Nitrogen fertilizer–induced mineralization of soil organic C and N in six contrasting soils of Bangladesh

A 90‐day laboratory incubation study was carried out using six contrasting subtropical soils (calcareous, peat, saline, noncalcareous, terrace, and acid sulfate) from Bangladesh. A control treatment without nitrogen (N) application was compared with treatments where urea, ammonium sulfate (AS), and ammonium nitrate (AN) were applied at a rate of 100 mg N (kg soil)^–1. To study the effect of N fertilizers on soil carbon (C) turnover, the CO₂‐C flux was determined at nine sampling dates during the incubation, and the total loss of soil carbon (TC) was calculated. Nitrogen turnover was characterized by measuring net nitrogen mineralization (NNM) and net nitrification (NN). Simple and stepwise multiple regressions were calculated between CO₂‐C flux, TC, NNM, and NN on the one hand and selected soil properties (organic C, total N, C : N ratio, CEC, pH, clay and sand content) on the other hand. In general, CO₂‐C fluxes were clearly higher during the first 2 weeks of the incubation compared to the later phases. Soils with high pH and/or indigenous C displayed the highest CO₂‐C flux. However, soils having low C levels (i.e., calcareous and terrace soils) displayed a large relative TC loss (up to 22.3%) and the added N–induced TC loss from these soils reached a maximum of 10.6%. Loss of TC differed depending on the N treatments (urea > AS > AN >> control). Significantly higher NNM was found in the acidic soils (terrace and acid sulfate). On average, NNM after urea application was higher than for AS and AN (80.3 vs. 71.9 and 70.9 N (kg soil)^–1, respectively). However, specific interactions between N‐fertilizer form and soil type have to be taken into consideration. High pH soils displayed larger NN (75.9–98.1 mg N (kg soil)^–1) than low pH soils. Averaged over the six soils, NN after application of urea and AS (83.3 and 82.2 mg N (kg soil)^–1, respectively) was significantly higher than after application of AN (60.6 mg N (kg soil)^–1). Significant relationships were found between total CO₂ flux and certain soil properties (organic C, total N, CEC, clay and sand content). The most important soil property for NNM as well as NN was soil pH, showing a correlation coefficient of –0.33** and 0.45***, respectively. The results indicate that application of urea to acidic soils and AS to high‐pH soils could be an effective measure to improve the availability of added N for crop uptake.     

ELECTRIC CHARGE CHARACTERISTICS OF ANDO A, AND BURIED A, HORIZON SOILS

The electric charge characteristics of four Ando soils (A₁ and μA₁) and a Chernozemic soil (Ap) were studied by measuring retention of NH₄⁺ and Cl^– at different pH values and NH₄Cl concentrations. No positive charge appeared in the Ando soils at pH values 5 to 8.5 except for one containing allophane and imogolite. The magnitude of their negative charge (CEC; meq/l00g soil) was dependent on pH and NH₄Cl concentration (C; N) as represented by a regression equation: log CEC =a pH +b log C +c, where the values of a and b were 0.113–0.342 and 0.101–0.315, respectively. Unlike the Chernozemic soil, Ando soils containing allophane, imogolite, and/or 2:1–2:1:1 layer silicate intergrades and humus showed a marked reduction of cation retention as pH decreased from 7 to 5. This was attributed to the charge characteristics of the clay minerals and to the carboxyl groups in humus being blocked by Al and Fe.     

Ammonia toxicity in aerobic rice: use of soil properties to predict ammonia volatilization following urea application and the adverse effects on germination

