紫色土壤风化发育程度与“钛值”关系的研究

在重庆地区按紫色土壤习惯命名采集各主要紫色地层母岩发育的54个土壤剖面样品,并进行全钛和无定形钛含量测定。结果表明:供试紫色土全钛含量范围为TiO22.70~23.9 g kg-1,平均值7.52±3.90 g kg-1;土壤全钛含量高低主要与成土紫色母岩有关,而受土壤风化发育程度的影响不大,在剖面中分布规律不明显;用土壤"钛值"(全钛/无定形钛)比较,各紫色地层母岩初期风化发育的土壤(如石骨子土)钛值大小与母岩基本保持一致,表现为:三叠系飞仙关组(T1f)>侏罗系蓬莱镇(J3p)>侏罗系自流井组(J1—2z)>侏罗系沙溪庙组(J2s)>侏罗系遂宁组(J3s)>白垩系夹关组(K2j);但随土壤风化发育程度加深,钛值显著降低,且钛值大小顺序与土壤硅铝铁率所描述的土壤风化发育程度结果基本吻合,二者达极显著相关(r=-0.809 1**),如果将紫色土壤钛值大小划分为Ⅰ~Ⅶ级,则可将不同风化发育度的紫色土壤归入相应的级别中,据此,可按级别对紫色土壤的风化发育程度做出描述。     

酸化环境对紫色母岩风化产物交换性盐基离子及其酸缓冲容量的影响

为了分析研究酸化环境对紫色母岩风化产物交换性盐基离子及其酸缓冲容量的影响规律。本研究以侏罗纪紫色岩层中的遂宁组(J3s)、沙溪庙组(J2s)和蓬莱镇组(J3p)为研究对象，设置pH分别为2.5、3.5、4.5、5.6等4个酸性环境，以及去离子水（pH=7.0）为对照处理（CK），采用循环浸泡试验和模拟淋溶试验，研究酸性环境对紫色母岩风化产物特征的影响。结果表明，通过酸化环境处理后，3组紫色母岩风化产物交换性盐基离子及其总量均随酸化环境的pH降低而减小，且3组紫色母岩风化产物的酸缓冲容量与其交换性K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+含量以及交换性盐基总量均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01)。以pH =7.0 (CK)处理为对照，循环浸泡处理后的遂宁组(J3s)、蓬莱镇组(J3p)和沙溪庙组(J2s)风化产物中交换性盐基总量的减小幅度分别为8.75%～18.21%、10.83%～23.18%和5.85%～18.41%。而且模拟淋溶24次后，遂宁组(J3s)、沙溪庙组(J2s)和蓬莱镇组(J3p)风化产物中交换性盐基总量较模拟淋溶12次时分别减小为1.77%～24.85%、8.99%～25.75%和8.05%～25.66%。此外，在同一酸度处理下，风化产物中的交换性盐基离子均表现为Ca2+> Mg2+> Na+> K+。本试验中淋溶处理下风化产物酸缓冲容量、交换性盐基离子及盐基总量低于浸泡处理。可见，丘陵地带坡面的矿物或养分的迁移以淋溶作用为主，平地的矿物或养分的迁移以浸泡作用为主。因此，酸沉降可能在一定程度上加速坡面土壤侵蚀的发生，进而导致平原化进程的加速。     

低分子量有机酸对紫色母岩中钾释放的影响

采用4种浓度为0.05mol/L的低分子量有机酸溶液分别浸提4种紫色母岩风化碎屑和2种紫色土3000h研究其钾的释放规律。结果表明,与纯水浸提相比,0.05mol/L的草酸、酒石酸、柠檬酸以及苹果酸4种低分子量有机酸溶液都能明显促进6种供试样中钾的释放,释放量提高0.3～15.2倍。4种有机酸活化6种供试样中钾的能力以草酸柠檬酸酒石酸苹果酸。侏罗纪沙溪庙组紫色泥岩、沙岩和侏罗纪遂宁组紫色泥岩以及灰棕紫泥4种土壤(或岩样)中钾的释放过程在3000h内用Elovich、双常数、抛物线、一级扩散和双曲线方程等5种动力学方程拟合,结果除一级扩散方程较差外,其它4种方程拟合的相关系数r=0.5988～0.9966(r0.01=0.6055),以双常数方程拟合效果最佳。拟合方程中常数b值可表征钾的释放速度。     

