<p> Understanding the variability of physico-chemical properties of soil along a toposequence is essential for smallholder farming communities. However, these resource constraint farmers in Ghana’s Moist Semi-D...<p> Understanding the variability of physico-chemical properties of soil along a toposequence is essential for smallholder farming communities. However, these resource constraint farmers in Ghana’s Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest (MSDF) zone poorly understand how slope positions affect soil properties. Therefore, soil variability assessment along a toposequence was carried out on Bekwai-Nzima/Oda compound association. From the summit to valley bottom slope positions, soil samples were taken at two depths (0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm). As shown by the coefficient of variation, topsoil (0 - 20 cm) had the highest variation compared to the subsoil (20 - 50 cm). The variations observed in most soil attributes (clay, silt, pH, CEC, SOC and TN) for the 0 to 20 and 20 to 50 cm depths were between eroded (summit and upper slopes) and depositional (lower slope and valley bottom) zones. The highly variable soil attributes were silt, TN, Av. P, and Av. K. However, bulk density and sand were the least variable irrespective of soil depth or toposequence. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between most soil attributes at the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm depths at different slope positions. Principal component (PC) analysis indicated that the first four PCs explained more than 80% and 70% of the total variation for the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm soil depths, respectively. Statistically, our results revealed a significant effect of slope position on soil properties (p < 0.05) and topography influenced soil characteristics and development. Soil pH, sand, silt and clay contents were less affected by slope gradient, which confirms the inherent nature of these highly weathered tropical soils. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for the formulation of soil management strategies for smallholder farm communities. </p>展开更多
The research aimed to analyze soil variability induced by parent materials for oil palm in West Malaysia. The research results can provide basic information on potential reserves of nutrients to improve soil productiv...The research aimed to analyze soil variability induced by parent materials for oil palm in West Malaysia. The research results can provide basic information on potential reserves of nutrients to improve soil productivity for oil palm. Soil samples were collected from two locations （granite soils and basalt soils）. The collected soil samples were completely analyzed in laboratory. The research results showed that based on mineral resistance to weathering （sand and silt mineral sizes）, mineral weathering of granite and basalt is divided into three categories, i.e., very slow weathered mineral （quartz and muscovite）, slowly weathered mineral （K-feldspar, Na and Ca-feldspar and biotite）, and easily weathered mineral （hornblende, augit, olivine, dolomite, calcite and gypsum） Losing mineral during weathering process from granite to clay is determined by containing mineral in rocks. Such minerals （CaO, Na：O, KzO, MgO and SiO2） loosed 100%, 95.0%, 83.5%, 74.7% and 52.5%, respectively, but Fe203 is disappeared only 14.4%. Soil properties characters of granite soil is more acid, has very low to low chemical soil fertility and is dominated by sand fraction, furthermore basalt soil is acid, has low to moderate chemical soil fertility and is dominated by clay fraction. Granite and basalt soils are able to produce FFB of oil palm （Fresh Fruit Bunches） 13-18 ton/ha in a year and 19-24 ton/ha in a year, respectively. The production difference of both soils is around 6.0 ton/ha in a year.展开更多
Soil carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the most important variables reflecting soil quality and ecological function,and an indicator for assessing carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils.Its variation ref...Soil carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the most important variables reflecting soil quality and ecological function,and an indicator for assessing carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils.Its variation reflects the carbon and nitrogen cycling of soils.In order to explore the spatial variability of soil C/N ratio and its controlling factors of the Ili River valley in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Northwest China,the traditional statistical methods,including correlation analysis,geostatistic alanalys and multiple regression analysis were used.The statistical results showed that the soil C/N ratio varied from 7.00 to 23.11,with a mean value of 10.92,and the coefficient of variation was 31.3%.Correlation analysis showed that longitude,altitude,precipitation,soil water,organic carbon,and total nitrogen were positively correlated with the soil C/N ratio(P < 0.01),whereas negative correlations were found between the soil C/N ratio and latitude,temperature,soil bulk density and soil p H.Ordinary Cokriging interpolation showed that r and ME were 0.73 and 0.57,respectively,indicating that the prediction accuracy was high.The spatial autocorrelation of the soil C/N ratio was 6.4 km,and the nugget effect of the soil C/N ratio was 10% with a patchy distribution,in which the area with high value(12.00–20.41) accounted for 22.6% of the total area.Land uses changed the soil C/N ratio with the order of cultivated land > grass land > forest land > garden.Multiple regression analysis showed that geographical and climatic factors,and soil physical and chemical properties could independently explain 26.8%and 55.4% of the spatial features of soil C/N ratio,while human activities could independently explain 5.4% of the spatial features only.The spatial distribution of soil C/N ratio in the study has important reference value for managing soil carbon and nitrogen,and for improving ecological function to similar regions.展开更多
In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element modelling (FEM) analysis is carried out to investigate the effects of soil spatial variability on the response of retaining walls and an adjacent box culvert due ...In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element modelling (FEM) analysis is carried out to investigate the effects of soil spatial variability on the response of retaining walls and an adjacent box culvert due to a braced excavation. The spatial variability of soil stiffness is modelled using a variogram and calibrated by high-quality experimental data. Multiple random field samples (RFSs) of soil stiffness are generated using geostatistical analysis and mapped onto a finite element mesh for stochastic analysis of excavation-induced structural responses by Monte Carlo simulation. It is found that the spatial variability of soil stiffness can be described by an exponential variogram, and the associated vertical correlation length is varied from 1.3 m to 1.6 m. It also reveals that the spatial variability of soil stiffness has a significant effect on the variations of retaining wall deflections and box culvert settlements. The ignorance of spatial variability in 3D FEM can result in an underestimation of lateral wall deflections and culvert settlements. Thus, the stochastic structural responses obtained from the 3D analysis could serve as an effective aid for probabilistic design and analysis of excavations.展开更多
