Effect of iron oxide on phosphate sorption by calcite and calcareous soils |
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Authors: | M E HAMAD D L RIMMER J K SYERS |
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Institution: | Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK |
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Abstract: | Pure calcite (AR grade CaCO3) was treated with ferrous perchlorate solution to give a surface coating of iron (Fe) oxide. Maximum sorption (xm) of phosphate (P) by the calcite increased from 18.2 to 160 mg P kg?1 as the amount of coating increased from 0.00 to 16.0 g Fe2O3, kg?1 CaCO3. Evidence for Fe oxide coatings on carbonate minerals in two Sudanese soils was obtained by optical microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis. The relative contributions of carbonate and Fe oxide minerals, and Fe oxide coatings to P sorption in these soils were calculated, based on an assumed model of oxide distribution. Separate-phase Fe oxide was the major contributor (30–40%) to P sorption in the soils; the Fe oxide coatings on carbonate minerals were only minor contributors (< 6%), and the contribution of uncoated carbonate minerals was found to be negligible (<1 %). These results suggest a very minor role for carbonate minerals, even when coated with Fe oxide, in the sorption of P by these calcareous, Sudanese soils. |
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