Recent studies indicate that aerobic rice can suffer injury from ammonia toxicity when urea is applied at seeding. Urea application rate and soil properties influence the accumulation of ammonia in the vicinity of recently sown seeds and hence influence the risk of ammonia toxicity. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effects of urea rate on ammonia volatilization and subsequent seed germination for a range of soils, (ii) establish a critical level for ammonia toxicity in germinating rice seeds and (iii) assess how variation in soil properties influences ammonia accumulation. Volatilized ammonia and seed germination were measured in two micro‐diffusion incubations using 15 soils to which urea was applied at five rates (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 g N kg^?1 soil). Progressively larger urea rates increased volatilization, decreased germination and indicated a critical level for ammonia toxicity of approximately 7 mg N kg^?1. Stepwise regression of the first three principal components indicated that the initial pH and soil texture components influenced ammonia volatilization when no N was added. At the intermediate N rate all three components (initial pH, soil texture and pH buffering) affected ammonia volatilization. At the largest N rate, ammonia volatilization was driven by soil texture and pH buffering while the role of initial pH was insignificant. For soils with an initial pH > 6.0 the risk of excessive volatilization increased dramatically when clay content was <150 mg kg^?1, cation exchange capacity (CEC) was <10 cmol_c kg^?1 and the buffer capacity (BC) was <2.5 cmol_c kg^?1 pH^?1. These findings suggest that initial pH, CEC, soil texture and BC should all be used to assess the site‐specific risks of urea‐induced ammonia toxicity in aerobic rice.     

Mutual relationships of biochar and soil pH,CEC, and exchangeable base cations in a model laboratory experiment

Purpose

The majority of biochar studies use soils with only a narrow range of properties making generalizations about the effects of biochar on soils difficult. In this study, we aimed to identify soil properties that determine the performance of biochar produced at high temperature (700 °C) on soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable base cation (Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) content across a wide range of soil physicochemical properties.

Materials and methods

Ten distinct soils with varying physicochemical properties were incubated for 12 weeks with four rates of biochar application (0.5, 2, 4, and 8% w/w). Soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable base cations (Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺) were determined on the 7th and 84th day of incubation.

Results and discussion

Our results indicate that the highest biochar application rate (8%) was more effective at altering soil properties than lower biochar rates. Application of 8% biochar increased pH significantly in all incubated soils, with the increment ranging up to 1.17 pH unit. Biochar induced both an increment and a decline in soil CEC ranging up to 35.4 and 7.9%, respectively, at a biochar application rate of 8%. Similarly, biochar induced increments in exchangeable Ca²⁺ up to 38.6% and declines up to 11.4%, at an 8% biochar application rate. The increment in CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content was found in soils with lower starting exchangeable Ca²⁺ contents than the biochar added, while decreases were observed in soils with higher exchangeable Ca²⁺ contents than the biochar. The original pH, CEC, exchangeable Ca²⁺, and texture of the soils represented the most crucial factors for determining the amount of change in soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content.

Conclusions

Our findings clearly demonstrate that application of a uniform biochar to a range of soils under equivalent environmental conditions induced two contradicting effects on soil properties including soil CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content. Therefore, knowledge of both biochar and soil properties will substantially improve prediction of biochar application efficiency to improve soil properties. Among important soil properties, soil exchangeable Ca²⁺ content is the primary factor controlling the direction of biochar-induced change in soil CEC and exchangeable Ca²⁺ content. Generally, biochar can induce changes in soil pH, CEC, and exchangeable Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ with the effectiveness and magnitude of change closely related to the soil’s original properties.

     

Schwermetallverteilung und Tongehalte in Böden

Heavy metal distribution and clay contents in soils . In soil profiles differing considerably in horizon pattern and parent material the contents of Mn, Zn, Cu and Co were correlated with those of clay (and CEC), of total Fe (and dithionite soluble Fe) and - after relation to clay - with C. The correlations with clay, CEC, Fe_t and Fe_d were in all cases positive and highly significant, though differing between the different metals and between the references. Deviations for all elements are due to lithogenic differences in soils from mesozoic sediments and for Mn also due to its lower pedogenic stability. The correlations with C were not significant, since O horizons were not yet investigated. The ‘mobility’ of the heavy metals ( = EDTA + NH₄O Ac-extractable in relation to total amount) in topsoils could be more correlated (negative) with the reserves than with other soil features. Relating the ‘immobile’ heavy metal contents to the other soil features considerably improved the correlations.     