Species dynamics in terms of both plant biological traits, ecological strategies and species richness as well as soil chemical variables during a secondary succession in abandoned fields on the Loess Plateau along a t...Species dynamics in terms of both plant biological traits, ecological strategies and species richness as well as soil chemical variables during a secondary succession in abandoned fields on the Loess Plateau along a temporal sere from 3 a to 149 a were studied. The results indicated that (I) Soil total C and N increased while soil pH, total K and Na decreased with years since abandonment. No noticeable trend was found in the case of soil P along the successional sere. On the other hand, total CaO of the surface layer (0 - 10 cm) decreased, but that of the two deeper layer, (20 - 30 cm, 40 - 50 cm) increased with years since abandonment. Soil C, N, K and P decreased, while Na, CaO and soil pH increased with increasing soil depth. (2) Species richness peaked at both mid-stage of the successional sere and the intermediate portion of soil chemical variables gradient. (3) An ideal dominant species in the early successional stage were annuals with stable seed pool, CR-life strategy, S-regeneration strategy, and strong competitive ability on relatively poor soil, while perennials capable of intensive lateral spread and colonal ability, requiring high nutrient supply, and having Clife strategy would be the dominant species in the subsequent stages. Plant traits, such as perennial-life history, C-, CR-, SC-, SR-, S- and R-life strategies, W-, S-, Bs- VBs- and V-regeneration strategies, were over- represented throughout the whole sere among the other species. (4) Some traits, such as C-, SC-life strategies, ability of clonality, perennial-life history, well-developed lateral spread ability, V- and VBs-regeneration strategies, seed animal. dispersal mode, flowering time of autumn, fruit types of legumen and nut, were more or less correlated with increased soil total C, N and K, while S-, SR-, R-, CR-life strategies, annual-, biannual-life history, non-clonal ability, S-regeneration strategy, poor lateral spread ability, and fruit types of utricle, capsule were associated with increased soil total Na, CaO and pH. The results suggested that steppes should be the dominant native vegetation coinciding with the large-scaled eco-climatic conditions on the Loess Plateau.展开更多
Near infrared reflectance （N1R） spectroscopy is as a rapid, convenient and simple nondestructive technique useful for quantifying several soil properties. This method was used to estimate nitrogen （N） and organic ...Near infrared reflectance （N1R） spectroscopy is as a rapid, convenient and simple nondestructive technique useful for quantifying several soil properties. This method was used to estimate nitrogen （N） and organic matter （OM） content in a soil of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou County. A total of 125 soil samples were taken from the field. Ninety-five samples spectra were used during the calibration and cross validation stage. Thirty samples spectra were used to predict N and OM concentration. NIR spectra of these samples were correlated using partial least square regression. The regression coefficients between measured and predicted values of N and OM was 0.92 and 0.93, and SEP （standard error of prediction） were 3.28 and 0.06, respectively, which showed that NIR method had potential to accurately predict these constituents in this soil. The results showed that NIR spectroscopy could be a good tool for precision farming application.展开更多
Low-molecular-weight （LMW） organic acids exist widely in soils and play an important role in soil processes such as mineral weathering, nutrient mobilization and A1 detoxification. In this research, a batch experime...Low-molecular-weight （LMW） organic acids exist widely in soils and play an important role in soil processes such as mineral weathering, nutrient mobilization and A1 detoxification. In this research, a batch experiment was conducted to examine the effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of aluminum in two variably charged soils, an Ultisol and an Oxisol. The results showed that the LMW organic acids enhanced the dissolution of A1 in the two investigated soils in the following order： citric 〉 oxalic 〉 malonic 〉 malic 〉 tartaric 〉 salicylic 〉 lactic 〉 maleic. This was generally in agreement with the magnitude of the stability constants for the Al-organic complexes. The effects of LMW organic acids on Al dissolution were greater in the Ultisol than in the Oxisol as compared to their controls. Also, the accelerating effects of citric and oxalic acids on dissolution of A1 increased with an increase in pH, while the effects of lactic and salicylic acids decreased. Additionally, when the organic acid concentration was less than 0.2 mmol L-I, the dissolution of A1 changed Iittle with increase in acid concentration. However, when the organic acid concentration was greater than 0.2 mmol L^-1,the dissolution of A1 increased with increase in acid concentration. In addition to the acid first dissociation constant and stability constant of Al-organic complexes, the promoting effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of A1 were also related to their sorption-desorption equilibrium in the soils.展开更多
SO 4 2- and Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ were added to three variable charge soils in different sequences. In one sequence sulfate was added first, and in the other, Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ ...SO 4 2- and Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ were added to three variable charge soils in different sequences. In one sequence sulfate was added first, and in the other, Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ first. The addition of sulfate to the system invariably caused an increase in adsorption of the heavy metal added, with the effect more remarkable when the soil reacted with the sulfate prior to the metal. The shift in pH 50 for both Zn and Cd adsorption was also comparatively larger in the first sequence of reactions. It was suggested that the increase in negative charge density and the resultant negative potential of the soil were the primary cause of the pronounced effect of sulfate on adsorption of Zn or Cd, and the formation of the ternary surface complex S SO 4 M might also play a role in the effect.展开更多
Two cells consisting of a chloride-selective electrode and a nitrate-selective electrode or of a chloride-selective electrode and a perchlorate-selective electrode were directly put in the soil suspension to determine...Two cells consisting of a chloride-selective electrode and a nitrate-selective electrode or of a chloride-selective electrode and a perchlorate-selective electrode were directly put in the soil suspension to determine the concentration ratios Cl-/ NO3- or Cl-/ ClO4- for studying the adsorption of the three anions by variable charge soils. It was found that all the concentration ratios CCl- / CNO3- and CCl- / CClO4- in suspension were smaller than unity when soil samples were in equilibrium with mixed KCl and KNO3 or KCl and KClO4 solutions of equal concentration. The order of the amount of chloride, nitrate and perchlorate adsorbed by variable charge soils was Cl-> NO3-> ClO4- when the soils adsorbed these anions from the solution containing equal concentrations of Cl-, NO3- and ClO4-. Such factors as the pH of the suspension, the iron oxide content of the soil etc. could affect the amounts and the ratios of anions adsorbed. The adsorption was chiefly caused by coulombic attraction, but a covalent force between the anion and the metal atom on the surface of soil particles may also be involved, at least for Cl- ions, even for NO3- ions.展开更多
Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids exist widely in soils and have beenimplicated in many soil processes. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate effect of twoLMW organic acids, citric acid and oxalic ...Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids exist widely in soils and have beenimplicated in many soil processes. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate effect of twoLMW organic acids, citric acid and oxalic acid, on Cl^-adsorption by three variable charge soils, alatosol, a lateritic red soil and a red soil, using a batch method. The results showed that thepresence of citric acid and oxalic acid led to a decrease in Cl^- adsorption with larger decreasesfor citric acid. Among the different soils Cl^- adsorption in the lateritic red soil and the redsoil was more affected by both the LMW organic acids than that in the latosol.展开更多
Soil degradation is a serious environmental problem in Ethiopia. However, little information is documented on indicators such as variations in soil properties across different landforms in a catchment. This study was ...Soil degradation is a serious environmental problem in Ethiopia. However, little information is documented on indicators such as variations in soil properties across different landforms in a catchment. This study was aimed to assess soil properties and their changes across sites with different erosion statuses, and identify landscape positions that require prior management attention in the Mai-Negus catchment, northern Ethiopia. Three types of erosion-status sites(stable, eroding and aggrading) were identified using reconnaissance surveys, and then the corresponding soil samples were collected and analyzed. The major soil properties were significantly varied(P ≤ 0.05) among the three erosion-status sites. The highest soil p H, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, iron and zinc were recorded from the aggrading sites in the reservoir and valley landforms of the study catchment. A higher bulk density was generally recorded in the eroding sites, whereas a lower value was observed in the aggrading sites. The highest sand content was observed in the eroding sites of the mountain followed by the central ridge landform. The paired mean difference and the correlation matrix of most soil properties between the different erosion statuses also showed significant differences. About 95% of the erosionstatus sites were correctly classified by the discriminant function, indicating that the field survey-based classification was acceptable for decision making. On the basis of this study, suitable interventions should thus be introduced to the prioritized landforms, which are the mountain and central ridge, and eroding sites with severely degraded soil properties across the catchment.展开更多
The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides and their relations to phosphate adsorptionon the clay fractions in soils with variable charge in southern China were investigated by means of XRD, TEM,EMA...The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides and their relations to phosphate adsorptionon the clay fractions in soils with variable charge in southern China were investigated by means of XRD, TEM,EMA and chemical analysis methods.Results indicated that the types and contents of crystalline Fe oxidesvaried with the soils examined. The dominant crystalline Fe oxide was hematite in the latosols and goethitesin the red soils.In yellow-brown soils, the only crystalline Fe oxide was goethite.The difference between Aldand Alo came mainly from the Al substituting for Fe in the pe oxides. The crystal morphology of goethiteappeared mainly as subrounded flat or iso-dimensional rather than acicular particles. Hematites occurredin plates of various thickness. Their MCDa/MCDc ratios in the latosols and red soils were generally above1.5 and below 1.5, respectively. The MCD values of goethites and hematites were 15-25nm and 20-35nm,and their specific surface areas were 80-120m￣2/g and 35-75m￣2/g, respectively.The goethite crystals weregenerally smaller. Variations of the total amounts of crystalline Fe oxi es in clay fractions were not related tophosphate adsorption. The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides in the soils remarkablyaffected phosphate adsorption characteristics of the soils. The phosphate adsorption of goethite was muchgreater than that of hematite. The higher the MCD /MCDc rotio of hematite, the lower the phosphateadsorption.展开更多
Soil spatial variability is difficult to evaluate due to insufficient test data.An alternative option is estimation by indirect methods such as inverse analysis.In this paper,two examples are presented to demonstrate ...Soil spatial variability is difficult to evaluate due to insufficient test data.An alternative option is estimation by indirect methods such as inverse analysis.In this paper,two examples are presented to demonstrate the capability and accuracy of the probabilistic estimation method to characterize soil spatial variability with displacement responses.The first example is a soil slope subject to a surcharge load,in which the spatially varied field of the elastic modulus is estimated with displacements.The results show that estimations based on horizontal displacements were more accurate than those based on vertical displacements.The accuracy of the estimated field was substantially reduced by increasing variance of elastic modulus.However,the estimation was generally acceptable as the error was not more than 10%,even for the high variance case(COV^l.5).The accuracy of estimation was also affected by the type of covariance function and the correlation length.When the correlation length decreased,the accuracy of estimation was reduced.The second example is a validation of laboratory model tests where a horizontal load was applied on a layered ground.The estimated thicknesses of soil layers were close to those in the real situation,which demonstrates the capacity of the estimation method.展开更多
The variation in apparent charge of two typical variable charge soils resulting from Zn adsorption were studied by KC1 saturation and NH4NO3 replacement methods. Results showed that zinc were adsorbed specifically to ...The variation in apparent charge of two typical variable charge soils resulting from Zn adsorption were studied by KC1 saturation and NH4NO3 replacement methods. Results showed that zinc were adsorbed specifically to those sites with negative charge. As in different pH ranges, the percentages of specific and electrostatic adsorptions of zinc and the mechanisms of specific adsorption were different, the effects of Zn adsorption on apparent charge were varied and could be characterized as: when 1 mmol Zn2+ was adsorbed, a change about 1 mmol in the apparent charge was observed in the low pH range (Ⅰ), 1.4 to 1.5 mmol in the moderate pH range (Ⅱ) and 0.55 to 0.6 mmol in the high pH range (Ⅲ). These experimental data, in terms of soil charge, proved once more author's conclusion in the preceding paper (Sun, 1993) that in accordance with the behaviors of Zn adsorption by the variable charge soils in relation to pH, three pH ranges with different adsorption mechanisms were delineated; that is, in Range Ⅰ, specific adsorption was the predominant mechanism, in Ranges Ⅱ and Ⅲ, specific and electrostatic adsorptions co-existed, but their specific adsorption mechanisms were not identical.展开更多