重庆紫色母岩及土壤As、Hg环境地球化学基线研究

为了掌握紫色土类中As和Hg在不同发育阶段土壤中元素含量的理论值(基线值),在重庆市合川区系统采集侏罗系沙溪庙组(J2s)紫色母岩及其不同发育程度的各土种样品,利用土壤"钛值"法测定和验证土壤发育程度;通过对土壤全量As、Hg的测定,采用标准化方法,建立紫色土类中灰棕紫泥土属As、Hg的环境地球化学基线模型。结果表明:侏罗系沙溪庙组(J2s)紫色母岩发育的土壤As、Hg的环境地球化学基线均表现为随土壤发育加深而轻度累积,As基线值大小顺序为母岩石骨子土半沙半泥土大眼泥紫黄泥,而Hg的基线值大小顺序为母岩石骨子土半沙半泥土紫黄泥大眼泥;Hg在土壤发育过程中的富集程度约大于As;深度发育土中As和Hg的化学基线值分别为5.94 mg kg-1、29.0μg kg-1,可作为重庆地区中性紫色土亚类、灰棕紫泥土属土壤污染评价的参考。     

A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF SALT TOLERANCE IN CAULIFLOWER （Brassica oleracea L. vat. botrytis L. ） DURING GERMINATION STAGE

以98份花椰菜自交系资源为试材,测定了盐胁迫下种子的发芽率（GP）、发芽势（GR）、发芽指数（GI）、活力指数（VI）、苗高（SH）和根长（RL）等指标的耐盐系数,采用隶属函数法进行了耐盐性的综合评价。结果表明：花椰菜种质材料萌发期的耐盐性强弱评价结果受多个指标的影响。运用模糊数学隶属函数法,并赋予测定指标以相应的权重,计算出种质材料耐盐性强弱的综合评价D值,对98份种质材料耐盐性的强弱进行了综合评价和排序。综合评价D值与GP、GR、GI、VI、SH、RL的耐盐系数隶属函数值的相关性均迭极显著水平（r=0．910^＊＊、0．921^＊＊、0．955^＊＊、0．972^＊＊、0．585^＊＊、0．686^＊＊）,综合评价D值可以全面反映供试种质材料的耐盐性。分别对综合评价D值、GP、GR、GI、VI、SH、RL的隶属函数值进行聚类分析比较,发现GR、GI、VI、RL可以作为花椰菜种质材料萌发期耐盐性筛选的指标,而GP、SH不宜直接作为花椰菜种质材料萌发期耐盐性筛选的指标。基于综合评价D值聚类分析,可以将98份种质材料的耐盐性分为强、中、弱、差四大群类,其中有7份材料属于强耐盐性群类的种质,可供花椰菜耐盐性品种选育改良利用及耐盐性机制、耐盐遗传机理等方面研究。     

紫色水稻土有机无机复合与土粒团聚的关系

紫色水稻土的原土复合量（重组腐殖质）为中性土〉钙质土〉酸性土，同一土壤剖面中其含量是随土层深度下降；而有机无机复合度为钙质土〉中性、酸性土，在土壤剖面中是随土层深度增加。〈０．０１ｍｍ土粒团聚量和〈０．０１ｍｍ土粒团聚度为钙质土〉中性土〉酸性土。原土复合量和有机质含量，物理性粘粒含量、铁氧化物含量与〈０．０１ｍｍ土粒团聚量呈显著正相关；而有机无机复合度与有机质含量呈显著负相关，与腐殖质结合状态，物     

冬小麦种群不同分布方式下水分特征与产量构成关系

2005年10月-2006年6月对冬小麦种群5种不同分布方式,即行距分别为7 cm（A）,14 cm（B）,24.5 cm（C）,（20＋40）cm（D）,49 cm（E）进行研究,结果表明,随生育进程的推进,叶片水势和渗透势逐渐下降,至5月29日E处理与其他处理间达到极显著差异（F=40.791^＊＊和F=9.522^＊＊）,不同处理的叶片水势日变化呈现明显的“V”型特征,E处理波动幅度最大,14：00的最低值比18：00的最高值低1.09 M Pa;E处理RW C低于其他处理;产量表现为：B〉A〉D〉C〉E,其中,B处理与A处理间差异不显著,但显著高于其他处理（P〈0.05）,E处理极显著低于其他处理（P〈0.01）;不同处理间随行距加大,分蘖数量和单株小穗数有降低趋势,分析结果表明,产量与分蘖数量、小穗数呈正相关,与千粒重呈负相关。     

