Amelioration of subsurface acidity in sandy soils in low rainfall regions .2. Changes to soil solution composition following the surface application of gypsum and lime

Soil Research ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 847 ◽  
Author(s):  
CDA Mclay ◽  
GSP Ritchie ◽  
WM Porter ◽  
A Cruse

Two field trials were sampled to investigate the changes to soil solution chemical properties of a yellow sandplain soil with an acidic subsoil following the application of gypsum and lime to the soil surface in 1989. The soils were sandy textured and located in a region of low annual rainfall (300-350 mm). Soil was sampled annually to a depth of 1 m and changes in soil solution composition were estimated by extraction of the soil with 0.005 M KCl. Gypsum leaching caused calcium (Ca), sulfate (SO4) and the ionic strength to increase substantially in both topsoil and subsoil by the end of the first year. Continued leaching in the second year caused these properties to decrease by approximately one-half in the topsoil. Gypsum appeared to have minimal effect on pH or total Al (Al-T), although the amount of Al present as toxic monomeric Al decreased and the amount present as non-toxic AlSO+4 ion pairs increased. Magnesium (Mg) was displaced from the topsoil by gypsum and leached to a lower depth in the subsoil. In contrast, lime caused pH to increase and Al to decrease substantially in the topsoil, but relatively little change to any soil solution properties was observed in the subsoil. There was an indication that more lime may have leached in the presence of gypsum in the first year after application at one site. Wheat yields were best related to the soil acidity index Al-T/EC (where EC is electrical conductivity of a 1:5 soil:water extract), although the depth at which the relationship was strongest in the subsoil varied between sites. The ratio Al-T/EC was strongly correlated with the activity of monomeric Al species (i.e. the sum of the activities of Al3+, AlOH2+ and Al(OH)+2 in the soil solution. An increase in the concentration of sulfate in the subsoil solution (which increased the ionic strength, thereby decreasing the activity of Al3+, and also increased the amount of Al present as the AlSO+4 ion pair) was probably the most important factor decreasing Al toxicity to wheat. The results indicated that gypsum could be used to increase wheat growth in aluminium toxic subsoils in sandy soils of low rainfall regions and that a simple soil test could be used to predict responses.


1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Aitken ◽  
RA Stephenson ◽  
PW Moody ◽  
EC Gallagher

The chemical properties of the soil at depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-50 cm at two field sites with established macadamia trees were monitored for 5 years following the surface application of various rates of lime (0-1200 g/m2). The effects of annual applications of N and N plus lime were also studied at one site. Both sites received >I700 mm annual rainfall and had strongly acidic, sandy soils. A residual effect of increased pH in the surface soil (0-5 cm depth) was evident after 5 years for lime rates 2200 g/m2. Differences in the nature of the residual effect at each site are discussed in relation to soil acidification, lime dissolution and leaching. High lime rates (>300 g/m2) applied to the soil surface increased pH and reduced extractable A1 in the 10-20 cm depth interval after 12 months. Three years after application, the soil pH at depths of 20-30 and 30-50 cm had been significantly (P < 0.05) increased by surface applications of 600 and 1200 g lime/m2, respectively. The results of this study show that surface application of lime at economic rates (300 to 600 g/m2) can reduce subsoil acidity in coarse-textured soils in high rainfall areas.



Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Edmeades ◽  
DM Wheeler ◽  
OE Clinton

In preliminary experiments a centrifuge method for extracting soil solutions was examined. Neither the time nor speed of centrifuging had any effect on the concentrations of cations in soil solution. The concentration of cations increased with decreasing soil moisture content, and NO3, Ca, Mg, and Na concentrations increased with increasing time of storage of freshly collected moist soils. It was concluded that to obtain soil solutions, which accurately reflect the soil solution composition and ionic strength (I) in situ, requires that soil samples are extracted immediately (<24 h) following sampling from the field. Prior equilibration of soil samples, to adjust soil moisture contents, is therefore not valid. The effect of time of sampling and soil type, and the effects of fertilizer and lime applications, on soil solution composition and ionic strength, were measured on freshly collected field moist topsoils. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, NH, and NO, were lowest in the winter and highest in the summer. Consequently, there was a marked seasonal variation in ionic strength which ranged from 0.003 to 0.016 mol L-1 (mean, 0.005 s.d. 0.003) over time and soil type. Withholding fertilizer (P, K, S, Ca) for two years had only a minor effect on ionic composition and strength, and liming increased solution Ca, Mg and HCO3, but decreased Al, resulting in a twofold increase in ionic strength. These results suggest that the ionic strength of temperate grassland topsoils in New Zealand lie within the range 0.003-0.016 and are typically 0.005.



Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Carr ◽  
GSP Ritchie

Toxic concentrations of soluble A1 in the subsoil decrease the yield of wheat grown on many yellow earths in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia. In our previous research (Carr et al. 1991), we observed variable plant response to high concentrations of soluble Al in subsoils of yellow earths in different regions of the wheatbelt. Environmental conditions (e.g. water supply) and/or an unidentified soil mitigating factor may have contributed to the variable plant response to soluble Al in some of the regions studied. We collected ten soils from four regions of the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia. In a glasshouse experiment using these soils, we studied the effect of soil solution and KCl extract properties on wheat growth under uniform environmental conditions. The concentration of Al in a 0.005 M KCl extract was able to explain 97% of the variation in root fresh weight of wheat grown in the 10 soils, even though the soil solution properties were found to differ markedly between regions. For example, 97% of the variation in root fresh weight (RFW) was explained by the total [Al] in soil solution extracted from soils in one region (Merredin). In comparison, 58% of the variation in RFW was explained by the total [Al] in the soil solution extracted from soils collected from all four regions studied. Ionic strength differences and possibly [SO4] were the major chemical properties that differed between Merredin and the other regions studied. These chemical differences presumably altered the toxic proportion of Al in the soil solution, and hence, the plant response in some regions. The effect of ionic strength on toxic Al appeared to be simulated by extraction of the soil with 0.005 M KCl.



Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
DC Edmeades ◽  
DM Wheeler ◽  
OE Clinton

In preliminary experiments a centrifuge method for extracting soil solutions was examined. Neither the time nor speed of centrifuging had any effect on the concentrations of cations in soil solution. The concentration of cations increased with decreasing soil moisture content, and NO3, Ca, Mg, and Na concentrations increased with increasing time of storage of freshly collected moist soils. It was concluded that to obtain soil solutions, which accurately reflect the soil solution composition and ionic strength (I) in situ, requires that soil samples are extracted immediately (<24 h) following sampling from the field. Prior equilibration of soil samples, to adjust soil moisture contents, is therefore not valid. The effect of time of sampling and soil type, and the effects of fertilizer and lime applications, on soil solution composition and ionic strength, were measured on freshly collected field moist topsoils. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, NH, and NO, were lowest in the winter and highest in the summer. Consequently, there was a marked seasonal variation in ionic strength which ranged from 0.003 to 0.016 mol L-1 (mean, 0.005 s.d. 0.003) over time and soil type. Withholding fertilizer (P, K, S, Ca) for two years had only a minor effect on ionic composition and strength, and liming increased solution Ca, Mg and HCO3, but decreased Al, resulting in a twofold increase in ionic strength. These results suggest that the ionic strength of temperate grassland topsoils in New Zealand lie within the range 0.003-0.016 and are typically 0.005.



Soil Research ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 835 ◽  
Author(s):  
CDA Mclay ◽  
GSP Ritchie ◽  
WM Porter

Amelioration of subsoil acidity using gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) or lime (CaCO3) was studied on sandy textured soils with low water holding capacity in a low rainfall environment. Field trials were established in 1989 at two sites on yellow sandplain soils to investigate whether different rates, sources and combinations of gypsum and lime application could be used to increase wheat and lupin yields. Gypsum increased wheat yields by up to 45% in the first two growing seasons whereas lime increased wheat yields by up to only 15% in the second season. The highest yields were generally recorded when gypsum and lime were applied together. The response of wheat to the various treatments varied both regionally and temporally and it is suggested that the inherent soil solution composition affected the magnitude and rapidity of wheat responses to gypsum. The rate of gypsum application affected the longevity of the wheat responses, with a low application rate (1 t ha-1) increasing yields for only one season. No differences in wheat yields were recorded between different sources of gypsum or application rates higher than 3 t ha-1. In contrast to wheat, lupin yields were substantially lower on gypsum-treated plots. The yield decline did not appear to be related to any simple nutritional factor and the gypsum effect was generally minimized when lime was added with the gypsum. The results indicated that lower rates of gypsum than used in previous subsoil amelioration studies were suitable for increasing wheat yields on sandy soils in low rainfall environments, and that gypsum should not be used if lupins are to be grown within at least 2 years of its application to the soil surface.



