Factors contributing to aggregate stability at different particle sizes in ultisols from Southern China

Purpose

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of abiogenic and biogenic factors, and their interaction, on aggregate stability determined at different particle sizes.

Materials and methods

Soil samples with the same land use pattern were collected and fractioned into five aggregate sizes: 10–15 mm, 5–10 mm, 2–5 mm, 0.25–2 mm, and <?0.25 mm. Contents of iron/aluminum (Fe/Al) oxides, soil organic carbon (SOC), clay, and mean weight diameter (MWD) values for aggregates at different sizes were determined. The respective contributions of these factors were further estimated using path analysis.

Results and discussion

The results showed that SOC contents in A horizon declined with the increase of aggregate size. Highest amorphous iron oxide (Fe_o) contents were observed in 0.25–2 and 2–5 mm aggregates, but highest amorphous aluminum oxide (Al_o) contents were found in 5–10 mm aggregates. Abiotic factors (Fe/Al oxides, clay) played a more important role in determining the formation of <?0.25 mm aggregates, whereas both abiotic and biotic factors play an effective role in stabilizing larger aggregates (0.25–2, 2–5, 5–10, and 10–15 mm). The organo-mineral complexes played a certain role in the stability of soil aggregates, especially the larger aggregates.

Conclusions

We conclude that abiotic and biotic factors play variable roles in soil aggregates at different sizes, and more studies are needed to better assess their respective roles to improve our understanding of soil aggregation.

     

氧化铁对土粒强胶结作用的矿物学证据

DCB脱铁处理高铁土壤前后用NaOH -超声波分散的四个粒级 (<2 μm、2～ 2 0 μm、2 0～ 2 5 0 μm和 2 5 0～2 0 0 0 μm)的矿物组成变化研究表明 :氧化铁对土壤颗粒有很强的胶结能力 ,它可与高岭石、蒙脱石等粘粒矿物胶结形成非常稳定的大颗粒团聚体 ,这些团聚体即使用NaOH -超声波也很难分散     

Influence of soil properties on the aggregate stability of cultivated sandy clay loams

Purpose

Frequent cultivation and overhead irrigation have led to severe surface crusting, erosion and poor irrigation performance on sandy clay loam soils in the Coal River Valley, Tasmania, Australia. This study was established to identify the key soil properties related to aggregate breakdown determined by different methods, and explore options for reducing soil crusting.

Materials and methods

Soil aggregates were collected from 0 to 5 cm depth from 20 sites managed for packet salad and lettuce production. The stability of air-dried 2.00–4.75 mm aggregates was determined by rainfall simulation, wet sieving and clay dispersion. Soil aggregates were analysed for particle size, mineralogy, soluble and exchangeable cations, pH, EC, labile carbon and total carbon. The association between aggregate stability and the measured soil properties was explored using Spearman correlation, linear regression and regression tree analysis.

Result and discussion

Aggregate stability determined by rainfall simulation was closely associated with soil properties that promote aggregation, including effective cation exchangeable capacity (ECEC) and the proportion of polyvalent cations (Ca²⁺, Al³⁺). In contrast, aggregate stability determined by wet sieving was associated with soil properties that promote disaggregation, including quartz and sand content, and to lesser extent, the proportion of monovalent cations (especially K⁺). Clay dispersion was closely associated with pH, quartz content, soil texture and the sodium adsorption ratio. Soil carbon appeared to have only moderate influence on aggregate stability, but not clay dispersion, while labile carbon was not significantly related to any measure of aggregate stability or clay dispersion. Similarly, the proportion of Na⁺ ions was not related to either measure of aggregate stability and was only moderately related to clay dispersion.

Conclusions

Options for improving aggregate stability appear limited as aggregate stability was strongly related to the content of inherent soil properties such as sand/quartz and smectite contents. However, high correlation between exchangeable Ca²⁺ and aggregate stability determined by rainfall simulation indicates that soil crusting may be reduced through application of products that rich in Ca²⁺ such as gypsum.

