Soil micro- and mesopores studied by N2 adsorption and Xe NMR of adsorbed xenon

N₂ adsorption (77 K) was combined with ¹²⁹Xe nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of adsorbed xenon to characterise soil meso- (2–50 nm) and microporosity (<2 nm). Materials from the Alh and Bt horizons of a Luvisol, the Go horizon of a Gleysol and the Bvs horizon of a Podzol were analysed. Additionally, we examined samples obtained by mixing of H₂O₂-treated soil fractions with organic soil material (“soil + organic matter” samples). N₂- specific surface areas (S_BET) and micropore volumes (V_micro) and areas (S_micro) were markedly affected by the presence of iron oxides in soils. Their removal with dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) treatment was accompanied by a significant decrease in S_BET and almost complete disappearance of the micropores. The organic carbon (OC) content decreased by 10–35% after the DCB-procedure showing that a certain proportion of the soil organic matter was extracted together with iron oxides. This may point to a close association between carbon compounds and iron oxides, possibly by incorporation of low molecular weight organic compounds into the phase of iron oxides. Such interactions are expected to contribute to the stabilisation of organic carbon in soils. Indeed, as compared to the top horizon (Alh of Luvisol), a higher proportion of organic matter was co-extracted with iron oxides from the subsurface horizons (Bt of Luvisol, Go of Gleysol) characterised by higher amounts of organic carbon resisting oxidation with H₂O₂. Examination of the mixed “soil + organic matter” samples supports that after addition, organic molecules occupy micropores (evidenced by N₂ adsorption) and narrower mesopores of the mineral matter (evidenced by ¹²⁹Xe NMR).     

Chemistry of pedogenesis in Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains

Five soil pedons–two aquic and two udic Haplustalfs and one petrocalcic Natrustalf–from the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain of Western Uttar Pradesh were investigated to evaluate the pedogenetic processes. Sand/silt ratios indicate that parent material discontinuities are insignificant. Higher K content and lower SiO₂/R₂O₃ ratios of the non-clay fractions in Bt, rather than in the A, horizons suggest maximum weathering at or near the surface.
An almost linear relationship between decrease in molar SiO₂/R₂O₃ and % increase in clay to about 100cm depth in all the pedons, presence of clay argillans in Bt horizons (where % clay, fine/coarse clay ratio and bulk density values are greatest), all indicate that the development of argillic horizons in these soils was due, at least partly, to lessivage of clay. Fe in clay fractions decreases with depth whilst Al increases, but in the fine earth both increase steadily with depth. This, together with crystalline iron concretions in the lower Bt horizons, suggests that in Haplustalfs these horizons are gaining clay by neoformation/ reorganization of illuviated constituents, especially A1₂O₃.     

福建主要土壤的粘粒云母含量和供钾潜力

利用X射线衍射法估算了福建省221个土壤样品中粘粒云母含量并讨论了与粘粒云母含量变化有关的因素。结果表明母质是影响粘粒云母含量的主要因素。海积物、河积物及页岩上发育的土壤粘粒云母含量一般较高;基性岩上发育的土壤粘粒云母含量一般较低。风化度较高的赤红壤、红壤、黄红壤和黄壤等土类的粘粒云母含量一般较低。风化度较低的C层的粘粒云母含量一般较B层和A层高,但异源母质的堆积可以使A层粘粒云母含量高于B层和C层。     

土壤侵蚀作用对黄土高原黏化层鉴定和淋溶土分类的影响

黏化层是淋溶土的首要诊断标准.一般情况下,黏化层是在长期相对稳定的湿润淋溶条件下形成的.但黏化过程很可能因为气候变化和土壤侵蚀作用而被打断.本文以山西土系调查16个淋溶土剖面为研究对象,通过对各剖面黏化层与上覆下伏层、各剖面间的基本特征及其理化性状分析,探索土壤侵蚀作用对黄土高原黏化层鉴定和淋溶土分类的影响.结果 表明...     

