Plastic limits of agricultural soils as functions of soil texture and organic matter content

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Keller ◽  
Anthony R. Dexter
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Liquid Limit ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Pedotransfer Functions ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Yield Information

The plastic limits (lower plastic limit, PL; and liquid limit, LL) are important soil properties that can yield information on soil mechanical behaviour. The objective of this paper is to study the plastic limits of agricultural soils as functions of soil texture and organic matter (OM) content. The plastic limits were highly related to the clay content. The LL was more strongly correlated with clay than was PL, but the reasons are unclear. Interestingly, PL was virtually unaffected by clay content for soils with clay contents below ~35%. The OM had a strong effect on the plastic limits. This effect was clearly demonstrated when analysing soils of similar texture with a range of OM. We present equations (pedotransfer functions) for estimation of PL, LL, and plasticity index (PI) from soil texture and OM. Finally, we predict that the clay content must be ≥10% for soils without OM to be plastic; however, soils with <10% clay can be plastic if OM is present. More research is needed to investigate OM effects on soil consistency.

scholarly journals Sorption Behavior of Lead (Pb) onto Agricultural Soils of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ‎Pakistan: Potentials for Leaching

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iqbal Ahmad ◽  
Bushra Khan ◽  
Nida Gul ◽  
Muhammad Khan ◽  
Javaid Iqbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Sorption Isotherms ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Sorption Behavior ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Clay Loam

Abstract Lead (Pb) contamination in soil and subsequent transport in groundwater poses severe threats to the food safety and human health. In current study, the effects of soil organic matter on sorption behavior of Pb onto six agricultural soils were investigated by batch sorption experiments and microscopic characterization. Results indicated that Pb sorption onto agricultural soils was dominated by the soil organic matter content and soil texture. The decrease of organic matter content reduced the sorption capacity of Pb onto agricultural soils. Based on soil texture, the Pb sorption was highest in clay soil and lowest in silt type of soil. The overall Pb sorption was in the order of clay > clay loam > silty clay loam ≈ loam > silt loam > silt. The sorption isotherms of measured aqueous and soil phase Pb concentrations were fit well with the linear sorption model. The organic carbon normalized partition coefficients (Log KOC) ranged from 2.90 to 2.99. Linear partition coefficient (Kd) values were positively correlated with the soil properties, such as clay (R2 =0.90), OC (R2 =0.94) and pH (R2 = 0.45); however, weak correlation was found between Kd and soil sand contents (R2 = 0.12). The leachability model showed potential risk of Pb leaching from silt soil with lowest organic matter content. The findings are of significant importance for understanding potential threats of Pb to the soil ecosystem, groundwater, plants, and humans.

scholarly journals Geophysical methods to assess soil characteristics

2021 ◽  
pp. 139-174
Author(s):  
Ho-Chul Shin ◽  
◽  
Guillaume Blanchy ◽  
Ian Shield ◽  
Peter Fruen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Physical Characteristics ◽  
Seismic Coupling

This chapter explores the use of geophysical methods to assess soil physical characteristics. The chapter begins by reviewing the geophysical properties of soil, such as clay content and organic matter content. It then moves on to discuss the electromagnetic induction method and its application, then examines electrical resistivity and its application. Acoustic-to-seismic coupling is also reviewed in terms of creating a model and its application. The chapter concludes by providing an overview of the several geophysical methods that can be used to measure various characteristics of agricultural soils.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Microbial Formation of Nitrate-Nitrogen in Soil and Their Effects on Fertilizer Nitrogen Use Efficiency

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Olness ◽  
Dian Lopez ◽  
David Archer ◽  
Jason Cordes ◽  
Colin Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Soil Clay ◽  
Soil Clay Content

Mineralization of soil organic matter is governed by predictable factors with nitrate-N as the end product. Crop production interrupts the natural balance, accelerates mineralization of N, and elevates levels of nitrate-N in soil. Six factors determine nitrate-N levels in soils: soil clay content, bulk density, organic matter content, pH, temperature, and rainfall. Maximal rates of N mineralization require an optimal level of air-filled pore space. Optimal air-filled pore space depends on soil clay content, soil organic matter content, soil bulk density, and rainfall. Pore space is partitioned into water- and air-filled space. A maximal rate of nitrate formation occurs at a pH of 6.7 and rather modest mineralization rates occur at pH 5.0 and 8.0. Predictions of the soil nitrate-N concentrations with a relative precision of 1 to 4 μg N g–1of soil were obtained with a computerized N fertilizer decision aid. Grain yields obtained using the N fertilizer decision aid were not measurably different from those using adjacent farmer practices, but N fertilizer use was reduced by >10%. Predicting mineralization in this manner allows optimal N applications to be determined for site-specific soil and weather conditions.

scholarly journals A small rainfall simulator for the determination of soil erodibility.

