有机磷与土壤矿物相互作用及其环境效应研究进展

土壤有机磷是土壤环境中重要的磷组分,其在环境中的界面反应影响着磷素的迁移、转化、生物有效性以及环境行为。本文主要总结了土壤中典型有机磷在矿物表面的吸附-解吸、溶解-沉淀等反应特性和微观机制,以及有机磷-矿物相互作用对有机磷形态、金属离子界面反应行为,以及矿物胶体化学稳定性与溶解转化的影响等环境效应。土壤有机磷可含多个磷酸基团,相对分子质量大,电荷密度高,通过界面反应与环境矿物发生强烈的相互作用,并影响矿物的电荷性质、共存金属离子的吸附特性、以及胶体化学稳定性。有机磷界面反应特性和机制受矿物类型和结晶度、有机磷相对分子质量、pH、温度和共存离子等因素的影响。有机磷在矿物表面的吸附密度一般随着体系pH、矿物结晶度和有机磷相对分子质量的升高而降低。有机磷一般可在矿物表面形成内圈络合物,某些情况下还存在氢键作用,甚至转化形成表面沉淀。有机磷和金属离子在矿物表面的吸附一般存在协同效应(尤其是在低pH条件下),即金属离子促进了有机磷的吸附,有机磷也促进金属离子的固定;吸附机制因反应体系而异,主要包括形成三元表面络合物和表面沉淀等,多数时候存在多种机制的共同作用。最后讨论了环境中有机磷与矿物相互作用的主要研究热点和方向。     

Effect of organic matter on the charge and phosphate adsorption characteristics of kikuyu red clay from kenya

Two profiles from Muguga, Kenya, one cultivated and one under forest, contained similar contents of clay of apparently uniform composition. The profiles differed in their organic matter contents, surface (0–15 cm) samples containing 6.8% C and 3.8% C in forest and cultivated profiles, respectively. In both profiles the amounts of organic matter decreased with depth.The positive charge, measured at pH 4 in 0.2M NH₄ Cl, increased down the cultivated profile to 3.6 me/100 g at 90–120 cm. The charge was lower in the forest profile at equivalent depths, and at 90–120 cm the value was 1.2 me/100 g. Phosphate adsorption measured at pH 5 was also higher in the cultivated profile. The amount of phosphate required to raise the solution concentration to 0.2 p.p.m., ΔP, was 45 and 11 mg/kg in the surface horizon (0–15 cm) of the cultivated and forest profiles, respectively, and increased in both profiles with depth of sample.The differences between, and within, the two profiles are largely attributed to the blocking of positively charged sites and phosphate adsorption sites by organic matter.     

Mineralogical characterization related to physico-chemical conditions in the pyrite-rich tailings in Guryong Mine,Korea

The detailed characterization of mineralogical changes with depth in pyrite-rich tailings from an abandoned mine provides insight into the future geochemical progression of the tailings. Based on the pH and mineralogical characterization, the Guryong mine tailings can be divided into four zones: jarosite zone, iron (Fe)-sulfate zone, Fe-oxyhydroxide and gypsum-bearing pyrite zone, and calcite-bearing pyrite zone. The jarosite zone was approximately 50 cm deep from the surface and had secondary gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) and jarosite [KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆]. The pH of the jarosite zone ranged from 2.3 to 4.0, and the ratio of total Fe to total sulfur (S) ranged from 0.7 to 4.3. These results show that the solid phase, schwertmannite or jarosite, is associated with the total sulfate (SO₄) content. The Fe-sulfate zone had low pH values caused by strong pyrite oxidation and greatest amounts of the secondary minerals and acid-leachable heavy metals. The Fe-oxyhydroxide and gypsum-bearing pyrite zone reflects partial alteration of pyrite resulting in the coexistence of secondary gypsum and primary pyrite. The calcite-bearing pyrite zone had pH values exceeding 7.0 at greater depths and contained primary calcite (CaCO₃). However, the GS6 and GS10 profiles, which contained coarse particles near the water table, were the most acidic and their calcite contents were not dectected. The oxidation of pyrite is the most important factor in the mineral cycling of Guryong mine tailings, controlling the changes in pH, the precipitation of secondary mineral phases, and the behavior of heavy metals through the profile.     