Genesis of a Xeralf on feldspathic sandstone, South Australia

A Xeralf on feldspathic sandstone was sampled from a hillslope in the Mount Lofty Ranges in order to study its genesis and, in particular, the origin of the strong texture contrast. Micromorphological study demonstrated that the clay present in void argillans and papules in the B2 horizon accounted for only a small amount of the clay present. Elemental analysis of the whole soil (< 2 mm) and sand, silt and clay fractions showed that there had been considerable weathering of both quartz and microcline, which were the dominant minerals present. Kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral weathering product. Illite appears to be forming from vermiculite in the A horizon. Using zircon as an internal standard, it was shown that elemental losses of SiO₂ and reductions in weight and volume were similar in A and B horizons. Losses of aluminium and potassium were greatest in the A horizon, least in the B3. There has been an absolute increase in the amount of iron. A possible source is iron from heavy mineral bands upslope. It was concluded from the similarity of the quartz particle-size distributions of the A2, B2 and B3 horizons that the intensity of weathering of quartz was the same in A and B horizons. In the case of feldspar (mostly microcline), there is a greater proportion of feldspar in the fine sand and silt fractions of the A2 horizon than in the B horizon. Weathering of feldspar is greatest in the A horizon. The texture profile is principally a function of greater lateral loss of clay from the A horizons compared to the B horizons.     

Phosphate sorption to matrix and fracture wall materials in a Glossaqualf

Phosphate retaining properties of macropore wall materials may influence the extent of phosphate leaching via preferential flow. Phosphate sorption to soil matrix material has been compared with sorption to fracture wall materials consisting of inner iron-oxide depleted albic coatings rimmed by reddish iron-oxide enriched quasicoatings. The latter contains 15 times as much Fe oxide, 2 times as much Al (hydr)oxide and 5–6 times as much total P than the albic material, which represent the most P-depleted material in the profile. Oxalate extractable P (P_o) amounts to of the total P contents of the samples. Smectite predominates in the fracture walls and acid subsoils, but has partly transformed into hydroxy-interlayered smectite (HIS) in the upper limed soil horizons. Langmuir parameters derived from phosphate sorption isotherms show no correlation for sorption to whole soil samples and the corresponding clay fractions. The phosphate sorption capacity at a threshold equilibrium concentration of 10 μM (P_ads^t (10 μM)) is measured as the content of P_o plus the amount of phosphate sorbed during 7 days, and can be related to Al_o+Fe_o: P_ads^t (10 μM)=(0.0404±0.0046)·(Al_o+Fe_o)***+3.569. The P_ads^t (10 μM) values vary between 4 and 14 mmol P kg⁻¹, lowest in the albic fracture walls and highest in the iron enriched quasi-coatings. The sorption capacity of the metal oxide free clay does not appear to correlate with smectite or HIS contents. In total, the clay fraction contributes with about 50% of the whole soil sorption capacity in agreement with 40–60% of the total soil Al_o+Fe_o being present in the clay fraction. At a solution phosphate concentration of 10 μM, the Ap horizon is found to be almost phosphate saturated whereas subsoil horizons including the fractures have phosphate saturations ≤50% and, hence, can strongly sorb P. The low phosphate saturation of fracture walls indicates that they do not act as major sinks of phosphate-rich solutions from topsoil horizons, either due to kinetic constraints, or due to a flow pattern not allowing P-rich solution to percolate fractures.     

Total and carboxyl acidity and methoxyl groups of humic acid preparations of chernozemic soils

Abstract

Alkaline‐soluble, acid‐precipitable organic matter from the Ah and Bm horizons of Chernozemic soils developed on four parent materials in each of three soil zones was analyzed for total and carboxyl acidity, and methoxyl groups. The values are expressed as meq/g dry ash‐free organic matter.

Total acidity generally was higher in the Black Chernozems than in the Brown Chernozems and higher in the Bm horizon than in the Ah horizon. The distribution of carboxyl acidity between the Ah and companion Bm horizons of individual soils appeared to be related to texture and rainfall.

The. methoxyl group content of the Brown Chernozems was larger than that of the .Dark Brown Chernozems, which in turn had a larger methoxyl group content than that of the Black Chernozems. It was concluded that the organic matter in the Ah horizons of the Brown Chernozems was not as humified as that of the Black Chernozems. The pH value and a minimum clay content are possible determining factors as to the amounts of methoxyl carbon present.     