A self-made constant pH automated titration instrument was used to study thekinetics of hydroxyl release during selenite reacting with variable charge soils. The rate ofhydroxyl release was very rapid at the first sev...A self-made constant pH automated titration instrument was used to study thekinetics of hydroxyl release during selenite reacting with variable charge soils. The rate ofhydroxyl release was very rapid at the first several minutes, then gradually slowed down, and atlast did not change any more. The experimental data was well fitted by the Langmuir kineticequation, arid with increasing selenite concentration or decreasing solution pH, the reaction lastedlonger, the maximum of hydroxyl release (x_m) increased, and the binding constant (k) decreased.The time of hydroxyl release with Xuwen latosol was much longer than that with Jinxian red soil.展开更多
Adsorption of potassium and sodium ions by four typical variable charge soils of South China was studied. The results indicated that the variable charge soils saturated with H and Al showed a much higher preference fo...Adsorption of potassium and sodium ions by four typical variable charge soils of South China was studied. The results indicated that the variable charge soils saturated with H and Al showed a much higher preference for potassium ions relative to sodium ions, and this tendency could not be changed by such factors as the pH, the concentration of the cations, the dielectric constant of solvent, the accompanying anions and the iron oxide content etc., suggesting that this difference in affinity is caused by the difference in the nature of the two cations. It was observed that a negative adsorption of sodium ions by latosol and lateritic red soil in a mixed system containing equal amount of potassium and sodium ions at low pH, which is caused by a competitive adsorption of potassium and sodium ions and repulsion of positive charge on the surfaces of soil particles for cations. The adsorption of potassium and sodium ions increased with the decreases in the dielectric constant of solvent and the iron oxide content. Sulfate affected the adsorption of potassium and sodium ions through changing the surface properties of the soils.展开更多
Studies were carried out by using electrophoretic method on the effects of the specific adsorption of the anions,such as SO4^2-,PO4^3-,and F^- ions,the cations,such as Ca^2+,Mn^2+,Zn^2+,and Cu^2+,ions,and the anions a...Studies were carried out by using electrophoretic method on the effects of the specific adsorption of the anions,such as SO4^2-,PO4^3-,and F^- ions,the cations,such as Ca^2+,Mn^2+,Zn^2+,and Cu^2+,ions,and the anions and cations coexisting,such as Zn^2+ and SO4^2= ions,on electrokinetic properties of the red soils as typical variable charge soils in China concerning variation in the specific ion species and concentrations,with an emphasis on the interaction between soil colloid surfaces and the ions in soil solutions.The results showed that the adsorption of specific ions led to a very pronounced decrease in zeta potentials of the soil colloids and a shift of the IEPs to lower values for specific anions,and an obvious increase in zeta potentials of the soil colloids and a shift of the IEPs to higher values for specific cations.Under circumstances of the specific anions and cations coexisting,for instance,Zn^2+ and SO4^2- ions,the zeta potentials changed with values higher than the value for SO4^2- alone and lower than that for Zn^2+ alone,and the IEP was between that for Zn^2+ and that for SO4^2-.The adsorption of Zn^2+ and Cu^2+ ions resulted in a reversal of the zeta potentials,and appearance of two IEPs for Zn^2+ and no IEP for Cu^2+,exhibiting interesting special effects of these kinds of metal ions.The higher the concentrations of the ions,the greater the change of the electrokinetic properties.展开更多
Different mathematical methods, including linearization, differential, integration and nonlinear least squares approximation (Newton-Marquardt method), were used to fit different kinetic equations, such as zero-order,...Different mathematical methods, including linearization, differential, integration and nonlinear least squares approximation (Newton-Marquardt method), were used to fit different kinetic equations, such as zero-order, first-order (i. e, membrane diffusion), second-order, parabolic-diffusion, Elovich, two-constant equations, to the experimental data of Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption on variable charge soils and kaolinite. Assuming each M2+ occupied two adsorption sites, two more equations, the so-called surface second-order equation and third-order equation were derived and compared with the above equations according to the fitting results, which showed that the second-order equation and surface second-order equation, being one equation in different expressions under some conditions, were better than the other equations in describing the Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption kinetics, and the latter was the best.展开更多
Two variable charge soils were incubated with biochars derived from straws of peanut, soybean, canola, and rice to investigate the effect of the biochars on their chemical properties and Pb（II） adsorption using batc...Two variable charge soils were incubated with biochars derived from straws of peanut, soybean, canola, and rice to investigate the effect of the biochars on their chemical properties and Pb（II） adsorption using batch experiments. The results showed soil cation exchange capacity （CEC） and pH significantly increased after 30 d of incubation with the biochars added. The incorporation of the biochars markedly increased the adsorption of Pb（II）, and both the electrostatic and non-electrostatic adsorption mechanisms contributed to Pb（II） adsorption by the variable charge soils. Adsorption isotherms illustrated legume- straw derived biochars more greatly increased Pb（II） adsorption on soils through the non-electrostatic mechanism via the formation of surface complexes between Pb（II） and acid functional groups of the biochars than did non-legume straw biochars. The adsorption capacity of Pb（II） increased, while the desorption amount slightly decreased with the increasing suspension pH for the studied soils, especially in a high suspension pH, indicating that precipitation also plays an important role in immobilizing Pb（II） to the soils.展开更多