武汉月湖沉积物中硅藻的垂直分布与水质变化

采用活塞取样器采集了月湖湖中央2处钻孔沉积物,分析了其中硅藻种类与密度的垂直变化,同时采用^210Pb/^137Cs推测沉积物的沉积速率,关进行了总有机质．生物硅含量分析,以了解月湖各个不同年代的水质变化。结果表明,2个柱状沉积物中硅藻的优势属为：小环藻属、直链藻属、舟形藻属、Cyclostephanos属。Z－1钻孔优势种为：梅尼小环藻、颗粒直链藻、Navicuta porifera、Cyclostephanos tholifomis. Z-2钻孔中优势种为：梅尼小环藻、颗粒直链藻、舟形藻、Cyclostephanos invisitatus。就硅藻密度而言,总趋势是上层最多,平均7．14×10^5～58．65×10^5ind·g^-1,中层其次,平均0．08×10^5-13．98×10^5ind·g^-1,下层最少,平均0．24×10^5-0．64×10^5ind·g^-1.硅藻种类数变化虽然没有明显规律,但种类最少的样品出现在中层,^210Pb/^137Cs测年数据表明中层为19世纪90年代－20世纪70年代。相天分析表明：Z－1孔生物硅与沉积硅藻密度显著正相关（r=0．933,P=0．021〈0．05）,总有机质含量与种类数显著负相关（r=－0．972,P=0．005〈0．05）;Z－2孔生物硅与沉积硅藻密度显著正相关（r=0．985,P=0．002〈0．05）,沉积硅藻密度与种类数显著负相关（r＝－0．933,P=-0．021〈0．05）。研究结果表明,月湖沉积物中硅藻种类与密度的垂直变化可以反映月湖的富营养演化历程：19世纪60年代－19世纪80年代,月湖水质较好;19世纪90年代－20世纪10年代,月湖开始由贫营养状态向中营养状态转变,为水体富营养化开始发生时间;20世纪20年代－20世纪40年代,月湖水体营养等级持续增加,已富营养化;20世纪50年代－20世纪70年代,周边人口数量急刷上升与污水的直接排放导致月湖水质持续恶化;20世纪80年代至月湖截污前这段时期使月湖最终沦为劣五类水体的湖泊。     

冬小麦-夏玉米一体化垄作覆盖下农田土壤呼吸变化研究

农田土壤呼吸释放CO2过程加强是导致全球气候变暖的重要途径。通过大田原位实验,研究了雨养条件下垄作覆盖保护性耕作技术条件对土壤呼吸季节性和作物生育后期日变化的影响。结果表明,冬小麦从越冬期到灌浆期,不同处理的土壤呼吸值均以垄作覆盖值最高,平作覆盖次之,平作的值最小,平作处理与其他处理间均达到极显著差异。灌浆期各处理土壤呼吸值达到最大,分别为4．95、4．69、4．4、2．61μmol·m^-2·s^-1;成熟期各处理间大小顺序依次为：平作覆盖处理〉垄作覆盖处理〉垄作处理〉平作处理,平作覆盖与垄作覆盖分别与其他两个处理间达到极显著差异。玉米不同生育时期垄作覆盖处理土壤呼吸值均高于其他处理,平作处理的值最低,不同生育时期垄作覆盖与平作均达到极显著差异,不同处理在夏玉米抽雄期土壤呼吸值最高,成熟期最低。从冬小麦和夏玉米生长后期土壤温度（X）与土壤呼吸强度（Y）日变化看,两者呈显著线形关系,其直线回归方程分别为：Y=0．1704X-0．6372（R^2=0．882＊＊）,Y=0．1039X＋1．2073（R^2=0．8802^＊＊）。显然,同传统的种植模式相比,雨养条件下垄作秸秆覆盖保护性耕作技术模式增大了向大气环境释放CO2温室气体的数量。     