Unlocking fixed soil phosphorus upon waterlogging can be promoted by increasing soil cation exchange capacity

Phosphorus (P) adsorbed by iron (Fe) oxyhydroxides in soil can be released when the Fe(III) minerals are reductively dissolved after soil flooding. However, this release is limited in tropical soils with large Fe contents and previous studies have suggested that P sorbs or precipitates with newly formed Fe(II) minerals. This hypothesis is tested here by scavenging Fe²⁺ in flooded soils by increasing the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil through resin application (30 cmol_c kg^?1; Na‐form). Three soils from rice paddies with contrasting properties were incubated in aerobic and anaerobic conditions with or without resin and with or without addition of organic matter (OM) to stimulate redox reactions. Dissolved Fe was 0.1–1.1 mm in unamended anaerobic soils and decreased to less than 0.07 mm with resin addition. Anaerobic soils without resin and aerobic soils with or without resin had marginal available P concentrations (<2 mg P kg^?1; anion‐exchange membrane P). In contrast, available P increased 3‐ to 14‐fold in anaerobic soils treated with resins, reaching 16 mg P kg^?1 in combination with extra OM. Application of Ca‐forms of resin did not stimulate P availability and dissolved Ca concentrations were larger than in unamended soils. Resin addition can increase P availability, probably by a combination of reducing solution Fe²⁺ (thereby limiting the formation of Fe(II) minerals) and increasing the OM solubility and availability through reducing dissolved Ca²⁺. The soil CEC is a factor controlling the net P release in submerged soils.     

Exploration of soils developing on volcanic materials on the island of Milos,Greece

The island of Milos (Greece), part of the South Aegean volcanic arc with a typical Mediterranean climate, is covered with volcanic deposits of different ages. The objective of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of the soils developing on these volcanic deposits and their classification. Samples were taken from seven locations of soil on different parent material and of different ages. There were substantial differences in their particle size distribution, with sand ranging from 19% to 92%, silt from 3.5% to 50%, and clay from 5% to 46%. Organic matter content was low (< 2.0%). The soil pH ranged from 5.6 to 8.0. In two of the profiles, CaCO₃ equivalents of 1.4% to 24.6% were found and a calcic horizon identified. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) and specific surface area (SSA) varied between profiles ranging from 3 cmol₍₊₎ kg^− 1 to 47 cmol₍₊₎ kg^− 1 and 30 m² g^− 1 to 380 m² g^− 1, respectively. The soils exhibited high base saturation. The amounts of Al, Fe and Si extracted with ammonium oxalate (Αl_o, Fe_o and Si_o) were particularly low (< 0.1%, < 0.17%, and < 0.1%, respectively) which demonstrates the absence of amorphous clay-silicate minerals (allophane). Fe extracted with dithionite citrate bicarbonate — DCB (Fe_d) was greater than Fe_o sharing the dominance of crystalline Fe oxides. Al and Si extracted with hot 0.5 M NaOH (Al₂Ο_3NaOH and SiΟ_2NaOH) and with Τiron-C₆H₄Na₂O₈S₂, (Al₂Ο_3Τ and SiΟ_2Τ). SiΟ_2NaOH and SiΟ_2Τ were particularly high (mean values 3.4% and 4.5%, respectively), showing that amorphous silica was present. The clay fraction of the soil was dominated by the presence of 2:1 (vermiculite and smectite) and 1:1 (kaolinite) clay-silicates. Al_o+ 1/2Fe_o was low (< 0.18%), while the P-retention in most soils was less than 15%. These soils do not exhibit andic properties and hence cannot be classified as Andisols. The silica saturation index (ISS) may be used for these soils to describe a pedogenetic environment rich in Si which favours the formation of pedogenic amorphous silica. The climate is the major determinant of the evolution of these soils.     

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition)

The electrokinetic behavior of colloidal particles in three waterlogged soils at 38°C was investigated with reference to the stability changes of soil colloidal suspensions under reductive conditions. The dispersed clay particles of the three soils exhibited a negative zeta (ζ) potential. The absolute value of the ζ-potential, |-ζ|, of these soils in the earlier period of waterlogging decreased, which caused the flocculation of clay particles. The concentrations of divalent cations, i.e., Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the soil solutions were estimated to be higher than their critical flocculation concentrations (CFCs) on the basis of the observed CFCs of Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺ for the clay suspension of halloysite as a reference. With the progression of the reduction process, clay particles of one soil still exhibited a low |- ζ| and flocculated. The concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the soil solutions were estimated to be higher than their CFCs, respectively. The clay particles of two sandy soils, however, showed an increase in |- ζ| due to the increase in pH and dispersed. The concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the soil solutions were estimated to be lower than their CFCs, respectively. The stability changes of the soil colloidal suspensions by these divalent cations under sequential soil-reduction can be explained by the alteration of the Stern potential (- ψ _s ), which determines the repulsion energy related to the potential energy of interaction between two particles. The apparent decrease in the Ca²⁺ concentration of the soil solutions in the later period of waterlogging was explained largely by the re-adsorption of water-soluble Ca²⁺ on the exchange sites of soil clays with the decrease in the Fe²⁺ concentration in the soil solution.     