Potassium （K） and nitrogen （N） are essential nutrients for plants. Adsorption and desorption in soils affect K＋ and NH4＋ avail- abilities to plants and can be affected by the interaction between the electrical d...Potassium （K） and nitrogen （N） are essential nutrients for plants. Adsorption and desorption in soils affect K＋ and NH4＋ avail- abilities to plants and can be affected by the interaction between the electrical double layers on oppositely charged particles because the interaction can decrease the surface charge density of the particles by neutralization of positive and negative charges. We studied the effect of iron （Fe）/aluminum （Al） hydroxides on desorption of K＋ and NH4＋ from soils and kaolinite and proposed desorption mechanisms based on the overlapping of diffuse layers between negatively charged soils and mineral particles and the positively charged Fe/Al hydroxide particles. Our results indicated that the overlapping of diffuse layers of electricM double layers between positively charged Fe/Al hydroxides, as amorphous Al（OH）3 or Fe（OH）3, and negatively charged surfaces from an Ultisol, an Alfisol, and a kaolinite standard caused the effective negative surface charge density on the soils and kaolinite to become less negative. Thus the adsorption affinity of these negatively charged surfaces for K＋ and NH4＋ declined as a result of the incorporation of the Fe/Al hydroxi- des. Consequently, the release of exchangeable K＋ and NH4＋ from the surfaces of the soils and kaolinite increased with the amount of the Fe/A1 hydroxides added. The greater the positive charge on the surfaces of Fe/Al hydroxides, the stronger was the interactive effect between the hydroxides and soils or kaolinite, and thus the more release of K＋ and NH4＋. A decrease in pH led to increased positive surface charge on the Fe/Al hydroxides and enhanced interactive effects between the hydroxides and soils/kaolinite. As a result, more K＋ and NH4＋ were desorbed from the soils and kaolinite. This study suggests that the interaction between oppositely charged particles of variable charge soils can enhance the mobility of K＋ and NH4＋ in the soils and thus increase their leaching loss.展开更多
文摘<p> Understanding the variability of physico-chemical properties of soil along a toposequence is essential for smallholder farming communities. However, these resource constraint farmers in Ghana’s Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest (MSDF) zone poorly understand how slope positions affect soil properties. Therefore, soil variability assessment along a toposequence was carried out on Bekwai-Nzima/Oda compound association. From the summit to valley bottom slope positions, soil samples were taken at two depths (0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm). As shown by the coefficient of variation, topsoil (0 - 20 cm) had the highest variation compared to the subsoil (20 - 50 cm). The variations observed in most soil attributes (clay, silt, pH, CEC, SOC and TN) for the 0 to 20 and 20 to 50 cm depths were between eroded (summit and upper slopes) and depositional (lower slope and valley bottom) zones. The highly variable soil attributes were silt, TN, Av. P, and Av. K. However, bulk density and sand were the least variable irrespective of soil depth or toposequence. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between most soil attributes at the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm depths at different slope positions. Principal component (PC) analysis indicated that the first four PCs explained more than 80% and 70% of the total variation for the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm soil depths, respectively. Statistically, our results revealed a significant effect of slope position on soil properties (p < 0.05) and topography influenced soil characteristics and development. Soil pH, sand, silt and clay contents were less affected by slope gradient, which confirms the inherent nature of these highly weathered tropical soils. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for the formulation of soil management strategies for smallholder farm communities. </p>
文摘The research aimed to analyze soil variability induced by parent materials for oil palm in West Malaysia. The research results can provide basic information on potential reserves of nutrients to improve soil productivity for oil palm. Soil samples were collected from two locations （granite soils and basalt soils）. The collected soil samples were completely analyzed in laboratory. The research results showed that based on mineral resistance to weathering （sand and silt mineral sizes）, mineral weathering of granite and basalt is divided into three categories, i.e., very slow weathered mineral （quartz and muscovite）, slowly weathered mineral （K-feldspar, Na and Ca-feldspar and biotite）, and easily weathered mineral （hornblende, augit, olivine, dolomite, calcite and gypsum） Losing mineral during weathering process from granite to clay is determined by containing mineral in rocks. Such minerals （CaO, Na：O, KzO, MgO and SiO2） loosed 100%, 95.0%, 83.5%, 74.7% and 52.5%, respectively, but Fe203 is disappeared only 14.4%. Soil properties characters of granite soil is more acid, has very low to low chemical soil fertility and is dominated by sand fraction, furthermore basalt soil is acid, has low to moderate chemical soil fertility and is dominated by clay fraction. Granite and basalt soils are able to produce FFB of oil palm （Fresh Fruit Bunches） 13-18 ton/ha in a year and 19-24 ton/ha in a year, respectively. The production difference of both soils is around 6.0 ton/ha in a year.
基金Under the auspices of National Science and Technology Support Program of China(No.2014BAC15B03)the West Light Funds of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.YB201302)
文摘Soil carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the most important variables reflecting soil quality and ecological function,and an indicator for assessing carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils.Its variation reflects the carbon and nitrogen cycling of soils.In order to explore the spatial variability of soil C/N ratio and its controlling factors of the Ili River valley in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Northwest China,the traditional statistical methods,including correlation analysis,geostatistic alanalys and multiple regression analysis were used.The statistical results showed that the soil C/N ratio varied from 7.00 to 23.11,with a mean value of 10.92,and the coefficient of variation was 31.3%.Correlation analysis showed that longitude,altitude,precipitation,soil water,organic carbon,and total nitrogen were positively correlated with the soil C/N ratio(P < 0.01),whereas negative correlations were found between the soil C/N ratio and latitude,temperature,soil bulk density and soil p H.Ordinary Cokriging interpolation showed that r and ME were 0.73 and 0.57,respectively,indicating that the prediction accuracy was high.The spatial autocorrelation of the soil C/N ratio was 6.4 km,and the nugget effect of the soil C/N ratio was 10% with a patchy distribution,in which the area with high value(12.00–20.41) accounted for 22.6% of the total area.Land uses changed the soil C/N ratio with the order of cultivated land > grass land > forest land > garden.Multiple regression analysis showed that geographical and climatic factors,and soil physical and chemical properties could independently explain 26.8%and 55.4% of the spatial features of soil C/N ratio,while human activities could independently explain 5.4% of the spatial features only.The spatial distribution of soil C/N ratio in the study has important reference value for managing soil carbon and nitrogen,and for improving ecological function to similar regions.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41977240)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.B200202090).