滴灌氮肥用量对设施菜地硝态氮含量及环境质量的影响

【目的】滴灌施肥较传统施肥更为精准的将肥水输送至作物的根区,减少肥料的用量,降低土壤水分和养分深层渗漏带来的环境风险。本试验研究滴灌管理下不同氮肥(N)用量对设施菜地供氮能力及环境质量的影响,以期获得滴灌水肥一体化管理条件下最佳施氮用量。【方法】采用日光温室冬春茬黄瓜-秋冬茬番茄轮作,共设计4个化肥氮用量梯度(N_0、N_1、N_2、N_3,对应冬春茬黄瓜季施氮0、300、600、900 kg/hm~2;秋冬茬番茄季施氮0、225、450、675 kg/hm2)3年定位研究比较不同氮用量下0-100 cm土体硝态氮、电导率(EC_(5:1))、pH动态变化计算了各施氮水平下设施蔬菜生产的氮素表观平衡、氮肥利用率和经济效益。【结果】随着种植年限的延长,N_2和N_3处理0-100 cm土体硝态氮和盐分积累显著土壤硝态氮含量分别由2008年黄瓜季季平均14.4~31.1和14.9~41.0 mg/kg增至2010年番茄季季均76.4~119.8和129.0~184.5 mg/kg,分别增加了1.9~5.1和3.5~7.7倍;两处理EC。分别由2008年黄瓜季季平均379.6~514.3和407.0~476.7S/cm增至2010年番茄季季平均663.0~1212.4和710.0~1359.6μS/cm分别增加了0.3~1.8和0.5~2.0倍。与N_2和N_3处理相比,N_1处理节氮50%~66.7%,经过三年的种植0-100cm土层季均硝态氮含量和EC_(5:1)分别下降了35.5%~67.4%和6.0%~25.2%,pH增加0.06~0.18,氮肥利用率显著增加9.0~13.8个百分点而种植蔬菜的经济效益未有显著下降。【结论】温室滴灌冬春茬黄瓜一秋冬茬番茄经济施氮量分别为N 300和225kg/hm~2,既能保证3年5季蔬菜根层(0-60 cm)土层硝态氮处于相对适宜水平,具有较好的经济和环境效益。     

长期施肥对砂姜黑土可溶性碳淋溶的影响

研究施肥对砂姜黑土可溶性碳淋溶的影响,对有机肥的可持续利用有重要意义.该研究依托33 a的长期试验,分析常规施肥(MF)、化肥+低量小麦秸秆(MFL)、化肥+高量小麦秸秆(MFH)、化肥+猪粪(MFP)和化肥+牛粪(MFC)等施肥方式对土壤剖面(0～60 cm)理化性质、微生物性状、可溶性有机碳(Dissolved O...     

Clay materials in the soils of the Baraba Steppe and the Priobskoe Plateau

The composition and the regularities of the profile distribution of the clay minerals in the solods of the Baraba Steppe (ground moistening) and the Priobskoe Plateau (atmospheric moistening) were studied. The two profiles have the distinct eluvial-illuvial distribution of the clay fraction. The composition of the clay fraction in the eluvial layer is dominated by illite. The content of chlorite and labile minerals of the montmorillonite group increases downwards in the profile. The revealed regularities in the profile distribution of the clay fraction and some groups of clay minerals are explained by the joint influence of the mineral dissolution under the influence of the gleying and alkaline hydrolysis, as well as the processes of illitization and lessivage. The major differences in the content and distribution of the clay minerals between the solods and the podzolic soils are the following. The solods have a clear illuvial layer in the clay, while the majority of podzolic soil profiles have the eluvial distribution of the silty fraction. The solods in the eluvial part of the profile and sometimes in even the bottom layers have an unusually high content of the illite minerals in the clay fraction due to illitization. The podzolic layers of the solods do not contain soil chlorites common for the eluvial layers of the podzolic soils, which is due here to a less acidic medium that can not provide the proper conditions of aluminum mobilization and migration needed for the development of chloritization.     

