Abstract
PurposeInformation about particle size distribution (PSD) and soil texture is essential for understanding soil drainage, porosity, nutrient availability, and trafficability. The sieve-pipette/gravimetric method traditionally used for particle size analysis is labour-intensive and resource-intensive. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry may provide a rapid alternative. The study’s aim was to examine the use of XRF for rapid determination of PSD in Irish soils.MethodsSoils (n = 355) from existing archives in Ireland were analysed with a benchtop energy-dispersive XRF (EDXRF). Correlation and regression analyses were determined to compare Rb, Fe, Al, and Si concentrations to % clay, % silt, and % sand. Also, linear regression models were developed to compare % clay, % sand, and % silt measured by the gravimetric method to values predicted by EDXRF.ResultsThe relationship between element concentration and PSD was dependent on parent material. Rb, Al, and Fe showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation (r > 0.50) with % clay and % sand in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials. Rb was the best predictor for % clay (R2 = 0.49, RMSE = 10.20) in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone-derived soils.ConclusionGeochemistry and clay mineralogy of the soils’ parent material strongly influenced the EDXRF’s ability to predict particle size. The EDXRF could predict % clay in soils from parent materials which weather easily, but the opposite was true for soils with parent material recalcitrant to weathering. In conclusion, this study has shown that the EDXRF can screen % clay in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials.
Highlights
Soil texture is an important property that affects a soil’s function, water retention, and distribution of nutrients and trace elements (Dexter et al 2004; Acosta et al 2011; Rabot et al 2018; Schweizer et al 2019; )
This study has shown that the energy-dispersive XRF (EDXRF) can screen % clay in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials
EDXRF can be used as a rapid screening method for % clay in Irish soils, especially for examples originating from limestone and siliceous stone
Summary
Soil texture is an important property that affects a soil’s function, water retention, and distribution of nutrients and trace elements (Dexter et al 2004; Acosta et al 2011; Rabot et al 2018; Schweizer et al 2019; ). Thereafter, the solution is shaken, and aliquots are taken for silt and clay content and oven dried overnight, the process is repeated for sampling of clay content. Fenton et al (2015) indicate that altering the clay/silt particle size boundary during analysis with the laser diffraction method can compensate for the overestimation and underestimation of % clay in some soil types. These systems are still expensive to acquire and do not provide additional data other than particle size
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