     

Adsorption and Desorption of Copper in Pasture Soils

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is bound strongly to organic matter, oxides of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), and clay minerals in soils. To investigate the relative contribution of different soil components in the sorption of Cu, sorption was measured after the removal of various other soil components; organic matter and aluminum (Al) and Fe oxides are important in Cu adsorption. Both adsorption and desorption of Cu at various pH values were also measured by using diverse pasture soils. The differences in the sorption of Cu between the soils are attributed to the differences in the chemical characteristics of the soils. Copper sorption, as measured by the Freundlich equation sorption constants [potassium (K) and nitrogen (N)], was strongly correlated with soil properties, such as silt content, organic carbon, and soil pH. The relative importance of organic matter and oxides on Cu adsorption decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing solution Cu concentrations. In all soils, Cu sorption increased with increasing pH, but the solution Cu concentration decreased with increasing soil pH. The cumulative amounts of native and added soil Cu desorbed from two contrasting soils (Manawatu and Ngamoka) during desorption periods showed that the differences in the desorbability of Cu were a result of differences in the physico‐chemical properties of the soil matrix. This finding suggests that soil organic matter complexes of Cu added through fertilizer, resulted in decreased desorption. The proportions of added Cu desorbed during 10 desorption periods were low, ranging from 2.5% in the 24‐h to 6% in the 2‐h desorption periods. The desorption of Cu decreased with increasing soil pH. The irreversible retention of Cu might be the result of complex formation with Cu at high pH.     

腐殖酸和溶液的pH对Na和Ca土壤粘土分散的影响

Dispersed soil clays have a negative impact on soil structure and contribute to soil erosion and contaminant movement.In this study,two typical soils from the south of China were chosen for investigating roles of pH and humic acid(HA) on dispersion of soil clays.Critical flocculation concentration (CFC) of the soil clay suspension was determined by using light transmission at a wavelength of 600 nm.The results indicated that effects of pH and HA on dispersion of the soil clays were closely related to the type of the major minerals makin up the soil and to the valence of the exchangeable cations as well.At four rates of pH(4,6,8and 10),the CFC for the Na-yellow-brown soil treated with H2O2 was increased from 0.32 to 0.56,6.0 to 14.0,10.0 to 24.6 and 26.0 to 52.0mmol L^-1 NaCl,respectively when Na-HA was added at the rate of from 0 to 40mgL^-1,With the same Na-HA addition and three pH(6,8and 10)treatments,the CFC for the Na-red soil was incresed from 0.5 to 20.0,1.0 to 40.0 and 6.0 to 141.0mmol L^-1 NaCl,respectively.Obviously,pH and HA has greater effects on clay dispersion of the red soil(dominated by 1:1 minerals and oxides) than on that of the yellow-brown soil(dominated by 2:1minerals).However,at three rates of pH(6,8and 10) and with the addition of Ca-HA from 0 to 40mg L^-1,the CFC of the Ca-yellow-brown soil and Ca-red soil treated with H2O2 was increased from 0.55 to 0.81,0.75 to 1.28,0.55 to 1.45and 0.038 to 0.266.0.25 to 0.62,0.7to 1.6mmol CaCl2 L^-1,respectively.So,Na-soil claye are more sensitive to pH and HA than Ca-soil clays.     

Charge Properties and Clay Mineral Composition of Tianbao Mountains Soils

The clay mineral association,oxides of clay fraction and surface charge properties of 7 soils,which are developed from granite,located at different altitudesof the Tianbao Mountains were studied.Results indicate that with the increase in altitude,1) the weathering process and desilicification of soil clay minerals became weaker,whereas the leaching depotassication and the formation process of hydroxy-aluminum interlayer got stronger;2)the contents of amorphous and complex aluminum and iron,and the activity of aluminum and iron oxides for soil clay fraction increased;and 3) the amount of variable negarive charge,anion exchange capacity and the values of PZC and PZNC also increased.The activity of aluminum and iron oxides,the accumulation of aluminum,and surface charge characteristics and their relation to clay oxides of the vertical zone soils were observed and recorded.     