微地形下紫色土的矿物组成和pH的耦合特征

为了研究微地形下紫色土的矿物组成和土壤酸度之间的关系,采集了重庆合川丘陵地区典型的紫色土壤,通过电渗析模拟酸化,并通过X射线衍射光谱分析电渗析前后的矿物组成以及酸度变化。结果表明:不同地形部位的紫色土随着地形部位的降低,土壤原生矿物的比重逐渐降低,土壤的发育程度越来越高。紫色母岩及其发育的土壤pH大小关系为母岩石骨子土半沙半泥土豆瓣泥。pH变化与土壤中的方解石、钠长石和钾长石等矿物的含量有紧密关系。电渗析模拟土壤酸化后发现,石骨子土和半沙半泥土的pH分别降低了4.3,3.8个单位,同时土壤原生矿物分解风化,表明土壤原生矿物(如长石类矿物)可以缓冲土壤的酸化。     

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...     

Contribution of SO3 to the acid neutralizing capacity of Andosols exposed to strong volcanogenic acid and SO2 deposition

Soil response to acid and sulphur inputs is influenced largely by the soil's physico‐chemical properties. We studied the effects of such depositions in two types of Andosols exposed to volcanogenic emission (Masaya, Nicaragua), namely Eutric Andosols rich in allophanic constituents, and Vitric Andosols rich in volcanic glass. Small mineral reserves and large contents of secondary short‐range ordered minerals indicate a more advanced weathering of the Eutric than the Vitric Andosols. Strong correlations between soil specific surface and oxalate‐extractable Al, Si and Fe contents highlight the predominant contribution of short‐range ordered minerals to surface area. Both types of Andosols showed a decrease in pH upon acid input. Sulphur deposition increased the soil's S content to 5470 mg S kg^?1. However, the acid neutralizing capacity of the soil solid phase (ANC_s) was not significantly affected by the acid and S inputs. Non‐exchangeable (mineral reserve) and exchangeable cations and total contents of sulphur and phosphorus dictate most of the ANC_s variation. In the Vitric Andosols, mineral reserves contributed up to 97% to these four additive pools, whereas the exchangeable cations accounted for 1–4%. In the Eutric Andosols, the contribution of mineral reserves was less (71–92%), but the exchangeable cation content was greater (1–20%), whereas the contribution of sulphur and phosphorus was significant at 1–15% and 2–7%, respectively. The main process involved in H⁺ consumption is mineral weathering in Vitric Andosols and ion exchange in Eutric Andosols.     

Decomposition of clay minerals in model experiments and in soils: Possible mechanisms, rates, and diagnostics (analysis of literature)

The analysis of model experiments on the dissolution of clay minerals showed that, beginning from a certain moment, this process reaches a steady state and proceeds at a constant rate. The minimum dissolution rate was observed in a neutral environment, where this value varied in the range from n × 10^?14-n × 10^?12 mol/(m² s). Under acidic and alkaline conditions, this value increased to n × 10^?12 or n × 10^?10 mol/(m²s) for most clay minerals. The first stage of the dissolution mechanism involved the formation of protonated (in an acidic environment) and deprotonated (in an alkaline environment) complexes, which destabilized and polarized metal-oxygen (or metal-hydroxyl) bonds in the crystal lattice. At the second stage, the rupture of Si-O and Al-O bonds and the release of these components into the solution occurred at a specific concentration of these complexes, and this stage largely controlled the dissolution rate of the mineral. The presence of organic ligands forming mononuclear polydentate complexes on the surface of the mineral particles at the same solution pH increased the dissolution rate of the minerals by several times and sometimes by an order of magnitude proportionally to the concentration of these complexes on the surface of the particles. It was found that the dissolution rates of kaolinite, illite, and smectite in the podzolic horizon of loamy podzolic soil calculated from the losses of clay minerals in the soil profile with consideration for the soil age exceeded the corresponding values obtained in model laboratory experiments at the same pH values by several orders of magnitude. The revealed differences could be related to the long-term functioning of biota in native soils and the existing uncertainties in the assessment of the active surface of mineral particles.     

