Chapter 7 Physical Characteristics of Volcanic Ash Soils

Abstract

Volcanic ash soils have many unique physical properties that are attributable directly to the properties of the parent material, the noncrystalline materials formed by weathering, and the soil organic matter accumulated during soil formation. These properties include dark soil color, difficult clay dispersion, unique consistence, low bulk density, and high water holding capacity. Soil color is the most striking feature observed for volcanic ash soils, especially for their A horizons. Andisols typically display a large difference in texture when comparing field and laboratory determination methods. Noncrystalline materials play an important role as cementing agents and react with an excess amount of sodium hexametaphosphate. Furthermore, each of the inorganic colloids shows a different point of zero net charge, so that complete dispersion of mineral particles is virtually impossible. Andisols generally have low bulk densities that are attributable to the development of highly porous soil structure. Andisols usually show low degrees of stickiness, plasticity, and hardness that result from the abundance of noncrystalline materials and/or soil organic matter. These physical properties also provide an excellent environment for root growth. Andisols have well-developed soil structure resulting in high porosity with a range of pore sizes that retain a large amount of water with varying tensions.