Genesis of soils developed from red-brown clays and loesslike loams in the southwest of the Central Russian plain (the Belogor’e reserve)

Soils developed from the red-brown Neogene clay and the Quaternary loesslike loams have been studied in the south of the forest-steppe zone on the Central Russian Upland. A polygenetic nature of the soil profile on the loesslike loams is shown. The modern pedogenetic processes in this soil ensure its eluvial-illuvial differentiation with the development of multilayered coatings in the illuvial horizon. The soil developed from the Neogene clay has a lower degree of differentiation despite the more acid reaction. The micromorphological study of the coatings and the mineralogical analysis of the clay fraction separated from the coatings and from the intraped mass disclose differences in the geneses of B horizons of the two soils. In the soil developed from the loesslike loam, hydromica predominates among clay minerals of the coatings; in the soil developed from the red-brown clay, smectitic minerals predominate in the clay fraction. Differences in the properties of these two parent materials predetermined differences in the major directions of soil formation: the metamorphic pedogenesis predominates on the red-brown clay, whereas the textural differentiation develops in the soil on the loesslike loam. The middle horizons in the studied soil profiles are referred to as the structural-metamorphic and textural (clay-illuvial) horizons, respectively.     

Phosphorus sorption maxima and desorbability in selected soils with andic properties from the Azores, Portugal

P sorption and desorption capacities were determined on 30 soil horizons (surface and subsurface) of soils with andic properties from the Azores, Portugal, using the Langmuir equation and successive extractions with dilute calcium chloride (CaCl₂), respectively. The proportion of P recovery (Prec) using distilled water (H₂O), CaCl₂, Bray 2 (B2), Mehlich 3 (M3), Egnér–Riehm (ER) and Olsen (OL) extractants was also determined to assess the extent of P release from soils enriched with P at P sorption maxima (Pm). Soils containing very low amounts of organic C and allophane (Vitrandic Haplustepts and Vitrandic Udorthents) showed the lowest values of Pm (48–565 mg kg^− 1) and the highest values of P desorbability (Pdes) (69–100%), indicating that P can be easily lost from these soils. Application of fertilizers to these soils should be restrained in order to minimize eutrophication risk of nearby water bodies. In contrast, allophanic and non-allophanic horizons of Typic Placudands, Alic Hapludands, Acrudoxic Hapludands and Acrudoxic Hydrudands showed much higher values of Pm (2273–52,400 mg kg^− 1) and lower values of Pdes (4–57%).They also showed low proportions of Prec by the used extractants, indicating that large amounts of P can be sorbed in an unavailable form. Thus, these soils may require large amounts of P fertilizers and an efficient method of P application. Other studied soils with high amounts of 1:1 layer silicate minerals and having weak andic properties (Typic and Andic Haplustepts), showed intermediate Pm (1124–8333 mg kg^− 1) and Pdes values (20–63%).

The values of Pm were positively correlated with Al_d, Al_o, allophane, Fe_o, Fe_d and Al_p contents, and with the values of Al_o + 1/2 Fe_o. In contrast, values of Pdes were negatively correlated with these soil constituents. Of the six extractants, the B2 extractant showed generally higher proportions of Prec than the other extractants in most studied soils. The proportions of Prec by the B2, M3, ER and OL extractants were negatively correlated with contents of Fe_o, Fe_d, Al_d, Al_o, Al_p, and Fe_p, and with the values of Al_o + 1/2 Fe_o and PR.     