九宫山土壤剖面中黏土矿物的组成特征

以湖北省九宫山的4种垂直地带性土壤为对象,研究其剖面层次的黏土矿物组合和铁、铝氧化物的特征,揭示山地土壤中黏土矿物的变化特点。结果表明,随海拔升高,土壤中黏土矿物类型从以高岭石为主,逐渐变为以14.0?矿物、伊利石及三水铝石为主,有从1︰1型向2︰1型矿物过渡的趋势;不同层次的土壤中黏土矿物类型和相对含量变化明显;土壤随垂直高程的升高,其中游离态铁、铝减小,非晶形和络合态铁、铝增加,各种形态铁、铝氧化物的总量也增加。     

南京地区水稻土中固定态铵与伊利石的相关性

本文以南京地区长城岗和泉水两个水稻土剖面为研究对象,在利用Silva-Bremner法测定土壤全样和3个粒级(黏粒、粉粒和细砂粒)的固定态铵含量、利用X-射线衍射仪测定矿物成分的基础上,讨论了固定态铵含量与粒级以及矿物种类的关系.结果认为,两个剖面在以下几个方面具有共性:①在黏粒、粉粒和细砂粒3个粒级中,黏粘粒含量与固定态铵含量的关系最为密切,相关系数分别为0.68和0.64;②在黏粒中的伊利石、高岭石和蒙脱石3种主要矿物中,伊利石含量与固定态铵含量相关性最好,相关系数分别为0.50和0.49;⑨对于全样来说,其中的伊利石含量与同定态铵含量呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.68和0.66.这些数据充分说明,伊利石是南京地区水稻土中固定态铵赋存的最主要载体.     

Soils on hard rocks in the northwest of Russia: Chemical and mineralogical properties,genesis, and classification problems

Soil formation on hard rocks—nepheline syenite, amphibolite, metamorphized gabbro diabase, and their derivatives—was studied in the mountainous tundra and in the northern and middle taiga zones of the Kola Peninsula and Karelia (in the Kivach Reserve). It was found that the soils developing from these rocks could be classified into three groups: (1) petrozems with the O-M profile (the most common variant), (2) podzols and podzolized podburs on the substrates with an admixture of morainic derivatives of acid rocks, and (3) shallow (<5–10 cm) pebbly soils on the substrates without an admixture of allochthonous material (the rarest variant). In soils of the third group, the pedogenic alteration of the mineral matrix does not result in the appearance of phyllosilicates in the fine fractions if these phyllosilicates are initially absent in the rock. In these soils, the protion of the organic matter, and binding of iron released from the weathered silicate minerals into iron-organic complexes) are virtually undifferentiated by the separate soil horizons because of the very low thickness of the soil profiles. These soils have the Oao-BHFao-M profile; it is suggested that they can be classified as leptic podburs. An admixture of morainic material containing phyllosilicate minerals favors a more pronounced differentiation of the modern pedogenic processes by separate soil horizons even in the case of shallow soil profiles; the intense transformation of phyllosilicates takes place in the soils.     

鄂湘两省山地土壤粘粒矿物的研究──Ⅲ．神农架自然保护区北坡土壤的粘粒矿物与表面化学特性

本文研究结果表明：（１）神农架垂直带土壤矿物的风化脱硅作用较弱，粘土矿物以２：１型矿物为主，１：１型高岭含量很少。（２）随海拔升高，矿物的淋溶脱钾和层间羟基铝化作用增强，低海拔土壤的２：１型矿物以水云母为主，高海拔土壤以１．４ｎｍ矿物为主，其中１．４ｎｍ过渡矿物相对增多。（３）土壤的络合态铁、铝和非晶形铁，铝含量随海拔升高明显增大。（４）土壤的可变电荷量，阴离子交换量，交换性酸和铝饱和度等均随海拔     