Changes in aluminum pools of andisols due to soil acidification

Abstract

Aluminum concentrations in soil solutions are not only controlled by inorganic clay minerals but also by organically bound aluminum. The objective of this study was to determine which pools contribute to Al dissolution. Soil samples were taken at various distances from tree trunks and at various depths at the Rolling Land Laboratory (RLL), Hachioji, Tokyo. Selective dissolution techniques were used to analyze the changes in pools of solid-phase aluminum. Soil pH values around Hinoki cypresses were in the aluminum buffer range. Exchangeable aluminum contents in soils under Hinoki cypresses were 104 mmol_c kg-^?1 on the average. This value was similar to that of the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Andisols at RLL at a soil pH of 4. The relationship between the soil pH and exchangeable, organically bound, and amorphous aluminum pools showed that dissolved aluminum ions in the soil solution were primarily derived from the amorphous Al pool. Dissolved aluminum ions were substituted with base cations of soils, resulting in the increase of the content of exchangeable Al and/or the formation of complexes with organic matter which increased the proportion of organically bound Al pools. Increase in the proportion of organically bound Al pools indicated the importance of complexation with soil organic matter for controlling the aluminum concentration in the soil solution.     

Selenite adsorption by a variety of oxides

Abstract

Selenite adsorption by a variety of oxides consisting of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), manganes (Mn), and silicon (Si), and by two humic acids were investigated in order to grasp selenite behavior and fixation mechanisms in soil. It was found that selenite was apparently adsorbed even by the Mn oxides on which surface negative charge was dominant in normal pH range (pH <4). No selenite adsorption was observed in the silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and the two humic acids. A sequential extraction of adsorbed selenite with competitive anions showed the differences of binding force or stability of adsorbed selenite among the minerals. While the goethite fixed selenite strongly, selenite adsorbed on the Mn oxide was easily released to the liquid phase with other anions, such as phosphate. Each mineral had its inherent characteristic in ligand exchange reactions accompanied with selenite sorption. Selenite sorption by the Mn and the Ti oxides resulted in large increase of surface negative charge, while only a little increase in the Fe and Al oxides. Proton consumption with selenite sorption was extremely smaller for the Mn oxide than for the others.     

CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMOVAL OF IRON AND ALUMINIUM OXIDES

Red soils representing the major groups in which iron oxides are thought to exert a favourable effect on physical properties, have been treated with Na-dithionite and citrate, or Na-dithionite and 0.05 n HC1. These treatments removed the free iron oxides and some aluminium oxides and silica. Changes in the physical properties of the soils were measured by permeability, wet-sieving, mechanical dispersion, and swelling methods. These were compared with the changes induced by corresponding control treatments in which the soils were treated with Na₂SO₄ and Na-citrate, or Na₂SO₄ and 0.05 n HC1. The control treatments extracted some aluminium oxide and minor amounts of iron oxides and silica. In general, the control treatments decreased the stability of aggregates, increased the proportion of clay and silt but had little effect on the swelling. The treatments, which removed all the free iron oxide, caused no changes in excess of those due to the controls. The specific surface areas of samples treated with dithionite and acid, or sulphate and acid were determined by nitrogen adsorption methods. Removal of free iron oxides led in all but one instance to a reduction in the specific surface area, whereas sulphate and acid invariably increased the specific areas of the samples. The results show that most of the free iron oxides in these soils are present as small particles having little effect on the physical properties of the soil. The changes in physical properties brought about by dilute acid treatment indicate that the ‘active’ oxides in these soils are composed partly or wholly of the aluminium, iron, and silicon oxides which are readily soluble in dilute acid.     