Exchangeable cations and CEC determinations of some highly weathered soils

Abstract

Eight methods to determine exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were compared for some highly weathered benchmark soils of Alabama. The methods were: (1) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 by replacement (for CEC only), (2) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), (3) 1N NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺), (4) 0.1M BaCl₂ (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable Mn, Fe and Al), (5) Mehlich 1 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), (6) Mehlich 1 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺), (7) Mehlich 3 (summation of basic cations plus 1N KCl extractable Al), and (8) Mehlich 3 (summation of basic cations plus exchangeable H⁺). The 0.1M BaCl₂ was chosen as the standard method for the highly weathered soils and the other methods compared to it. The results indicated that the 1N NH₄OAc replacement method gave significantly higher CEC values compared to the summation methods. This was probably due to the overestimation of the field CEC caused by measurement of pH dependent cation exchange sites in these soils. There was, however, close agreement between the BaCl₂ method and the summation methods that included extractable Al. The generally good agreement between these summation methods suggests that the Mehlich 1 and Mehlich 3 extractants, commonly used to determine available nutrients in the southeastem USA, may also be used to measure effective CEC of some acid‐rich sesquioxide benchmark soils of Alabama. However, 1N KCl extractable Al as opposed to exchangeable H⁺ should be included in the computation.     

The effect of soil pH manipulation on chemical properties of an agricultural soil from northern Idaho

Abstract

Selected chemical properties of an artificially acidified agricultural soil from northern Idaho were evaluated in a laboratory study. Elemental S and Ca(OH)₂were used to manipulate the soil pH of a Latahco silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, frigid Argiaquic Xeric Argialboll), which had an initial pH of 5.7. A 100 day incubation period resulted in a soil pH manipulation range of 3.3 to 7.0. Chemical properties evaluated included: N mineralization rate, extractable P, AI, Mn, Ca, Mg and K and CEC. N mineralization rate (assessed by anaerobic incubation) decreased with decreasing soil pH. Nitrification rate also decreased as NH₄ ⁺‐N accumulated under acid soil conditions. Sodium acetate extractable P was positively linearly correlated (R²= 0.87) with soil pH over the entire pH range evaluated. Potassium chloride extractable Al was less than 1.3 mg kg^‐1of soil at pH values higher than 4.4. Consequently, potential Al toxicity problems in these soils are minimal. Extractable Mn increased with decreasing soil pH. Soil CEC, extractable Mg, and extractable K all decreased with increasing soil pH from 3.3 to 7.0. Extractable Ca levels were largely unaffected by changing soil pH. It is likely that the availability of N and P would be the most adversely affected parameters by soil acidification     

Improving on the Prediction of Cation Exchange Capacity for Highly Weathered and Structurally Contrasting Tropical Soils from Their Fine-Earth Fractions

The roles of fine-earth materials in the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of especially homogenous units of the kaolinitic and oxyhydroxidic tropical soils are still unclear. The CEC (pH 7) of some coarse-textured soils from southeastern Nigeria were related to their total sand, coarse sand (CS), fine sand (FS), silt, clay, and organic-matter (OM) contents before and after partitioning the dataset into topsoils and subsoils and into very-low-, low-, and moderate-/high-stability soils. The soil-layer categories showed similar CEC values; the stability categories did not. The CEC increased with decreasing CS but with increasing FS. Silt correlated negatively with the CEC, except in the moderate- to high-stability soils. Conversely, clay and OM generally impacted positively on the CEC. The best-fitting linear CEC function (R², 68%) was attained with FS, clay, and OM with relative contributions of 26, 38, and 36%, respectively. However, more reliable models were attained after partitioning by soil layer (R², 71–76%) and by soil stability (R², 81–86%). Notably FS's contribution to CEC increased while clay's decreased with increasing soil stability. Clay alone satisfactorily modeled the CEC for the very-low-stability soils, whereas silt contributed more than OM to the CEC of the moderate- to high-stability soils. These results provide new evidence about the cation exchange behavior of FS, silt, and clay in structurally contrasting tropical soils.     