文摘In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element modelling (FEM) analysis is carried out to investigate the effects of soil spatial variability on the response of retaining walls and an adjacent box culvert due to a braced excavation. The spatial variability of soil stiffness is modelled using a variogram and calibrated by high-quality experimental data. Multiple random field samples (RFSs) of soil stiffness are generated using geostatistical analysis and mapped onto a finite element mesh for stochastic analysis of excavation-induced structural responses by Monte Carlo simulation. It is found that the spatial variability of soil stiffness can be described by an exponential variogram, and the associated vertical correlation length is varied from 1.3 m to 1.6 m. It also reveals that the spatial variability of soil stiffness has a significant effect on the variations of retaining wall deflections and box culvert settlements. The ignorance of spatial variability in 3D FEM can result in an underestimation of lateral wall deflections and culvert settlements. Thus, the stochastic structural responses obtained from the 3D analysis could serve as an effective aid for probabilistic design and analysis of excavations.
文摘Species dynamics in terms of both plant biological traits, ecological strategies and species richness as well as soil chemical variables during a secondary succession in abandoned fields on the Loess Plateau along a temporal sere from 3 a to 149 a were studied. The results indicated that (I) Soil total C and N increased while soil pH, total K and Na decreased with years since abandonment. No noticeable trend was found in the case of soil P along the successional sere. On the other hand, total CaO of the surface layer (0 - 10 cm) decreased, but that of the two deeper layer, (20 - 30 cm, 40 - 50 cm) increased with years since abandonment. Soil C, N, K and P decreased, while Na, CaO and soil pH increased with increasing soil depth. (2) Species richness peaked at both mid-stage of the successional sere and the intermediate portion of soil chemical variables gradient. (3) An ideal dominant species in the early successional stage were annuals with stable seed pool, CR-life strategy, S-regeneration strategy, and strong competitive ability on relatively poor soil, while perennials capable of intensive lateral spread and colonal ability, requiring high nutrient supply, and having Clife strategy would be the dominant species in the subsequent stages. Plant traits, such as perennial-life history, C-, CR-, SC-, SR-, S- and R-life strategies, W-, S-, Bs- VBs- and V-regeneration strategies, were over- represented throughout the whole sere among the other species. (4) Some traits, such as C-, SC-life strategies, ability of clonality, perennial-life history, well-developed lateral spread ability, V- and VBs-regeneration strategies, seed animal. dispersal mode, flowering time of autumn, fruit types of legumen and nut, were more or less correlated with increased soil total C, N and K, while S-, SR-, R-, CR-life strategies, annual-, biannual-life history, non-clonal ability, S-regeneration strategy, poor lateral spread ability, and fruit types of utricle, capsule were associated with increased soil total Na, CaO and pH. The results suggested that steppes should be the dominant native vegetation coinciding with the large-scaled eco-climatic conditions on the Loess Plateau.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30270773), and the Teaching and Research Award Pro-gram for Outstanding Young Teachers in Higher Education Institu-tions & the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program o
文摘Near infrared reflectance （N1R） spectroscopy is as a rapid, convenient and simple nondestructive technique useful for quantifying several soil properties. This method was used to estimate nitrogen （N） and organic matter （OM） content in a soil of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou County. A total of 125 soil samples were taken from the field. Ninety-five samples spectra were used during the calibration and cross validation stage. Thirty samples spectra were used to predict N and OM concentration. NIR spectra of these samples were correlated using partial least square regression. The regression coefficients between measured and predicted values of N and OM was 0.92 and 0.93, and SEP （standard error of prediction） were 3.28 and 0.06, respectively, which showed that NIR method had potential to accurately predict these constituents in this soil. The results showed that NIR spectroscopy could be a good tool for precision farming application.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40271062).
文摘Low-molecular-weight （LMW） organic acids exist widely in soils and play an important role in soil processes such as mineral weathering, nutrient mobilization and A1 detoxification. In this research, a batch experiment was conducted to examine the effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of aluminum in two variably charged soils, an Ultisol and an Oxisol. The results showed that the LMW organic acids enhanced the dissolution of A1 in the two investigated soils in the following order： citric 〉 oxalic 〉 malonic 〉 malic 〉 tartaric 〉 salicylic 〉 lactic 〉 maleic. This was generally in agreement with the magnitude of the stability constants for the Al-organic complexes. The effects of LMW organic acids on Al dissolution were greater in the Ultisol than in the Oxisol as compared to their controls. Also, the accelerating effects of citric and oxalic acids on dissolution of A1 increased with an increase in pH, while the effects of lactic and salicylic acids decreased. Additionally, when the organic acid concentration was less than 0.2 mmol L-I, the dissolution of A1 changed Iittle with increase in acid concentration. However, when the organic acid concentration was greater than 0.2 mmol L^-1,the dissolution of A1 increased with increase in acid concentration. In addition to the acid first dissociation constant and stability constant of Al-organic complexes, the promoting effects of LMW organic acids on dissolution of A1 were also related to their sorption-desorption equilibrium in the soils.
文摘SO 4 2- and Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ were added to three variable charge soils in different sequences. In one sequence sulfate was added first, and in the other, Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ first. The addition of sulfate to the system invariably caused an increase in adsorption of the heavy metal added, with the effect more remarkable when the soil reacted with the sulfate prior to the metal. The shift in pH 50 for both Zn and Cd adsorption was also comparatively larger in the first sequence of reactions. It was suggested that the increase in negative charge density and the resultant negative potential of the soil were the primary cause of the pronounced effect of sulfate on adsorption of Zn or Cd, and the formation of the ternary surface complex S SO 4 M might also play a role in the effect.
文摘Two cells consisting of a chloride-selective electrode and a nitrate-selective electrode or of a chloride-selective electrode and a perchlorate-selective electrode were directly put in the soil suspension to determine the concentration ratios Cl-/ NO3- or Cl-/ ClO4- for studying the adsorption of the three anions by variable charge soils. It was found that all the concentration ratios CCl- / CNO3- and CCl- / CClO4- in suspension were smaller than unity when soil samples were in equilibrium with mixed KCl and KNO3 or KCl and KClO4 solutions of equal concentration. The order of the amount of chloride, nitrate and perchlorate adsorbed by variable charge soils was Cl-> NO3-> ClO4- when the soils adsorbed these anions from the solution containing equal concentrations of Cl-, NO3- and ClO4-. Such factors as the pH of the suspension, the iron oxide content of the soil etc. could affect the amounts and the ratios of anions adsorbed. The adsorption was chiefly caused by coulombic attraction, but a covalent force between the anion and the metal atom on the surface of soil particles may also be involved, at least for Cl- ions, even for NO3- ions.