Use of a three-plane model to describe charge properties of some iron oxides and soil clays

The pH-dependence of surface charge density of three iron oxides and the clay fraction of five horizons of a variable-charge soil has been studied by adsorption of potential-determining ions (p.d.i.) and by adsorption of electrolyte ions. The general trend of results for iron oxides can be satisfactorily explained by a model which considers a three-plane distribution of electric potential. When the model is applied to soil clays the outcome is less satisfactory and, although their charge properties seem to be largely determined by their high content of minerals with variable charge surfaces, the presence of minerals with a permanent charge (clay minerals) should be considered when explaining the particular data, even for those horizons where clay minerals are present in low proportions.     

The specific sorption of trace amounts of Cu,Pb, and Cd by inorganic particulates

Thin film A.S.V. was used to study the specific sorption of Cd, Pb and Cu by hydrous oxides (Mn, Fe, and Al) or clay mineral suspensions from acetate buffer solutions containing 10 to 100 μg L^?1 of each metal ion. The amount sorbed varied with system pH (range 3 to 9), substrate crystal form, the ratio of adsorbent to absorbate present, and the metal ion involved. Uptake by hydrous Mn(IV) oxide was near total over the whole pH range. With other particulates the pH required for onset of sorption varied with solid phase composition, with uptake subsequently increasing steadily with increasing pH. In general, affinity and relative uptake values followed the sequences Pb > Cu > Cd and Mn(IV) oxides > Fe(III) oxides > A1(OH)₃ > clays > iron ores. The solid phases loaded with sorbed metal were equilibrated with a range of extractant solutions used in soil/sediment studies, and the results confirmed that chemi-sorption was the main retention process. Significant release was achieved using extractants that attacked the substrate or formed stable complexes with the metal ion.     

Soil colloids-bound plasmid DNA: Effect on transformation of E. coli and resistance to DNase I degradation

The adsorption and binding of plasmid p34S DNA on four different colloidal fractions from a Brown soil and clay minerals in the presence of various Ca²⁺ concentrations, the ability of bound DNA to transform competent cells of CaCl₂-treated Escherichia coli, and the resistance of bound DNA to degradation by DNase I were studied. DNA adsorption on soil colloids and clay minerals was promoted in the presence of Ca²⁺. Kaolinite exhibited the highest adsorption affinity for DNA among the examined soil colloids and clay minerals. In comparison with organo-mineral complexes (organic clays) and fine clays (<0.2 μm), DNA was tightly adsorbed by H₂O₂-treated clays (inorganic clays) and coarse clays (0.2-2 μm). The transformation efficiency of bound DNA increased with increasing concentrations of Ca²⁺ at which soil colloid or clay mineral-DNA complexes were formed. DNA bound by kaolinite showed the lowest transformation efficiency, and especially no transformants were observed with kaolinite-DNA complex prepared at 5-100 mM Ca²⁺. Compared to organic clays and fine clays, DNA bound on inorganic clays and coarse clays showed a lower capacity to transform E. coli at different Ca²⁺ concentrations. The presence of soil colloids and minerals provided protection to DNA against degradation by DNase I. Montmorillonite, organic clays and fine clays showed stronger protective effects for DNA than inorganic clays and coarse clays. The protection mechanisms as well as the differences in transforming efficiency of plasmid DNA molecules bound on various soil colloidal particles are discussed. The information obtained in this study is of fundamental significance for the understanding of the horizontal dissemination of recombinant DNA and the fate of extracellular DNA in soil environments.     

Aggregation of soil particles by iron oxides in various size fractions of soil B horizons

Quantitative relationships between aggregation of soil particles and the content of haematite and goethite were studied by removing iron oxides, with dithionitetrate-bicarbonate (DCB) and oxalate reagents, from various sizes of soil separates which were stable to sodium hexametaphosphate, and then determining the particle-size distribution. Significant quantitative relationships were found between DCB-extractable oxides and particles obtained from the separates up to 20 pm, whereas oxalate-extractable oxides were correlated only with < 0.2-μm particles. Oxalate-extractable oxides were observed to aggregate a greater quantity of fine clay and a larger surface area of particles per gram of oxide than DCB-extractable oxides, A more efficient mechanism of aggregation was postulated for the oxalate-extractable oxides than for the DCB-extractable oxides. There were fewer aggregated particles in soils containing haematite and goethite than in soils containing only goethite. This was attributed to differences in pedoenvironment, rather than to a difference in the behaviour of the oxides. Although various clay minerals were identified in the soils studied, no preferential aggregation of any mineral was observed.     