2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-200
Author(s):  
Anca-Luiza Stanila ◽  
Catalin Cristian Simota ◽  
Mihail Dumitru

Highlighting the sandy soil of Oltenia Plain calls for a better knowledge of their variability their correlation with major natural factors from each physical geography. Pedogenetic processes specific sandy soils are strongly influenced by nature parent material. This leads, on the one hand, climate aridity of the soil due to strong heating and accumulation of small water reserves, consequences emphasizing the moisture deficit in the development of the vegetation and favoring weak deflation, and on the other hand, an increase in mineralization organic matter. Relief under wind characteristic sandy land, soil formation and distribution has some particularly of flat land with the land formed on the loess. The dune ridges are less evolved soils, profile underdeveloped and poorly supplied with nutrients compared to those on the slopes of the dunes and the interdune, whose physical and chemical properties are more favorable to plant growth.Both Romanati Plain and the Blahnita (Mehedinti) Plain and Bailesti Plain, sand wind shaped covering a finer material, loamy sand and even loess (containing up to 26% clay), also rippled with negative effects in terms of overall drainage. Depending on the pedogenetic physical and geographical factors that have contributed to soil cover, in the researched were identified following classes of soils: protisols, cernisols, cambisols, luvisols, hidrisols and antrosols.Obtaining appropriate agricultural production requires some land improvement works (especially fitting for irrigation) and agropedoameliorative works. Particular attention should be paid to preventing and combating wind erosion.





2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6982
Author(s):  
Chiara Ferronato ◽  
Gilmo Vianello ◽  
Mauro De Feudis ◽  
Livia Vittori Antisari

The study of Technosols development, spatial distribution and physicochemical characteristics is becoming more and more important in the Anthropocene Era. The aim of the present study was to assess soil features and potential heavy metal release risk of soils developed on different mine tailing types after the waste disposal derived from mining activity in Central Italy. Soils were analyzed for their morphological, physical and chemical properties, and a chemical sequential extraction of heavy metals was performed. The investigated soils were classified as Technosols toxic having in some layer within 50 cm of the soil surface inorganic materials with high concentrations of toxic elements. Our findings showed that the bioavailability of potentially toxic element concentrations in the soil changed according to the origin of the mine tailing. However, because of the acidic pH, there is a serious risk of metals leaching which was reduced where the soil organic matter content was higher.



2003 ◽  
Vol 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruo Sato

ABSTRACTIn-diffusion experiments for Cs+ and I− in sandstone were performed as a function of ionic strength ([NaCl]=0.01, 0.51M) and tracer concentration ([CsI]=7.5E-5, 1.5E-2M) together with the measurements of the physical and chemical properties of sandstone, and apparent diffusivities (Da) for Cs+ were obtained. The obtained Da-values for Cs+ scarcely depended on [NaCl], but increased with increasing [Cs+]. This trend is consistent with that of rock capacity factors (α), indicating that distribution coefficient (Kd) onto sandstone and effective diffusivity scarcely depend on [NaCl]. The concentration profiles of I− were all in already breakthrough. Although this indicates that I− diffusion is faster than that of Cs+, the concentration profiles of I− may have been lower than those for blank samples, judging synthetically from the correlations between α-values and the concentration profiles of Cs+ and from the concentration profiles of I− in the blank samples. Finally, the effects of [Cs+] and[NaCl] on Kd/-values for Cs+ were discussed from the viewpoint of adsorption by ion exchange and electrostatic attraction. The kd-values were considered to be combined sorption by both reactions.



1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Fleming ◽  
D. S. Mossa

A series of spot seeding experiments was set out on coarse-textured upland sites in northwestern Ontario to investigate how black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedling establishment and growth could be improved by site selection and seedbed preparation. Virtually all germination occurred within the first growing season. Annual seedling mortality rates were greatest during the first year, then declined steadily and stabilized at low levels (<10%) after the third year. The highest fifth-year establishment ratios (seedlings/viable seed sown) were found on seedbeds derived from materials near the mineral soil/humus interface. On wetter sites (i.e., higher Soil Moisture Regimes) the best seedbeds occurred closer to the soil surface. Mean fifth year establishment ratios for the best seedbeds were 0.032 on moderately fresh to fresh sites, 0.146 on very fresh to moderately moist sites, and 0.082 on moist to very moist sites. On adjacent lowland sites, slow-growing, compact Sphagnum mosses had a mean establishment ratio of 0.179. Mean fifth-year seedling heights on upland sites ranged from 12 to 14 cm, and were not strongly correlated with site or seedbed type. Key words: direct seeding, black spruce, seedbed, seedling establishment, site type and germination



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