Effect of removal of free oxides on changes in dispersibility and charge characteristics of soils

Abstract

Abstract Changes in dispersibility and charge characteristics of two soils with different colloidal properties were investigated after various extracting treatments of free oxides. The soil samples were taken from the upland field in a reclaimed area (highly dispersive) and from the B horizon of an adjacent forest area (physically stable), both of which derived from the same parent material. Special attention was paid to selective extraction of Al and Fe oxides. After the extraction of free oxides by conventional methods such as DCB or oxalate treatment, dispersibility of the soils which always became too high made it difficult to relate the amounts of removed oxides with the changes in dispersibility. Thus, extractions by milder treatments were designed in order to remove varying amounts of free oxides using several organic salt solutions. Among the treatments, citrate and oxalate extracted more Al oxides, followed by tartrate. Dithionite, acetate, and NaCl extracted only trace amounts of Al oxides. This...