Studies of nitrogen immobilization and mineralization in calcareous soils—I: Distribution of immobilized nitrogen amongst soil fractions of different particle size and density

¹⁵NO₃^? was immobilized in a calcareous clay and a calcareous sandy soil during incubation of each soil with glucose and wheat straw. Changes in the distribution of immobilized ¹⁵N amongst soil extracts and soil fractions of different particle size and density were determined during periods of net N immobilization.The nature of the organic-C amendment, but not soil type, significantly influenced both the distribution of the immobilized ¹⁵N and the pattern of changes of the organic-¹⁵N of soil fractions with time. In straw-amended soils, approx. 20% of the organic-¹⁵N became associated with a light fraction, sp. gr. < 1.59, the remainder becoming distributed mainly amongst the silt and clay fractions. In glucoseamended soils, very little (< 1.2%) of the ¹⁵N was immobilized in the light fraction, sp. gr. < 1.59, most being rapidly distributed amongst the silt and clay fractions. During a period of complete immobilization, organic-¹⁵N was transferred from the fine clay to the silt and coarse clay fractions.Silt, coarse clay and fine clay components from glucose-amended soils sampled at the end of the net immobilization phase were further fractionated densimetrically into light (sp. gr. < 2.06) and heavy (sp. gr. > 2.06) subfractions. The organic-¹⁵N of respective light subfractions accounted for 43–64% of the total organic-¹⁵N of the silt, 1–9% of that of the coarse clay and 19–21% of that of the fine clay fractions.     

The Magnetic Susceptibility and Iron Oxides of Aquic Soils in Southern Iran

An investigation of the effect of aquic conditions on Fe-oxides distribution and magnetic susceptibility (χ_lf) was conducted on selected soils from Southern Iran. Seven pairs of adjacent soil pedons with different soil moisture regimes (aquic and non-aquic), were selected. The average concentrations of poorly crystalline Fe (Fe_o) and total free Fe (Fe_d) in aquic soils were 0.2 and 0.07% respectively, and 0.45 and 0.9% in non-aquic soils, respectively. The ratio of Fe_o/Fe_d varied from 0.03 to 0.64. χ_lf ranged from 1.8 to 113 × 10^?8 m³ kg^?1 in the soil studied. The variation of χ_fd ranged from 0.0 to 9.65%. The χ_fd values observed in non-aquic soils were larger than in aquic soils (4.00% vs. 1.37%). Positive correlations were observed between χ and clay contents in both aquic and non-aquic soils; however, non-aquic soil samples showed a larger coefficient of determination. A positive correlation existed between χ_fd and χ in aquic and non-aquic soils. Higher values of χ_fd were observed at the soil surface of non-aquic soil samples than at deeper levels, suggesting a greater proportion of ultrafine grains. Of the soil properties that were assessed, clay, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), Fe_d, Fe_o/Fe_d ratio, χ_lf and χ_fd contents, changed significantly in response to the aquic condition.     

Cation-exchange properties of soil organic matter

The CEC was determined for humic acid preparations by changing the conditions for the CEC procedure and the CEC values obtained were compared with those of clay minerals. Humic acid was extracted from Kodonbaru and Kuriyagawa surface soils, Iwanuma peat, and straw with 0.1 M Na₄P₂O₇-0.l M NaOH. The CEC was measured by a method which eliminates washing for the removal of excess saturating salt.