牛粪矿物混合蚯蚓堆肥中堆制物Pb和Cd吸附性能变化

为促进畜粪和矿物资源的生态循环利用和Pb、Cd污染土壤的原位稳定化治理,以寻求具有良好重金属吸附性能的原位稳定化修复材料为目标,该研究以高钙镁系矿物和海泡石添加下牛粪矿物混合蚯蚓堆肥为研究对象,分析堆制物性状变化及其对Pb~(2+)、Cd~(2+)的吸附性能差异。结果表明,高钙镁系矿物及海泡石添加下蚯蚓均可较好生长,蚯蚓处理可使堆制物pH值、C/N比和有机质含量降低,而使其阳离子交换量和比表面积提高;高钙镁系矿物和海泡石添加则均可提高堆制物pH值、阳离子交换量和比表面积。傅里叶红外光谱分析表明,蚯蚓处理后堆制物中醇或羧酸类物质和芳香类物质增多,而脂类和多糖类物质含量减少,且高钙镁系矿物添加使堆制物含有更多的Me-O基团。X射线衍射分析表明,蚯蚓处理后堆制物中含有更多的硅酸盐和可溶性盐;高钙镁系矿物添加则增加了堆制物中的硅酸盐含量及CaO、MgO等组分,而海泡石添加使堆制物中增加了硅酸盐含量及MgO等组分。吸附试验表明,蚯蚓处理后堆制物对Pb~(2+)、Cd~(2+)具有更大吸附量和吸持能力,且以牛粪和高钙镁系矿物混合蚯蚓堆肥中的堆制物对Pb~(2+)和Cd~(2+)吸附效果最好,其吸附率分别为77.8%、59.7%。因此,利用牛粪和高钙镁系矿物混合蚯蚓堆肥生产具有良好Pb~(2+)、Cd~(2+)吸附性能的堆制物具有一定可行性。     

Distribution of Zinc,Manganese, Copper,Cobalt, and Nickel in Andosols Profiles

The distribution of zinc, manganese, copper, cobalt, and nickel in Andosols was investigated. Sixty nine soil samples were collected from different horizons of an Andosols profile in Miyakonojo Basin in south Kyushu, Japan, The total contents of heavy metals were determined by digestion and four extraction solutions, 1 M NH₄Ac (ammonium acetate) pH 4.5, 0.1 M HCl, 0.01 M EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) pH 6.5, and 0.005 M DTPA (diethylenetri-aminepentaacetic acid) pH 7.3 were used to determine the contents of available Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni in Andosols in relation to the organic carbon content. The results of the extraction analysis showed that by the use of 0.1 M H Cl high value of extracted heavy metals in the upper layers of the humus horizons were obtained while EDTA extraction yielded a large amount of the above mentioned metals in the high humus horizons. The extractable heavy metals contents were high and these metals closely related to the organic carbon content mostly in the humus horizons in the profile. Where, biocycling process may play an important role in the concentration of heavy metals. Based on the study, it was found that the total content of Zn increased towards the C horizons or pumice layers in the soil profile. Such a trend was also found in the case of the Mn content. While the Cu content in the humus horizons was much higher in the upper part of each humus horizon. According to this study the distribution of heavy metals, Cu (organic matter complexes) in the Andosols profile was more stable than that of Zn (organic matter complexes) in soils. It was shown that Zn in the surface humus horizon was enriched but that some amount was leached under buried conditions. The same phenomenon was also observed in the distribution of Mn in the profile. The movement of Co and Ni in the soil profile was limited, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in the concentrations of these two metals in buried soils.

Hence, it is concluded that the distribution of Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, and Ni was considerably higher in the humus horizons of the Andosols profiles.     

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.     