基金Project supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. ISSASIP0108) the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40271062).
文摘Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids exist widely in soils and have beenimplicated in many soil processes. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate effect of twoLMW organic acids, citric acid and oxalic acid, on Cl^-adsorption by three variable charge soils, alatosol, a lateritic red soil and a red soil, using a batch method. The results showed that thepresence of citric acid and oxalic acid led to a decrease in Cl^- adsorption with larger decreasesfor citric acid. Among the different soils Cl^- adsorption in the lateritic red soil and the redsoil was more affected by both the LMW organic acids than that in the latosol.
基金the financial support by Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)/Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (Germany) through the Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn (Germany)the support of Aksum University (Ethiopia) for the first author’s field work
文摘Soil degradation is a serious environmental problem in Ethiopia. However, little information is documented on indicators such as variations in soil properties across different landforms in a catchment. This study was aimed to assess soil properties and their changes across sites with different erosion statuses, and identify landscape positions that require prior management attention in the Mai-Negus catchment, northern Ethiopia. Three types of erosion-status sites(stable, eroding and aggrading) were identified using reconnaissance surveys, and then the corresponding soil samples were collected and analyzed. The major soil properties were significantly varied(P ≤ 0.05) among the three erosion-status sites. The highest soil p H, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, iron and zinc were recorded from the aggrading sites in the reservoir and valley landforms of the study catchment. A higher bulk density was generally recorded in the eroding sites, whereas a lower value was observed in the aggrading sites. The highest sand content was observed in the eroding sites of the mountain followed by the central ridge landform. The paired mean difference and the correlation matrix of most soil properties between the different erosion statuses also showed significant differences. About 95% of the erosionstatus sites were correctly classified by the discriminant function, indicating that the field survey-based classification was acceptable for decision making. On the basis of this study, suitable interventions should thus be introduced to the prioritized landforms, which are the mountain and central ridge, and eroding sites with severely degraded soil properties across the catchment.
文摘The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides and their relations to phosphate adsorptionon the clay fractions in soils with variable charge in southern China were investigated by means of XRD, TEM,EMA and chemical analysis methods.Results indicated that the types and contents of crystalline Fe oxidesvaried with the soils examined. The dominant crystalline Fe oxide was hematite in the latosols and goethitesin the red soils.In yellow-brown soils, the only crystalline Fe oxide was goethite.The difference between Aldand Alo came mainly from the Al substituting for Fe in the pe oxides. The crystal morphology of goethiteappeared mainly as subrounded flat or iso-dimensional rather than acicular particles. Hematites occurredin plates of various thickness. Their MCDa/MCDc ratios in the latosols and red soils were generally above1.5 and below 1.5, respectively. The MCD values of goethites and hematites were 15-25nm and 20-35nm,and their specific surface areas were 80-120m￣2/g and 35-75m￣2/g, respectively.The goethite crystals weregenerally smaller. Variations of the total amounts of crystalline Fe oxi es in clay fractions were not related tophosphate adsorption. The types, contents and morphologies of crystalline Fe oxides in the soils remarkablyaffected phosphate adsorption characteristics of the soils. The phosphate adsorption of goethite was muchgreater than that of hematite. The higher the MCD /MCDc rotio of hematite, the lower the phosphateadsorption.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51979158,51639008,51679135,and 51422905)the Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader(No.19XD1421900),China。
文摘Soil spatial variability is difficult to evaluate due to insufficient test data.An alternative option is estimation by indirect methods such as inverse analysis.In this paper,two examples are presented to demonstrate the capability and accuracy of the probabilistic estimation method to characterize soil spatial variability with displacement responses.The first example is a soil slope subject to a surcharge load,in which the spatially varied field of the elastic modulus is estimated with displacements.The results show that estimations based on horizontal displacements were more accurate than those based on vertical displacements.The accuracy of the estimated field was substantially reduced by increasing variance of elastic modulus.However,the estimation was generally acceptable as the error was not more than 10%,even for the high variance case(COV^l.5).The accuracy of estimation was also affected by the type of covariance function and the correlation length.When the correlation length decreased,the accuracy of estimation was reduced.The second example is a validation of laboratory model tests where a horizontal load was applied on a layered ground.The estimated thicknesses of soil layers were close to those in the real situation,which demonstrates the capacity of the estimation method.
文摘The variation in apparent charge of two typical variable charge soils resulting from Zn adsorption were studied by KC1 saturation and NH4NO3 replacement methods. Results showed that zinc were adsorbed specifically to those sites with negative charge. As in different pH ranges, the percentages of specific and electrostatic adsorptions of zinc and the mechanisms of specific adsorption were different, the effects of Zn adsorption on apparent charge were varied and could be characterized as: when 1 mmol Zn2+ was adsorbed, a change about 1 mmol in the apparent charge was observed in the low pH range (Ⅰ), 1.4 to 1.5 mmol in the moderate pH range (Ⅱ) and 0.55 to 0.6 mmol in the high pH range (Ⅲ). These experimental data, in terms of soil charge, proved once more author's conclusion in the preceding paper (Sun, 1993) that in accordance with the behaviors of Zn adsorption by the variable charge soils in relation to pH, three pH ranges with different adsorption mechanisms were delineated; that is, in Range Ⅰ, specific adsorption was the predominant mechanism, in Ranges Ⅱ and Ⅲ, specific and electrostatic adsorptions co-existed, but their specific adsorption mechanisms were not identical.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 49971046 and 49831005).