长期不同施肥对塿土团聚体胶结剂的影响

【目的】土壤团聚体是土壤结构的基本单元,其形成和稳定与土壤中各种胶结剂的胶结作用有关,而团聚体胶结剂受土壤管理措施的影响,其中不同的施肥量及施肥措施影响作物生长进而影响土壤团聚体的胶结剂。本研究利用冬小麦一夏玉米轮作体系中不同施肥模式的(?)土长期定位试验,通过研究不同施肥模式对团聚体胶结剂的影响探讨(?)土团聚体的形成和分布的机理。【方法】试验设不施肥(CK)、单施氮(N)、氮磷(NP)、氮钾(NK)、磷钾(PK)、氮磷钾(NPK)、秸秆还田与氮磷钾(SNPK)、有机肥与氮磷钾(M1NPK和M2NPK)配施共9个处理。于2011年冬小麦收获前和2013年冬小麦收获后测定土壤团聚体胶结剂包括真菌菌丝密度、五碳糖、六碳糖、碳酸钙、粘粒以及游离氧化铁铝。【结果】不同施肥处理显著影响土壤表层(0-10 cm)和亚表层(10-20 cm)土壤团聚体胶结剂的含量。在0-10 cm土层,长期秸秆还田、有机肥与化肥配施处理与CK相比均显著降低了土壤菌丝密度也降低了碳酸钙含量但显著提高了土壤五碳糖和六碳糖含量而对粘粒(M2NPK除外)、游离氧化铁以及游离氧化铝含量没有显著影响。长期施用氮磷化肥(NP、NPK)也显著提高了土壤五碳糖含量显著降低了碳酸钙含量,提高了粘粒含量,降低了土壤菌丝密度对六碳糖、游离氧化铁和游离氧化铝含量没有影响。N、NK、PK处理的土壤五碳糖含量显著提高粘粒和游离氧化铁含量也有所提高,但对菌丝(PK除外)、六碳糖、碳酸钙以及游离氧化铝含量没有影响。10-20 cm土层,长期秸秆还田、有机肥与化肥配施与CK相比也提高了五碳糖和六碳糖含量显著降低了土壤菌丝密度和游离氧化铝含量而碳酸钙、粘粒、游离氧化铁差异不显著。长期施用氮磷化肥显著提高了土壤五碳糖含量,降低了土壤菌丝密度以及游离氧化铝含量但是六碳糖、碳酸钙、粘粒、游离氧化铁含量与CK没有差异。长期不施氮或不施磷处理与CK相比土壤五碳糖、六碳糖、碳酸钙以及游离氧化铁的含量显著提高但游离氧化铝含量显著降低而对菌丝和粘粒含量没有影响。不同团聚体胶结剂与团聚体平均重量直径的线性相关分析表明机械稳定性团聚体平均重量直径与碳酸钙含量呈极显著正相关、与游离氧化铁显著正相关与五碳糖和六碳糖极显著负相关。水稳性团聚体平均重量直径分别与菌丝密度、碳酸钙极显著正相关,与游离氧化铁显著正相关与五碳糖达显著负相关。【结论】团聚体胶结剂与平均重量直径的多元逐步回归分析表明,碳酸钙是影响(?)土团聚体稳定性唯一显著的胶结剂。     

