The constitution and properties of soils have their macroscopic and microscopic aspects. Macroscopically, the profile of a soil consists of several horizons, each containing numerous aggregates and blocks of soil particles of different sizes. These structures are visible to the naked eye. Microscopically, a soil is composed of many kinds of minerals and organic matter interlinked in a complex manner. In addition, a soil is always inhabited by numerous microorganisms which can be observed by modern scientific instruments. To study these various aspects, several branches of soil science, such as soil geography, soil mineralogy, and soil microbiology, have been developed. If examined on a more minute scale, it can be found that most of the chemical reactions in a soil occur at the interface between soil colloidal surface and solution or in the solution adjacent to this interface. This is because these colloidal surfaces carry negative as well as positive charges, thus reacting with ions, protons, and electrons of the solution. The presence of surface charge is the basic cause of the fertility of a soil and is also the principal criterion that distinguishes soil from pure sand. The chief objective of soil chemical research is to deal with the interactions among charged particles (colloids, ions, protons, electrons) and their chemical consequences in soils. As depicted in Fig. 1.1, these charged particles are closely interrelated. The surface charge of soil colloids is the basic reason that a soil possesses a series of chemical properties. At present, considerable knowledge has been accumulated about the permanent charge of soils. On the other hand, our understanding is still at an early stage about the mechanisms and the affecting factors of variable charge. The quantity of surface charge determines the amount of ions that a soil can adsorb, whereas the surface charge density is the determining factor of adsorbing strength for these ions. Because of the complexities in the composition of soils, the distribution of positive and negative charges is uneven on the surface of soil colloidal particles. Insight into the origin and the distribution of these charges should contribute to a sound foundation of the surface chemistry of soils.
Pursue the truth, devote to education: Chen Hua-Kui, a respectable educator and pioneer of China’s soil microbiology
