Geochemical Fractionation and Adsorption Characteristics of Zinc in Thai Major Calcareous Soils

Zinc (Zn) is a vital plant nutrient that is widely deficient in Thai cultivated calcareous soils. The chemical fractionation and adsorption of Zn are among the most important solid- and liquid-phase interactions that determine the retention of Zn in the soils. This study aimed to investigate the fractionation and adsorption isotherms of Zn in cultivated Thai calcareous soils. The results of sequential extractions showed that Zn is mainly distributed in residual fractions followed by organic-bound, iron and manganese oxides-bound, carbonate-bound, and exchangeable Zn, respectively. Zinc adsorption was well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Thai calcareous soils had high Zn adsorption capacity. Soil pH, organic carbon, calcium carbonate, cation exchange capacity, and extractable calcium were the major soil properties that affected the Zn adsorption isotherms in these soils. Zinc hydroxide was the solid precipitate and the Zn hydroxide ion (ZnOH⁺) was the dominant Zn ion in alkaline equilibrium solution.