Phosphate sorption by red mediterranean soils from Greece

Abstract

In nineteen surface horizons of red Mediterranean soils from various locations of Greece, phosphorus (P) sorption experiments were conducted and the sorption characteristics were studied in relation to soil properties. Phosphate sorption data were fitted both to the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. From these equations, the following P sorption parameters were determined from the Freundlich equation, X = ACⁿ, the parameters A (the phosphate sorbed at C = 1 mg P/L), n (the P sorption intensity), the P sorption index (PS = X/log C) and maximum P sorption (Xmfr). From the Langmuir equation, C/X = 1/KXm + C/Xm, the parameters K (showing the bonding energy), maximum P sorption (Xmla), the quantity of P adsorbed at a standard concentration of 0.2 mg P/L (P0.2), and P maximum buffering capacity (PMBC). The Freundlich parameter A was strongly correlated to the clay and sesquioxides ("free”; iron and aluminum oxides and amorphous iron oxides) content. Seventy‐four percent of the variance of this parameter was explained by clay and “free”; iron (Fe) content. The Freundlich parameter n was significantly correlated with pH and amorphous iron oxides content, while 52% of its variance was explained by amorphous Fe and dithionite extrac‐table aluminum (Al). The P sorption maxima calculated from the Freundlich equation were in general lower than those calculated by the Langmuir equation. Both these parameters were strongly correlated with clay and more slightly with sesquioxides content. About 50% of their variance was explained by clay content of the soils. The P sorption index was strongly correlated with the clay content and less strongly with dithionite‐extractable Fe and Al. The P‐buffering capacity calculated from the data of Langmuir equation was also strongly correlated with these two parameters. In addition, clay content and dithionite‐extractable Fe and Al were well correlated to the amounts of P required to obtain an equilibrium concentration of 0.2 mg P/L while 61% of the variation of this parameter was explained by the clay and the dithionite‐extractable Fe content. From these findings, it seems that for the red Mediterranean soils from Greece, P sorption is affected by clay content and iron and aluminum oxide contents.     

平原区水田改林地后土壤黏土矿物及氧化铁的变化

近年来水田改为林地在我国南方地区非常普遍,为了解这种转变对土壤矿物(黏土矿物和氧化铁)演变的影响,在浙江省平原地区构建了4个水田改林地系列土壤,采用野外调查和室内分析相结合的方法,研究水田改林地后土壤剖面中氧化铁形态和黏土矿物类型的演变规律。结果表明,改林地后,土壤剖面中全铁含量变化不明显,耕作层和犁底层土壤游离氧化铁有轻微增加趋势。改林地15～20 a后,4个系列土壤耕作层活性铁和活化度降幅分别在18.0%～38.4%和24.7%～48.9%;耕作层土壤铁氧化物的晶胶比增幅在0.73倍～1.62倍;耕作层土壤亚铁含量明显下降,降幅最高达95.8%,变异系数达到143.9%;耕作层络合铁降幅在21.3%～36.2%,并与有机质呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。改林地后,犁底层土壤中绿泥石相对含量及其与高岭石的比值都呈降低趋势,其他黏土矿物相对含量变化规律不明显,土壤有机质显著下降,土壤明显酸化。土壤铁氧化物形态和数量的变化对土壤结构以及土壤重金属的迁移转化等产生重要影响。     

Chemistry of soil aluminum

Abstract

Better understanding of soil aluminum has had dramatic effects on the interpretation of many aspects of soil chemistry. Aluminum is a Group III element, metallic in nature, and exhibits both ionic and cuvaient bonding. It is the most plentiful of all metallic cations of the earth's crust. It is released from octahedral coordination with oxygen in minerals by weathering processes. Once released, the trivalent Al ion assumes octahedral coordination with six OH₂ groups each of which dissociates a H ion in sequence as pH increases. The resulting hydroxy‐Al ions are absorbed to the cation exchange capacity of the soil. Here they polymerize on charged surfaces and in the interlayers of the clay minerals obstructing both the contraction of the clay lattice and the exchange of cations. Soluble Al is toxic to most plants, and reacts readily with soluble phosphates converting them to relatively insoluble and plant‐unavailable forms. Adsorbed and polymerized aluminum affects actual lime requirements of soils by its acidic nature and indicated lime requirements by its effect on the buffers of the lime requirement test. The level of exchangeable Al has been suggested as an Index of lime requirement of acid soils, but this may be an adequate Index for liming only on highly weathered soils.     