The CEC of humic acid became larger as humification progressed, and increased in the order: Straw<Iwanuma<Kuriyagawa<Kodonbaru. An equilibrium of cation exchange for the humic acid preparations was attained in a short time in contrast with that for allophane. No effect of salt concentration on the CEC of the humic acid preparations was recognized. The CEC of humic acid was also determine using the procedure in which tbe excess salt was removed by washing with water. Practically no decrease of CEC with decreasing salt concentration was found. When the pH of the salt solution WBB reduced, the em: of the humic acid decreased, though the extent of the decrease was smaller than that of allophane. The CEC of halloysite and montmorillonite did not decrease through reduction of the pH of the salt solution. It was considered that humic acid is a stronger acid than allophane and a weaker acid than halloysite and montmorillonite. The difference between the CEC of humic add measured with Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ was small. Little temperature effect was observed for humic acid.     

Influence of Increasing Soil Copper Concentration on the Susceptibility of Phosphomonoesterase and Urease to Heat Disturbance

The sorption of chromium (Cr) species to soil has become the focus of research as it dictates the bioavailability and also the magnitude of toxicity of Cr. The sorption of two environmentally important Cr species [Cr(III) and Cr(VI)] was examined using batch sorption, and the data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The effects of soil properties such as pH, CEC, organic matter (OM), clay, water-extractable SO₄ ^2– and PO₄ ^3–, surface charge, and different iron (Fe) fractions of 12 different Australian representative soils on the sorption, and mobility of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were examined. The amount of sorption as shown by K _f was higher for Cr(III) than Cr(VI) in all tested soils. Further, the amount of Cr(III) sorbed increased with an increase in pH, CEC, clay, and OM of soils. Conversely, the chemical properties of soil such as positive charge and Fe (crystalline) had a noticeable influence on the sorption of Cr(VI). Desorption of Cr(VI) occurred rapidly and was greater than desorption of Cr(III) in soils. The mobility of Cr species as estimated by the retardation factor was higher for Cr(VI) than for Cr(III) in all tested soils. These results concurred with the results from leaching experiments which showed higher leaching of Cr(VI) than Cr(III) in both acidic and alkaline soils indicating the higher mobility of Cr(VI) in a wide range of soils. This study demonstrated that Cr(VI) is more mobile and will be bioavailable in soils regardless of soil properties and if not remediated may eventually pose a severe threat to biota.     

Factors affecting the structural stability of three contrasting soils of China

The structural stability of eight samples representing three soil profiles from tropical and subtropical regions of China (Latosol, Red Earth and Yellow Brown Earth) was studied by dispersion treatments. The samples were treated with the following solutions in order without previous mechanical disruption: (I) H₂O, (II) 0.1 N NaCl, (III) 0.002% Na₂CO₃, (IV) 0.1 N NaOH, (V) acid oxalate, (VI) 0.1N NaOH. These procedures were designed to disperse soil samples by removal of potentially aggregating substances and by anion adsorption. After each treatment the clay dispersed was separated by sedimentation and its mineralogical composition was studied by XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements to assess the role of mineralogy in the maintenance of soil structure. The amounts of iron extracted by Na-dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate were 9.6–10.8% in the Latosol, 3.1–3.4% in the Red Earth and 0.9–2.1% in the Yellow Brown Earth. It was concentrated in clay fractions and existed mainly as superdispersed particles. The hematite/goethite ratio varied from 1.7 for the Latosol to 0.2 for the Yellow Brown Earth. The clay fraction of the Yellow Brown Earth is vermiculitic and has a permanent negative charge. This soil's structural stability is mainly influenced by exchangeable Ca²⁺. In the Latosol and the Red Earth, surfaces with variable (pH-dependent) charges prevail because of the large free Fe-oxides contents. Alkaline treatment (IV) promoted most dispersion of these soils, indicating the mainly electrostatic nature of interactions between mineral particles. Thus, the role of the Fe oxide minerals in these soils is one of aggregation rather than cementation. The aggregation properties of the Latosol and Red Earth are relict paleosol features inherited from an earlier period of cooler and wetter climate than the present.     