太湖地区铁渗水耕人为土稻季上氮肥的氨挥发

系统地研究了太湖地区铁渗水耕人为土（黄泥土）稻田上施入的尿素通过氨挥发损失的过程和数量，以及土壤等条件对其影响，可为减少该地区稻季氮肥氨挥发损失，提高氮素利用率提供理论依据。试验应用连续气流密闭室法测定了太湖地区典型稻麦轮作制度中稻季不同施氮量下的水稻基肥、分蘖和孕穗期施用尿素的氨挥发损失，并对其影响因素（田面水中NH4^＋-N浓度、pH值等）的作用进行了分析研究。结果表明，水稻施用尿素后的氨挥发损失量占施肥量的3．7％～11．7％，其中以分蘖肥时期损失最大，其次为穗肥，基肥氨挥发损失最小，氨挥发损失主要时期是在施肥后7d内，田面水中的NH4^＋-N浓度和pH值与氨挥发量有极显著的相关关系（相关系数分别为0．791^＊＊、0．443^＊＊）。     

The parent rock effect in the genesis of soil

Weathering trends emanating from the compositional field of the common igneous rocks, can be shown graphically to converge on compositions relatively rich in SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃. This convergence means that in chemical terms, the effect of the composition of igneous parent rock on the composition of the resulting soil, is an inverse function of time. Given enough time the chemical effect of parent rock would be nullified. The consequences of this to “state factor equations” are indicated.     

Geomorphological and paleoclimatic implications of soil development from siliceous materials on the coral-reef terraces of Liuchiu Island in southern Taiwan

Liuchiu Island is an uplifted coral-reef island located off southwestern Taiwan. A total of four soil pedons, labeled as LC-1 and LC-2 from the Holocene terraces and LC-3 and LC-4 from the Pleistocene terraces, were sampled on the island for this work. These soils were siliceous, and were characterized by enrichment of clay and free iron (Fe_d). According to Soil Taxonomy, pedons LC-3 and LC-4 were classified as Paleudults and pedons LC-1 and LC-2 were Dystrudepts. The soil properties showed progressive changes from pedon LC-1 to pedon LC-4 in morphology, physical and chemical properties, and clay mineralogy. The contents of total Fe and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate extractable Fe were significantly higher in pedons LC-3 and LC-4 with high weathering degree than in pedons of LC-1 and LC-2 with less weathering degree. Enrichment of kaolinite and gibbsite in pedons LC-3 and LC-4 also suggested high chemical weathering degree of the soils. The estimated soil ages for all studied pedons were consistent with their degrees in pedogenesis, where pedons LC-3 and LC-4 were located at older terraces and pedons LC-1 and LC-2 were located at younger terraces. Namely, it complied with the geologic interpretation of the continuous and simultaneous uplift and tilt of the island over time. Instead of the in situ weathering from the underlying coral reef limestone, all soils developed from siliceous parent materials deposited onto the surfaces. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of soils indicated a component of loess may have been incorporated from continental China as part of the parent material, which confirmed a climate change of strong monsoons or severe dust storms occurred before the Holocene. However, soil development increased by the subsequent warm and humid climates of the interglacial stage over time.     

Oxalate-soluble compounds of Al, Fe, and Si in soils of cold humid regions as a function of weathering

Original and published data on the contents of X-ray amorphous oxalate-soluble compounds of Al, Fe, and Si in mesomorphic eluvial soils of cold, moderately cold, and moderately warm continental humid and semihumid regions are generalized. The groups of soils developed from mafic igneous, metamorphic, and pyroclastic rocks are considered. It is shown that the content of oxalate-soluble oxides (OSOx) in the horizons of their maximal accumulation varies from less than 1% to 20–30%; the Al_ox/Fe_ox ratio varies from 1 to 6.5. The leading factor dictating the amount and quality of the OSOx in the soils is the presence or absence of volcanic glass in the parent materials. The boundary between the soils with and without volcanic glass corresponds to the OSOx content of 5% and the Al₂O_3ox/Fe₂O_3ox ratio equal to 2. These criteria are more reliable than the Al_ox/Fe_ox ratio used by foreign soil scientists to specify Andosols (Al_ox/Fe_ox > 2). The contents of oxalate-soluble oxides of Al and Fe do not depend on the total contents of these oxides in the parent material and seem to be related to the presence of these elements in minerals with different resistance to weathering. Under the natural conditions described in this paper, the content of OSOx shows a very weak response to zonal (temperature-controlled) climatic changes and/or to changes in the degree of humidity and the continentality of the climate.     