文摘A self-made constant pH automated titration instrument was used to study thekinetics of hydroxyl release during selenite reacting with variable charge soils. The rate ofhydroxyl release was very rapid at the first several minutes, then gradually slowed down, and atlast did not change any more. The experimental data was well fitted by the Langmuir kineticequation, arid with increasing selenite concentration or decreasing solution pH, the reaction lastedlonger, the maximum of hydroxyl release (x_m) increased, and the binding constant (k) decreased.The time of hydroxyl release with Xuwen latosol was much longer than that with Jinxian red soil.
文摘Adsorption of potassium and sodium ions by four typical variable charge soils of South China was studied. The results indicated that the variable charge soils saturated with H and Al showed a much higher preference for potassium ions relative to sodium ions, and this tendency could not be changed by such factors as the pH, the concentration of the cations, the dielectric constant of solvent, the accompanying anions and the iron oxide content etc., suggesting that this difference in affinity is caused by the difference in the nature of the two cations. It was observed that a negative adsorption of sodium ions by latosol and lateritic red soil in a mixed system containing equal amount of potassium and sodium ions at low pH, which is caused by a competitive adsorption of potassium and sodium ions and repulsion of positive charge on the surfaces of soil particles for cations. The adsorption of potassium and sodium ions increased with the decreases in the dielectric constant of solvent and the iron oxide content. Sulfate affected the adsorption of potassium and sodium ions through changing the surface properties of the soils.
文摘Studies were carried out by using electrophoretic method on the effects of the specific adsorption of the anions,such as SO4^2-,PO4^3-,and F^- ions,the cations,such as Ca^2+,Mn^2+,Zn^2+,and Cu^2+,ions,and the anions and cations coexisting,such as Zn^2+ and SO4^2= ions,on electrokinetic properties of the red soils as typical variable charge soils in China concerning variation in the specific ion species and concentrations,with an emphasis on the interaction between soil colloid surfaces and the ions in soil solutions.The results showed that the adsorption of specific ions led to a very pronounced decrease in zeta potentials of the soil colloids and a shift of the IEPs to lower values for specific anions,and an obvious increase in zeta potentials of the soil colloids and a shift of the IEPs to higher values for specific cations.Under circumstances of the specific anions and cations coexisting,for instance,Zn^2+ and SO4^2- ions,the zeta potentials changed with values higher than the value for SO4^2- alone and lower than that for Zn^2+ alone,and the IEP was between that for Zn^2+ and that for SO4^2-.The adsorption of Zn^2+ and Cu^2+ ions resulted in a reversal of the zeta potentials,and appearance of two IEPs for Zn^2+ and no IEP for Cu^2+,exhibiting interesting special effects of these kinds of metal ions.The higher the concentrations of the ions,the greater the change of the electrokinetic properties.
基金Project supported by the N ational Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘Different mathematical methods, including linearization, differential, integration and nonlinear least squares approximation (Newton-Marquardt method), were used to fit different kinetic equations, such as zero-order, first-order (i. e, membrane diffusion), second-order, parabolic-diffusion, Elovich, two-constant equations, to the experimental data of Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption on variable charge soils and kaolinite. Assuming each M2+ occupied two adsorption sites, two more equations, the so-called surface second-order equation and third-order equation were derived and compared with the above equations according to the fitting results, which showed that the second-order equation and surface second-order equation, being one equation in different expressions under some conditions, were better than the other equations in describing the Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption kinetics, and the latter was the best.
基金supported by the Key Technoligies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2012BAJ24B06)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41230855)
文摘Two variable charge soils were incubated with biochars derived from straws of peanut, soybean, canola, and rice to investigate the effect of the biochars on their chemical properties and Pb（II） adsorption using batch experiments. The results showed soil cation exchange capacity （CEC） and pH significantly increased after 30 d of incubation with the biochars added. The incorporation of the biochars markedly increased the adsorption of Pb（II）, and both the electrostatic and non-electrostatic adsorption mechanisms contributed to Pb（II） adsorption by the variable charge soils. Adsorption isotherms illustrated legume- straw derived biochars more greatly increased Pb（II） adsorption on soils through the non-electrostatic mechanism via the formation of surface complexes between Pb（II） and acid functional groups of the biochars than did non-legume straw biochars. The adsorption capacity of Pb（II） increased, while the desorption amount slightly decreased with the increasing suspension pH for the studied soils, especially in a high suspension pH, indicating that precipitation also plays an important role in immobilizing Pb（II） to the soils.
基金Supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-EW-405)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40971135 and 40901110)
文摘Potassium （K） and nitrogen （N） are essential nutrients for plants. Adsorption and desorption in soils affect K＋ and NH4＋ avail- abilities to plants and can be affected by the interaction between the electrical double layers on oppositely charged particles because the interaction can decrease the surface charge density of the particles by neutralization of positive and negative charges. We studied the effect of iron （Fe）/aluminum （Al） hydroxides on desorption of K＋ and NH4＋ from soils and kaolinite and proposed desorption mechanisms based on the overlapping of diffuse layers between negatively charged soils and mineral particles and the positively charged Fe/Al hydroxide particles. Our results indicated that the overlapping of diffuse layers of electricM double layers between positively charged Fe/Al hydroxides, as amorphous Al（OH）3 or Fe（OH）3, and negatively charged surfaces from an Ultisol, an Alfisol, and a kaolinite standard caused the effective negative surface charge density on the soils and kaolinite to become less negative. Thus the adsorption affinity of these negatively charged surfaces for K＋ and NH4＋ declined as a result of the incorporation of the Fe/Al hydroxi- des. Consequently, the release of exchangeable K＋ and NH4＋ from the surfaces of the soils and kaolinite increased with the amount of the Fe/A1 hydroxides added. The greater the positive charge on the surfaces of Fe/Al hydroxides, the stronger was the interactive effect between the hydroxides and soils or kaolinite, and thus the more release of K＋ and NH4＋. A decrease in pH led to increased positive surface charge on the Fe/Al hydroxides and enhanced interactive effects between the hydroxides and soils/kaolinite. As a result, more K＋ and NH4＋ were desorbed from the soils and kaolinite. This study suggests that the interaction between oppositely charged particles of variable charge soils can enhance the mobility of K＋ and NH4＋ in the soils and thus increase their leaching loss.