Evaluation of arsenite sorption in Spanish soils

Abstract

Arsenite sorption was studied at different temperatures (30,40, and 50°C) to investigate processes that remove arsenite from soil solution (adsorption or precipitation), and if adsorption was taking place, how many sites were involved in this process, and their nature. Adsorption was the only reaction reducing levels of soluble arsenite in the two alkaline soils used in this experiment, Jijona and Agost; however, arsenite precipitation occurred in an acidic substrate (pH 4.0), Galicia soil. Iron (Fe) oxides and clay minerals were the soil components controlling arsenite sorption in the Jijona soil (pH 7.9 and high levels of Fe oxides). Calcite and clay minerals were the inorganic constituents involved in arsenite sorption in the Agost soil (pH 8.0 and high levels of CaCO₃). Arsenite sorption was an endothermic and non‐spontaneous process. The fact that the higher the temperature, the higher the arsenite sorption, however, was likely due to an increase in the diffusion rate.     

Adsorption,activity, and kinetics of acid phosphatase as influenced by selected oxides and clay minerals

Abstrac

The effects of 3 oxides (Fe, Al, and Mn oxides) and 3 clay minerals (kaolin, montmorillonite, and allophane) on the adsorption and subsequent kinetic properties of acid phosphatase were compared. The amount of enzyme adsorbed by the oxides and clay minerals followed the order: montmorillonite ? kaolin > Mn oxide > Fe oxide > Al oxide ? allophane. The adsorption isotherms of the enzyme on the oxides and clay minerals, except for montmorillonite and allophane, fitted the Langmuir equation. The activity of the enzyme immobilized by the inorganic components studied was in the order of allophane > kaolin > Fe oxide > montmorillonite > Al oxide ≒ Mn oxide. Compared to the free enzyme, the V _max, K_m, and V _max / K _m values of the immobilized enzyme decreased, increased, and decreased, respectively. Among the oxides or clay minerals, the higher the ability of the inorganic components to adsorb the enzyme, the lower the value of the V _max / K _m ratio of the immobilized enzyme. These findings suggest that the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme complexes formed is determined by the adsorbability of the inorganic components for the enzyme.     

Surface chemical properties and pedogenesis of tropical soils derived from basalts with different ages in Hainan,China

Limited information is available on the changes of surface chemical properties of tropical soils with time during the pedogenesis. Soil samples of three profiles derived from basalts of 10, 1330 and 2290 kilo annum (ka) in age were collected from adjacent locations in a tropical region of Hainan Province, China. The changes in soil surface chemical properties and the mineralogy of the soil clay fraction with time were investigated using ion adsorption, micro-electrophoresis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The content of 2:1-type clay minerals decreased, while those of kaolinite and gibbsite increased with increasing basalt age and degree of soil development. The content of pedogenic free iron (Fe) oxides and the ratio of free Fe oxides/total Fe oxides increased with soil development stage, while soil poorly crystalline Fe and aluminum (Al) oxides had an opposite trend. The positive surface charge of the soils increased with increasing basalt age and degree of soil development; this was consistent with the change in their contents of free Fe/Al oxides. However, the value of negative surface charge had an opposite behavior. The soil derived from 10-ka-basalt had much more negative charge than soils derived from 1330- and 2290-ka-basalt. Soil net surface charge and zeta potential of the soil clay-fraction decreased with the increase in basalt age. Both net charge–pH curves and zeta potential–pH curves shifted to positive values with increased basalt age and degree of soil development. Increasing age also elevated the point of zero net charge of the soil and the isoelectric point of soil colloids.