新集黄土剖面中古土壤初步研究

新集黄土剖面位于陕西扶风县境内渭河第四级阶地上。剖面出露有马兰黄土（Q₃）和离石黄土上部（Q₂²）,厚38m,见有五层古土壤。根据黄土的性质,剖面处于碳酸盐风化壳阶段。黄土中碳酸盐含量10.0—16.5%,古土壤则为0.19—6.0%,全剖面的 SiO₂、Al₂O₃和 Fe₂O₃含量分别为54.0—66.6%、11.6—15.8%、4.8—6.6%。古土壤中的铁铝含量均较黄土为高。但在减去碳酸钙后,差别不甚明显。黄土和古土壤中的粘土矿物主要为伊利石,剖面呈盐基饱和。根据古土壤的结构和性征,这些埋藏的土壤属褐土类土壤。     

Composition of organic solutes and respiration in soils derived from alkaline and non-alkaline parent materials

Parent material greatly influences pedogenesis and soil nutrient availability and consequently we hypothesized that it would significantly affect the amount of organic solutes in soil, many of which have been implicated in rhizosphere processes linked to plant nutrient uptake. Consequently, we investigated the influence of two contrasting parent materials in which calcite was present or absent (alkaline and non-alkaline soils) on the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), low-molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA) and glucose in soil solution. Both soils were under Norway spruce. The dynamics of LMWOAs in soil were also investigated using ¹⁴C-labelled citrate and oxalate. Some of the mineral horizons of the alkaline soils showed significantly higher concentrations of DOC, phenolics, and fumarate in soil solution and also a higher basal respiration. No major differences were seen in organic solute status in the organic horizons of the two soil types. LMWOAs were present at low concentrations in soil solution (< 1 to 25 µM). Their mineralization rate significantly decreased with soil depth, however, overall neither their concentration or half-life in soil was markedly affected by parent material. The alkaline soils had significantly higher CO₂-to-soil organic C (SOC) ratios, and consequently SOC in the alkaline soils did not seem more chemically stable against mineralization. Considering possible DOC and CO₂ efflux rates it was suggested that the equal or larger SOC stocks in alkaline mineral soils were most likely linked to a higher net primary productivity. In conclusion, our study found that parent material exerted only a small effect on the concentration and dynamics of organic solutes in soil solution. This suggests that in comparison to other factors (e.g. vegetation cover, climate etc) parent material may not be a major regulator of the organic solute pool in soil.     

Methane oxidation kinetics differ in European beech and Norway spruce soils

Coniferous forest soils often consume less of the greenhouse gas methane (CH₄) than deciduous forest soils. The reasons for this phenomenon have not been resolved. It might be caused by differences in the diffusive flux of CH₄ through the organic layer, pH or different concentrations of potentially inhibitory compounds. Soil samples were investigated from three adjacent European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) and Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) stands in Germany. Maximal CH₄ oxidation velocities (V_max(app)) and Michaelis Menten constants (K_M(app)), retrieved from intact soil cores at constant CH₄ concentrations, temperature and matric potential, were twice as great in beech as in spruce soils. Also atmospheric CH₄ oxidation rates measured in homogenized soil samples displayed the same trend. Greatest atmospheric CH₄ oxidation rates were detected in the O_a horizon or in the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil. In contrast to the beech soils, the O_a horizon of the spruce soils consumed no CH₄. A differential effect due to divergent diffusive flux through the litter layer was not found. pH and ammonium concentration were similar in samples from both forest soil types. Ethylene accumulation in all soils was negligible under oxic conditions. These collective results suggest that the different atmospheric CH₄ uptake by beech and spruce soils is caused by different CH₄ oxidizing capacities of methanotrophic communities in the O_a horizon and top mineral soil.     

The origin and early genesis of clay bands in youthful sandy soils along lake Michigan,U.S.A.

A beach ridge and dune complex with good radiocarbon control sampling the last 3500 radiocarbon years B.P. provides new insights on the early genesis of clay bands in sandy soils. Soil profiles were sampled by age groups, described in the field, and then subjected to laboratory analyses for particle-size distribution, pH, organic carbon, carbonate minerals, and extractable iron and manganese. This study suggests that small increases in pH, brought about by small increases in carbonate content within the soil profile, are responsible for flocculating small amounts of illuviated clay. This process, along with a transition to a greater hydraulic conductivity with soil depth due to coarser textures in any given profile, partly explains the existence and possible reason for the initiation of illuvial zones and eventually for clay-band horizons. A pronounced increase in the thickness of incipient clay-band horizons in soils older than 2300 years appears due to finer textures in the parent materials than are present in younger soils. Because of slightly reduced porosity and lower permeability, carbonates and a high pH are retained in both illuvial and eluvial horizons of some of these older soils. In addition, only in those profiles older than 2300 years do clay and iron oxide concentrations coincide and is there some suggestion of greater amounts of extractable manganese in horizons of minimum iron and clay. A pronounced segregation of clay-iron bands is not apparent at the study area but should occur in future years as additional amounts of iron and clay are deposited.     