Bildung sekundärer Al-(Fe-)Chlorite

Genesis of Secondary Al-(Fe-)Chlorites Comparing the results of soil investigations with those obtained from laboratory syntheses it was concluded that secondary Al-Fe-chlorites in soils of moderate cool-warm-humid climates mainly develop through protonisation of Al and Fe in the mineral structure of expanded dioctahedral vermiculites with subsequent hydrolysis in the interlayer space. In this process characteristics of the mineral itself (e.g. layer charge) as well as carbonic acid and soil organic acids (as proton suppliers) are the most important factors. From this, the further conclusion was drawn that in the pH-range 6, 5–6 secondary chlorites begin to develop increasingly until pH5 (development conditions) and in the pH-range 5–4,5“conservation conditions” exist. - At pH<4,5 secondary chlorites are unstable (dissolution conditions) through protonisation of Al-Fe-hydroxy polymers (reverse of hydrolysis) with subsequent solubilization and leaching especially through complexation by soil organic acids. - As remaining minerals in this weathering sequence smectites occur, resulting from the decrease of layer charge in vermiculites through the chloritization process, thus indicating that chloritization may be an important process for the genesis of smectites under acid weathering conditions.     

Differential weathering of granitic stocks and landscape effects in a Mediterranean climate,Southern Iberian Massif (Spain)

Mineralogical and structural features control the weathering processes and landform development of two different crystalline stocks in the Iberian Massif, Spain (the Santa Elena and Linares stocks). The Santa Elena stock shows irregular saprolite profiles and boulder landforms whereas the Linares stock develops broad and plain landscapes with uniform saprolites and less boulder forms. The Santa Elena stock is more closely jointed and fractured than the Linares body. The main secondary minerals are kaolinite, and illite; illite/smectite interstratification was only observed in deep samples from the Linares profile. The Linares profile is feldspar-enriched whereas in Santa Elena plagioclase is almost absent and clay mineral content, especially kaolinite, is higher. Feldspars show dissolution channels developed along cleavage planes filled by clay minerals. Biotite–kaolinite intergrowths have fanned-out textures of epitaxial disposition. Weathered materials are enriched in Al and H₂O and Fe, and depleted in Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, P. The Santa Elena weathered materials are richer in H₂O than those from Linares and have lower Si/Al ratios. Mineralogical and geochemical evidence indicate the Santa Elena materials are more intensely weathered. High fracturation and high Ca-richer plagioclase contents are key factors producing the pervasive Santa Elena stock weathering. Fluvial erosion removed the alteration products in incised tectonically controlled streams resulting in boulder accumulation.     

Effects of biochar application on soil potassium dynamics and crop uptake

Biochar has been suggested as a possible means for enhancing soil fertility, including soil potassium (K). However, understanding of the effects of biochar on soil K dynamics remains limited. In this study, a pot trial was conducted to investigate the influence of biochar application (0, 5, 10, and 25 g kg^?1 soil) on soil K dynamics and crop K uptake under a winter wheat–maize rotation in two types of soil (an Alfisol, which contained a high initial available K and an Entisol, which contained a high abundance of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals). Changes in soil K in various forms following biochar application and cropping were determined, and their contributions to plant K uptake were evaluated. Soil microbial activity, especially the development of K‐dissolving bacteria (KDB), was evaluated to obtain insights into its effects on the weathering of K‐bearing minerals in the soils. During the wheat growth period, crop K uptake was more enhanced (13.6–40.5% higher) in the Alfisol than in the Entisol due to the higher availability of water‐soluble and exchangeable K, while K fixation occurred in the Entisol because of the higher content of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals. During the maize period, crop K uptake was generally higher in the Entisol soil due to the release of non‐exchangeable K. In addition, biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB in both soils, which was associated with changes in soil pH and water‐soluble K. However, improved mineral K release was observed only in the Entisol. It is concluded that biochar application could be a feasible soil amendment to improve soil K availability, but crop K uptake responses may vary depending on soil types. Soils abundant in 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals tend to prolong biochar effects on crop K uptake. Biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB, which may facilitate mineral K weathering in soils with abundant K‐bearing minerals.