Biogenic, sedimentary, and metamorphic limestone: a comparative characterization of soil amendment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Liming acid soils is fundamental for agricultural activity such as the study and characterization of alternative liming material. The objective of this study was to characterize biological, sedimentary, and metamorphic limestones. The following limestones were studied: biogenic (BL), sedimentary (SL), commercial (CL), and marble (ML). This study evaluated total relative neutralizing power (TRNP), chemical composition, specific surface area, and Ca2+and Mg2+release at concentrations of 0.10, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mol L-1 HCl, in addition to the effects on the soil 90 days after limestone application. The Si identified contributed to the lower TRNP of BL (73.7%) and CL (74.4%). At the lowest HCl concentrations, BL was the most reactive, but with an increase in concentration, ML became the most reactive. The highest CaO (58.32%) and MgO (13.05%) levels were observed in SL and ML, respectively, which contained the highest Ca2+(3.95 cmolcdm-3) and Mg2+ (1.09 cmolcdm-3) concentrations when applied to the soil. All the limestones increased pH and lowered soil H+Al. Soil Ca2+and Mg2+were influenced by the composition of the amendments.