Calcium accumulation alleviates soil acidification in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) stands

Based on chemical and mechanical compositions and quartz content of red and/or yellow colored soil materials in the southwestern part of Japan, lithology index (LI) and weathering index (WI) were derived using a multivariate statistical method (factor analysis). The variables used for factor analysis are Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃, TiO₂/Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃+Al₂O₃+Quartz, Si(non-quartz)/(Fe₂O₃ + Al₂O₃), CaO + MgO + K₂O₃, MgO/K₂O₃ and Quartz/Sand, all of which represent certain different aspects of weathering and/or Iithological characteristics. Since LI and WI are mutually independent, it is possible to evaluate the effect of the degree of weathering on the characteristics of red and/or yellow colored soil materials independently from that of lithology.     

THE RESIDUA SYSTEM OF CHEMICAL WEATHERING: A MODEL FOR THE CHEMICAL BREAKDOWN OF SILICATE ROCKS AT THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH

The residua system of chemical weathering is here defined as the chemical sink towards which the bulk of earth's surface materials (i.e. the silicate rocks) trend during weathering. Chemically the system is defined in terms of four major components, SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₃–H₂O, evidence being derived from relative solubilities of components under earth-surface conditions; from experiments in which weathering environments have been simulated in the laboratory; and from field studies of rocks and their weathered mantle. The residua system can be used as a framework to construct mineral facies diagrams showing assemblages of the commonest earth-surface minerals that occur within it: quartz, gibbsite, goethite, kaolinite, halloysite. In a qualitative manner the facies diagrams can then be interpreted in terms of the partial pressure of water (PH₄O) and the temperature, T. The usefulness of this approach in systematizing studies of soil genesis is illustrated with reference to the weathering of granite.     

QUANTIFICATION OF WEATHERING, SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY AND SOIL FERTILITY

Continental chemical weathering is discussed with reference to a diagram, in which the ratio (CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)/(Al₂O₃+ CaO + Na₂O + K₂O) is plotted against the ratio (SiO₂+ CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)/(Al₂O₃+ SiO₂+ Na₂O + K₂O). The former ratio is a measure of the degree of feldspar breakdown, which is accompanied by the formation of secondary minerals (illite, smectite, etc.). The second ratio is a measure of the enrichment during weathering of Al, Si oxide phases such as kaolinite, quartz and gibbsite. The application of the diagram to a series of global examples leads to the statement: 1) Chemical weathering is the principal process by which continental surfaces are modified. 2) The extent of chemical weathering is correlated with the age of continental surfaces. 3) Global agricultural productivity is correlated with geologically recent additions of fresh rock debris by processes of volcanism, glaciation or alluviation.     

Yellow‐brown earth on Quaternary red clay in Langxi County,Anhui Province in subtropical China: Evidence for paleoclimatic change in late Quaternary period

In order to investigate the paleoclimatic changes in S China during the late Quaternary and their influence on pedogenesis and soil classification, a yellow‐brown earth (YBE)–red clay (RC) profile in Langxi County, Anhui Province was studied. The grain‐size distribution and the major‐ and trace‐element compositions of the profile indicate that the YBE of the profile shares the same origin with the YBE in Jiujiang and Xuancheng and the Xiashu loess in Zhenjiang, and the underlying RC also has aeolian characteristics and shares the same origin with the Xiashu loess. Grain‐size characteristics, molecular ratios of SiO₂/Al₂O₃, SiO₂/(Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃), and BA ([CaO+MgO+K₂O+Na₂O]/Al₂O₃) and other weathering indices (CaO/TiO₂, MgO/TiO₂, K₂O/TiO₂, Na₂O/TiO₂, and Rb/Sr) of the profile indicate that the RC is more strongly weathered than the YBE. Magnetic susceptibility (χ_lf) of the uniform red clay (URC) of the profile is significantly enhanced. However, that of the underlying reticulate red clay (RRC) is significantly decreased because of the paleogroundwater movement and cannot indicate its strong weathering properties. The YBE‐RC profile in Langxi County recorded a great climatic change during late Quaternary: At that time, the pedogenic development of the RC was terminated and widespread dust deposition occurred. The parent material of the RC may be aeolian deposits which were accumulated before the last interglacial and were strongly weathered and rubified under the subsequent interglacial climate. It is observed that red soils, derived from the RC, and yellow‐brown soils, derived from the YBE, coexist in the study area, which is contradictive to the theory of the zonal distribution of soils. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the history of Quaternary climatic changes when studying pedogenesis.     