Solods of the Baraba Lowland and the Priobskoe Plateau: Their properties and genesis and the methods of their diagnostics

The properties, hydrological features, and genesis of the solods occurring in the Baraba Lowland and Priobskoe Plateau were studied. Methods for determining the hydromorphism degree are considered; the features of the similarity and differences between the solods and other soils with textural profile differentiation are shown. Depending on the reasons for the waterlogging, the solods should be divided into two groups: the solods of groundwater waterlogging and the solods of surface waterlogging. Criteria for their discrimination are suggested: the ratio between the contents of the clay fraction in the parent rock (or in the B2 horizon) and that in the A2 horizon, the changes in the pH values along the soil profiles, and the content of nonsilicate iron compounds. The solods studied are shown to be formed under the conditions of a stagnant-percolative regime and gleying. This circumstance is an obligatory and sufficient reason for the formation of the light-colored acid eluvial (A2) horizons. According to some basic properties of the soil solid phase (the acidity, the total chemical composition, and the clay pattern in the eluvial part), the gleyed solods are close or identical to the gleyed soddy-podzolic and gleyed chernozem-like podzolic soils. At the same time, the solods differ from the gleyed chernozem-like podzolic soils by their thicker A1 (or Ap) horizon and their higher humus content (5–7%).     

Forms and pedogenetic distribution of extractable iron and aluminum in selected soils of Nigeria

The content of various forms of Fe and Al in six well-drained soil profiles sampled from different parts of Nigeria was determined by selective extraction methods. Dithionite-Fe (total free Fe oxides) content increases with the increase of depth. The oxalate-extractable Fe (amorphous Fe oxides) constitutes less than 10% of the total free Fe oxides throughout the profiles. The active Fe ratio decreases with the increase of profile depth, suggesting that larger proportions of Fe oxides are present as crystalline forms in the lower horizons of these well-drained profiles. Little or no relationships were found in the case of Al.The constant clay/dithionite-Fe ratio within the four profiles from the wetter southern part of Nigeria indicates the co-migration of clay and Fe oxides from the A horizon into the B horizon (lessivage). However, this relationship was not observed in the two soil profiles sampled from the drier northern part of the country.The need for expansion or alteration of the present U.S.D.A. system of soil classification is emphasized.     

黄土高原坝淤土发生特性与系统分类研究

[目的]黄土高原区沟坝地经过人工筑坝后自然淤积或者拦蓄洪水淤积而形成坝淤土,为了解坝淤土的发生特性及系统分类归属开展研究.[方法]为本文选取5个典型坝淤土剖面,分析坝淤土的成土环境、剖面形态特征理化性质,检索坝淤土在中国土壤系统分类高级及基层分类的归属.[结果]坝淤土剖面土体深厚,成土母质为人为淤积物质,色调以浊黄橙为...     

海南岛北部玄武岩区土壤母质均一性及相对年龄判定

【目的】时间序列法是定量研究土壤发生过程、演变速率及其变化阈值的重要手段,构建可靠的土壤时间序列需对土壤母质均一性和相对年龄进行判定。【方法】以海南岛北部不同喷发期玄武岩发育土壤所构成的成土时间序列（0.09、0.146、0.64、1.12、1.81、2.30 Ma B. P.）为对象,利用各种土壤属性参数（包括剖面形态、颗粒组成、稳定元素含量、风化发育指数和元素变化率等）对该时间序列母质均一性和土壤相对年龄进行判定。【结果】各剖面颜色、质地、结构等形态总体呈均一、渐变的特征,去除黏粒后的粗粉粒含量、稳定元素Ti/Zr比值在剖面内和剖面间变化均较小,表明时间序列土壤的起源母质相同。随着成土年龄的增加,黏粒含量和剖面发育指数呈线性增加的趋势,土壤风化强度指标（B指数、CIW指数、CIA指数和ba值）服从对数函数变化规律,在土壤相对年龄的判定中具有较好的指示意义。【结论】研究区土壤母质来源相同,土壤相对年龄可通过相关土壤属性体现出来,为定量研究土壤发生阈值奠定了基础。     