Effect of pH on Zinc Adsorption and Solubility in Suspensions of Different Clays and Soils

Zinc solubility in clay and soil suspensions was controlled by chemisorption at pH 4.5 – 7.0. The solubility in clay mineral suspensions was in the order palygorskite < montmorillonite « kaolinite and reflected the high affinity of zinc to palygorskite and the high CEC of montmorillonite. The solubility in soil suspensions was in the order Haplustoll < Torrifluvents and reflected the effect of high CEC and organic matter content of the first. The slopes of the pH-pZn curves, calculated zinc potential and sequential desorption data suggested that Zn⁺⁺ ? Zn(OH)₂ aqueous controlled the solubility of zinc in soil and clay mineral suspensions at pH 7.5 – 9.0. The slopes of the pH–pZn curves of two soils were, however, modified by the possible peptization of organic matter and Zn(OH)₂.     

Effect of flooding on physico-chemical changes in sodic soils

Laboratory experiments were conducted with sodic soils of varying exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) (82, 65, 40, and 22) and a normal soil (ESP 4) to study the changes with time in soil pH, pCO₂, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ under submerged conditions with and without 1.0 per cent rice husk. In all the soils pCO₂, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ increased after flooding, reached the maximum value and then either maintained or declined slightly. The release of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ was maximum in normal soil and decreased with increase of ESP in sodic soils. Addition of rice husk brought about a conspicuous increase in Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺, the maximum increase being in lowest ESP soil. Flooding reduced the pH of all soils. The effect was more pronounced in the presence of rice husk. The kinetics of pCO₂ indicated that accumulation of CO₂ was higher in normal soil and least in highest ESP soil. The addition of rice husk showed an average increase of 0.0074 atm pCO₂ in comparison to rice husk untreated soils.     

Cation exchange capacity measurements

Abstract

Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements are important criteria for soil fertility management, vaste disposal on soils, and soil taxonomy. The objective of this research was to compare CEC values for arable Ultisols from the humid region of the United States as determined by procedures varying widely in their chemical conditions during measurement. Exchangeable cation quantities determined in the course of two of the CEC procedures were also evaluated. The six procedures evaluated were: (1) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity; (2) N Ca(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) saturation with Mg(OAc)₂ (pH 7.0) displacement of Ca²⁺; (3) N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) saturation with NaCl displacement of NH₄ ⁺; (4) N MgCl₂ saturation with N KCl displacement of Mg²⁺; (5) compulsive exchange of Mg²⁺ for Ba²⁺; and (6) summation of N NH₄OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus N KCl exchangeable AJ. The unbuffered procedures reflect the pH dependent CEC component to a greater degree than the buffered methods. The compulsive exchange and the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus N KCl exchangeable Al procedures gave CEC estimates of the same magnitude that reflect differences in soil pH and texture. The buffered procedures, particularly the summation of N NH₄OAc exchangeable cations plus BaCl₂ ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity, indicated inflated CEC values for these acid Ultisols that are seldom limed above pH 6.5. Exchangeable soil Ca and Mg levels determined from extraction with 0.1 M BaCl₂ were consistently greater than values for the N NH₄Oac (pH 7.0) extractions. The Ba²⁺ ion is apparently a more efficient displacing agent than the NH₄ ⁺ ion. Also, the potential for dissolving unreacted limestone is greater for the Ba₂ ⁺ procedures than in the NH₄ ⁺ extraction.     

Boron adsorption and desorption in some acid soils of West Bengal,India

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the influence of soil properties on adsorption and desorption of boron (B) as well as to estimate the degree of reversibility of adsorption reactions. The utility of Freundlich and Langmuir equations for characterizing the plant availability of applied B in soils was established using soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] as a test crop. The adsorption-desorption study revealed that Fe₂O₃ and clay were primarily responsible for retaining added B in all the 25 different soils under investigation. Organic carbon, pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) positively influenced the adsorption of B while free Fe₂O₃, organic carbon and clay retarded release of B from these soils. The degree of irreversibility (hysteresis) of B adsorption/desorption increased with increase in organic carbon and CEC of these soils. Freundlich isotherm proved more effective in describing B adsorption in soils as compared to Langmuir equation. The split Langmuir isotherm demonstrated that any of the adsorption maxima, calculated from lower, upper or entire isotherm, could be of practical use. Contrary, bonding energy coefficient, calculated either at lower or higher equilibrium concentration failed to show any practical benefit. Regression models as a function of B application rate and adsorption equation parameters to predict B uptake from applied B, demonstrated the utility of Langmuir and Freundlich equation parameters.