湖南张家界典型植烟土壤地球化学特征研究

为了研究张家界山地植烟区域土壤的成土环境及地球化学元素的丰缺状况和迁移富集规律,为烟区优质特色烟叶的生产和布局提供科学依据,本文采集23个长期耕种的典型植烟土壤剖面样品,测定分析了25种地球化学元素(氧化物)的含量,并对土壤的风化发育状况和元素(氧化物)的迁移富集特征进行了研究。结果表明,张家界烟区主要成土母质如石灰岩、板页岩、紫色砂页岩风化物均受到了较强的风化作用,化学风化指数(CIA)介于73.19～88.03之间,总体上土壤具有Ca、Na贫乏而Fe、Al相对富集的化学组成特征。其中紫色砂页岩风化物发育形成的紫色土的风化作用较强,土壤的淋溶作用较强;石灰岩风化物发育形成的土壤富铝化程度较低。黄壤、水稻土、紫色土中地球化学元素多数表现出一定的富集特征,大量有益营养元素的富集对于提高烟叶产量具有重要作用。土壤剖面淋溶层中元素(氧化物)P、B、Se、Mn、Zn、Cu、Ni、Y、Sc、La、Fe2O3、SiO2的含量均高于中国或世界土壤元素(氧化物)中值(均值),而N、S、Cl、Mo、Co、Sr、Br、I、CaO、MgO、K2O、Na2O、Al2O3的含量偏低,其中元素(氧化物)N、P、S、Mo、Se、Mn、Zn、Br、I、CaO、MgO在土壤剖面中的含量变化较大。通过对元素(氧化物)富集系数的聚类分析,将元素(氧化物)分为3类:呈较强富集特征的元素N、P、S、Se;呈较强迁移特征的元素(氧化物)Br、I、Mn、CaO;变化较稳定的其他元素。微量元素B、Zn、Cu和稀土元素Y、Sc、La含量较丰富且变化相对稳定,表明除了常量元素N、P、S以外,微量元素Se、B、Zn、Cu和稀土元素Y、Sc、La可能是影响张家界烟区烤烟品质的重要特征元素。     

PRECIPITATION OF AMORPHOUS ALUMINOSILICATES FROM SOLUTIONS CONTAINING MONOMERIC SILICA AND ALUMINIUM IONS

Monomeric silica solutions were mixed with solutions containing AlCl₃, or Al(OH)_2-55Cl_0-45 to give a SiO₂/Al₂O₃, ratio varying from 8 to 8.0 and were kept at pH 6–0, 7.0, or 8.0 over a period of about I year. All precipitates which formed from solutions with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of 1–0 or higher were X-ray amorphous. The SiO₂/Al₂O₂, ratio of the precipitate varied in the range from 1.0 to 3.0. It increased with the Si concentration and the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of the parent solution and with reaction time. The pH did not affect the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of the precipitate but did affect its dispersion and flocculation. Al³⁺ and Al(OH)_2.55^+0.45 reacted differently with silica and yielded different reaction products. These differences were interpreted in terms of the stability of hydroxy-Al polymer units in the reaction. The amount of NaOH per Al atom which was required to reach and maintain the same pH, increased with the increasing SiO₂/A1₂O ratio of the precipitate, but the value was generally lower than that predicted from ‘one in four’ substitution of Si by Al in four-fold co-ordination. A ‘neutralization’ of the positive charge on the hydroxy-Al cations by silica was pointed out also to be a cause of the extra acidity. Implications of these observations on synthetic amorphous aluminosilicates to the genesis, structure, and properties of their natural counterparts were discussed.