil groups and subgroups within the soil family for Stagnic Anthrosols in Chinese Soil Taxonomy.

     

Unterschiede von Toneigenschaften in Tonstein der fränkischen Lias- und Doggerlandschaften und ihren Böden

Distinctions of Clay Properties in Claystone of the Franconian Lias-and Doggerlandscape and Their Soils Pelosols and Pseudogleys derived from the sediments of the Amaltheen Clay (lias δ), Posidonia Shale (lias δ) and Opalinus Clay (dogger æ) formations in the forelands of the Alb Mountains in Franconia were separated using 16 properties (seven textural and nine chemical properties, the latter of which indicate clay specific properties). Multivariate discriminant analysis was able to distinguish sediments from sediments, sediments from soils and soils from soils. Eight properties were important for discriminating the samples into several groups. Properties with the greatest discriminating quality were the effective buffering capacity for K (BCKe in mval/100 g soil and 100 g clay/M^1/2), the K-fixation (mg K/100 g soil and clay), and the labile K (mval K/100 g soil). The mobile K (ARo in M^1/2) was also an important property. The Pseudogleys were most significantly separated from the Amaltheen Clay and Opalinus Clay sediments. Furthermore, the Pelosols could be significantly separated from Amaltheen Clay and Opalinus Clay on one side and Posidonia Shale on the other. The statistically significant increase of the BCKe and the decrease of ARo as well as some X-ray diagrams suggest that in Pseudogleys derived from Amaltheen Clay and Opalinus Clay and in Pelosols derived from Posidonia Shale expandable forms of 2 : 1 minerals were formed from 10 A-minerals.     

解钾细菌与黏土矿物协同促进玉米生长提高土壤养分有效性

为了揭示解钾细菌在西北矿区浅埋古河道土壤中对植物生长和土壤养分利用的影响,通过日光温室短期盆栽的方式,以不同黏土矿物配比的人工培土为基质模拟古河道不同质地土壤,以西北地区常见农作物玉米为宿主,研究解钾细菌在人工培土基质中的微生物数量变化规律,以及二者协同作用对玉米生长和矿质养分吸收的影响。结果表明:1)土壤黏土矿物含量增大有利于提高土壤解钾细菌数量,促进微生物活性。当黏土矿物质量分数为68%,速效钾质量分数约170 mg/kg时,解钾细菌数量最大;2)玉米地上部分干质量、根冠比、根系活力随黏土矿物含量增大而增大,以解钾细菌作用下黏土矿物质量分数68%的玉米生长效果最佳;3)在解钾细菌作用下,植物氮磷钾积累量和土壤养分利用的最佳土壤黏土矿物质量分数为45%、68%和75%,土壤钾素、氮素和磷素最大利用率分别达到65%、53%和17%;4)解钾细菌在土壤钾素含量低时促进土壤磷素吸收,土壤钾素过量时,促进土壤氮磷钾的吸收,提高土壤养分利用率。因此,土壤黏土矿物与解钾细菌相互作用,而且积极影响植物生长和土壤养分的吸收利用,这对进一步探寻适合矿区浅埋古河道土壤的微生物复垦技术,深入改良和开发矿区退化土壤具有重要意义。     

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...     

土壤电化学性质的研究——Ⅹ.红壤胶体的表面性状和离子专性吸附对表面电荷性质的影响

根据可变电荷和永久电荷共存的土壤体系的模式,研究了一个砖红壤和一个红壤胶体的表面电荷特性。由于两种土壤胶体的矿物成分和铁铝氧化物的含量不同,砖红壤胶体的pH。值、ZPNC和IEP都高于红壤胶体者。红壤胶体的永久负电荷量多,其pH₀与ZPNC的差值也大。土壤加3%的有机质淹水培育4个月后,胶体的腐殖质含量增加不足0.5%,对胶体的pH₀的影响不明显。砖红壤胶体用磷酸盐或硅酸盐处理后,表面正电荷减少,负电荷增多,pH₀值和IEP都降低。磷酸盐的效应较硅酸盐为甚。不同浓度的KCl溶液中存在少量SO₄^2-时,砖红壤胶体的正电荷减少,负电荷增加,ZPNC和pH₀值降低;如存在少量Ca²⁺,则pH₀值升高。以单一的K₂SO₄、为支持电解质时,pH₀值较KCl者为高。     

The impact of long-term irrigation on the degree of aggregation and the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction in dark chestnut soils of the Transvolga region

Dark chestnut soils of the Ershov Experimental Station in the Transvolga region are characterized by the even distribution and aggregation of clay minerals in the profile. Hydromica, chlorite, kaolinite, and smectitic minerals predominate in the clay (<1 μm) fraction. The smectitic phase consists of randomly ordered mixed-layered minerals of the following types: mica-smectite with a low (<50%) content of smectite layers, mica-smectite with a high (>50%) content of smectite layers, and chlorite-smectite. In some horizons, the smectitic phase occurs in the superdispersed state. The long-term irrigation of these soils with fresh water of the Volga River has led to certain changes in the composition and properties of the clay particles. The weakening of bonds between them has taken place. As a result, the content of water-peptizable clay has increased by two times, and the content of aggregated clay of the first category (AC1) has increased by 1.5 times at the expense of a decrease in the contents of tightly bound clay (TBC) and aggregated clay of the second category (AC2). Also, the redistribution of organic matter bound with clay particles has taken place: its content in the AC1 fraction has decreased, whereas its content in the AC2 and TBC fractions has increased. In the topsoil horizon, the amount of the smectitic phase has lowered, whereas the contents of hydromica, kaolinite, and fine-dispersed quartz in the clay fraction have increased. In general, some amorphization of the clay material has occurred. The periodic alkalization of the soil solutions upon irrigation has led to the conversion of the smectitic phase into the superdispersed state in the entire soil profile.