Abstract
Surface samples of five Quebec soils (St. Bernard, Ormstown, Howick, Dalhousie and Bearbrook) were selected to represent typical agricultural soils with a range of parent material. Soil minerals were fractionated by size into five separates and examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and chemical analyses. In nearly all cases the non-clay separates (250–2.0 μm) contained feldspars, amphiboles and quartz as dominant minerals with only small amounts of layer silicates. Feldspars, amphiboles and quartz were also relatively abundant in the clay separates. The layer silicates in the clay separates consisted mainly of mica, chlorite and vermiculite. The soils had similar mineral suites, considered indicative of a low degree of weathering. Considering the mineral composition and the low degree of weathering, it is proposed that primary K-bearing minerals, including K-feldspars, are important sources of K in these soils. Key words: K release, particle size, soil mineralogy
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