1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kamphorst
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Highly Sensitive

A small rainfall simulator is described, which can be used in the field as well as in the laboratory for the determination of infiltration and erosion characterisitcs of soils. It is particularly suitable for soil conservation surveys, as it is light to carry and easy to handle in the field. A description is given of a standard procedure for the determination of topsoil erodibilities in the field and some results are presented. The method appears to be highly sensitive to soil properties influencing soil erodibility, such as clay content, organic matter content and soil pH. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

Surfactant Effects on Picloram Adsorption by Soils

Weed Science ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Gaynor ◽  
V. V. Volk
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Cationic Surfactant ◽  
Anionic Surfactant ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Surfactant Solution ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Adsorption Sites ◽  
Surfactant Solutions ◽  
Extractable Al

The effects of soil organic matter, clay, extractable Al, cation exchange capacity, and pH on the adsorption of picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) from aqueous and surfactant solutions were investigated. Linear adsorption isotherms for the soils were obtained with the Freundlich equation. Of the five soil properties investigated, Freundlich K values correlated with extractable Al and clay content. Picloram adsorption from aqueous solutions and from the non-ionic and anionic surfactant solutions was greater on the soils at pH 5 than at pH 7. The anionic surfactant competed with picloram for adsorption sites on the soils at pH 5. Picloram adsorption from solutions containing 0.1 and 1% cationic surfactant was greater than that from aqeuous and anionic and nonionic surfactant solutions. Picloram adsorption from the 10% cationic surfactant solution was similar on soils with pH 5 and 7 and increased with decreased organic matter content.

scholarly journals Relationship of soil properties to fractionation, bioavailability and mobility of lead and zinc in soil

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Finžgar ◽  
P. Tlustoš ◽  
D. Leštan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Matter Content

Sequential extractions, metal uptake by <i>Taraxacum officinale</i>, Ruby&rsquo;s physiologically based extraction test (PBET) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), were used to assess the risk of Pb and Zn in contaminated soils, and to determine relationships among soil characteristics, heavy metals soil fractionation, bioavailability and leachability. Regression analysis using linear and 2nd order polynomial models indicated relationships between Pb and Zn contamination and soil properties, although of small significance (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Statistically highly significant correlations (<i>P</i> < 0.001) were obtained using multiple regression analysis. A correlation between soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil organic matter and clay content was expected. The proportion of Pb in the PBET intestinal phase correlated with total soil Pb and Pb bound to soil oxides and the organic matter fraction. The leachable Pb, extracted with TCLP, correlated with the Pb bound to carbonates and soil organic matter content (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 69%). No highly significant correlations (<i>P</i> < 0.001) for Zn with soil properties or Zn fractionation were obtained using multiple regression.

scholarly journals Response of Fractal Analysis to Soil Quality Succession in Long-Term Compound Soil Improvement of Mu Us Sandy Land, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Haiou Zhang ◽  
Jiancang Xie ◽  
Jichang Han ◽  
Haipeng Nan ◽  
Zhen Guo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soft Rock ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Sandy Land ◽  
Mu Us Sandy Land

The degraded aeolian sandy soil in China’s Mu Us Sandy Land requires amendment before it can be suitable for maize or other agricultural production. The addition of material from the local “soft” bedrock can create a new compound soil whose particle composition and structural stability are key issues for sustainable soil development in the region. We used field data from 2010 to 2018 to study the variations in fractal characteristics of compound soil particles at soft rock to sand volume ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 5, along with changes in soil organic matter. Over the study period, all three compound soils showed gradual increases in clay and silt content with corresponding decreasing sand content. The fractal dimension (FD) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 increased by 8.8%, higher than those at 1 : 1 (8.6%) and 1 : 5 (7.7%). The organic matter content (OMC) of particles at ratio 1 : 2 reached a maximum (6.24 ± 0.30 g/kg), an increase of 12 times over the original value. The FD and OMC of particles at ratios 1 : 1 and 1 : 5 were less stable but showed overall increase. The 1 : 2 ratio compound soil was most suitable for maize growth as its clear increase in silt and clay content most improved the texture and OMC of the original sandy soil. Such research has important theoretical and practical significance for understanding the evolutionary mechanism and sustainable use of the compound soil in agriculture within the Mu Us Sandy Land.

scholarly journals Diversity and distribution of crustaceans from 13 sheltered sandy beaches along São Sebastião Channel, south-eastern Brazil

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.R. Nucci ◽  
A. Turra ◽  
E.H. Morgado
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Fine Sand ◽  
Sandy Beaches ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Sediment Grain Size ◽  
Crustacean Species ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil

The crustacean species composition in the intertidal zones of 13 sheltered unconsolidated marine beaches in south-eastern Brazil is described. Fifty-three crustacean species were collected, adding 46 species to the total reported by previous studies in the same region. Decapods dominated the community, in contrast to exposed sandy beaches where peracarids normally predominate. The species were distributed irregularly among the beaches. Richness varied markedly among sites, and was positively related to a combination of factors such as fine sand grains, high organic matter content, and relatively low silt–clay content. The presence of rock fragments enabled both rocky shore and sandy beach crustaceans to occur on the same beaches. Richness and abundance of crustaceans showed no clear relationship to sediment grain size and slope, in contrast to the norm for exposed sandy beaches. The dominance of the tanaid Kalliapseudes schubarti in some areas may be a result of organic matter pollution in the region. These beaches showed higher species richness than typical sheltered and exposed sandy beaches, indicating that this sheltered, highly heterogeneous seascape is an important area for conservation.

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