悬着水位对铝硅酸盐的稳定性及土壤发生的影响

The mineral stability and solute activities of soil solution extracted from selected horizons of seven studied pedons of Alfisols in Kentucky, USA, and the relationship between distribution of iron-manganese concretions and the restrictive layers were investigated. The results showed that the genesis and development of these soils and mineral weathering trends were strongly influenced by the depth of bedrock and the presence of perched water tables at lithic (limestone) interfaces due to the dissolution and buffering effect of limestone bedrock. The extractable Mg/Ca ratio as depth function and soil depth above bedrock could be used as indices of weathering and degree of soil development. Maximum iron-manganese concretion accumulation was found to occur in the horizon overlying clay horizon (>40% clay) with a sharp increase in clay content (>10%), which suggested that zones of Fe-Mn concretion accumulation in soils of the Inner Bluegrass Region appeared to be a sensitive genetic indicator of argillic horizons with restrictive permeability.     

Particle-size distribution patterns in Vertisols and vertic soils of Russia

Five variants of the distribution of clay (<0.001 mm) and physical clay (<0.01 mm) fractions along the vertical profiles of Vertisols (slitozems) and vertic soils (slitic subtypes of different soil types) from the European part of Russia are distinguished: (1) accumulative, (2) even, (3) regressive, (4) with a maximum in the middle-profile horizon and with their approximately equal contents in the upper and the lower horizons, and (5) eluvial–illuvial. These distribution patterns are related to the lithological specificity of sedimentation and formation of parent materials composed of swelling clays of different geneses and ages. Solonetzic, eluvial- gley, and solodic processes contribute to the development of the eluvial–illuvial and, partly, regressive variants of clay distribution. All the five variants with a predominance of the even distribution pattern can be found in Vertisols. Most of Vertisols in the European part of Russia have a medium clayey or a heavy clayey texture in the entire profile. The regressive distribution pattern is typical of the group of vertic soils. In the upper horizons of Vertisols, where slickensides do not form, the texture is usually heavier than that in the analogous horizons of vertic soils. The middle-profile and lower horizons with slickensides have similar statistical distributions of particle-size fractions in Vertisols proper and in vertic soils. However, in Vertisols, a tendency for a more frequent occurrence of the soils with a higher content of the clay fraction and with a higher portion of this fraction in the physical clay fraction is observed (as compared with the vertic soils).     

陕西关中土垫旱耕人为土样区的基层分类研究

选择陕西关中土垫旱耕人为土地区为样区,以该地区代表性土壤土垫旱耕人为土(土)为研究对象,在野外调查、室内分析及查阅大量有关剖面资料的基础上,根据中国土壤系统分类体系,对土垫旱耕人为土(土)的基层分类进行了研究。研究表明,应用土壤颗粒大小级别、矿物学型和土壤温度状况等3项指标对土族进行划分,在0~160cm的控制层段中小于2mm的土壤平均质地,多数剖面为粘壤土,少数为壤土或砂质壤土,矿物学型属伊利石型、伊利石混合型或蛭石型,土壤温度属温性或温热土壤温度状况。土垫旱耕人为土(土)土系的控制层段拟定为从表土层上界向下160cm,对于诊断层的底部在160cm以下的,则从表土层至诊断层的下部边界,特征土层有肥熟表层、土垫表层、暗沃表层、耕作淀积层、粘化层、粘质层、CaCO3高度淀积层、CaCO3中度淀积层、CaCO3低度淀积层、氧化还原层和稚育层。根据样区9个典型剖面,结合关中地区土垫旱耕人为土(土)的有关研究资料,划分了土族和土系,并描述了各土系的典型特征及土系间的变异情况。