scholarly journals Soil Morphology, Physico-chemical Properties, Classification and Potential of Selected Soils in Kenya

Author(s):  
Anne N. Karuma

Four soil profiles (Yala, Galana, Baringo and Bondo) that represent different ecology, physiography and pedological variability were described to study their morphology, soil physico-chemical characteristics and to classify them using two internationally known soil classification systems. Soil samples were taken from designated pedogenic horizons for physical and chemical analysis in the laboratory. These soils are deep to very deep (> 110 cm) and well-drained except in Galana which was imperfectly drained, with varying textures. In Bondo, the soils are moderately acid (pH 5.6 – 6). In Baringo, the soil profile is acidic (< 5.0) while in Galana moderately alkaline (pH 7.3 - 8.3) and Yala soils are moderate to strongly acid (5.1 - 5.7). The organic carbon (< 0.6%) and organic matter levels (1 – 2%) were low and decreased down the profiles in all. The soils have low to moderate fertility. The base saturation of the studied soils is rated as very high (> 80%) in Galana and Baringo and low (< 50%) in Yala and Bondo pedons. The soils are non-saline as indicated by the low values of electrical conductivity (< 1.7dS/m) in the pedons. The soils are non-sodic (ESP < 6%) in Bondo and Yala, however moderately sodic (ESP 11-15%) in Galana and Baringo. Ochric horizon was the main diagnostic epipedon while ferralic, argillic and cambic horizons were the diagnostic B horizons. According to USDA Soil Taxonomy, the soils were classified as Typic Haplustox (Yala), Typic Haplocalcids (Galana), Typic Eutrudepts (Baringo) and Plinthic Haplustults (Bondo) corresponding to Haplic Ferralsols, Luvic Calcisols, Haplic Cambisol and Cutanic Plinthic Acrisols in the WRB for Soil Resources. The general fertility of the soils of the areas is discussed highlighting their potentials and constraints.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1466
Author(s):  
Léya Rodrigues Cabral ◽  
Gustavo Souza Valladares ◽  
Marcos Gervasio Pereira ◽  
Carlos Roberto Pinheiro Júnior ◽  
Andréa Maciel Lima ◽  
...  

A diversidade natural dos solos reflete na paisagem a sua própria evolução, sendo estes resultados das interações entre os fatores de formação: material de origem, relevo, clima, organismos e tempo. Tais fatores, adjuntos aos processos pedogenéticos na evolução dos solos, definirão suas propriedades físicas e químicas, fundamentais para a caracterização dos solos. Nesse sentido, este estudo tem com o objetivo geral caracterizar e classificar os tipos de solos da planície do Delta do Parnaíba, localizada na região do Norte Piauiense, tendo como limite natural os rios Parnaíba e Igaraçu e o oceano Atlântico. Para a identificação e caracterização dos perfis de solos, foram realizadas atividades de campo, a fim de descrever e coletar os solos mais representativos na área de estudo. Foram descritos e coletados quinze perfis de solo por meio de trincheiras e tradagens, com extensões profundamente suficientes para avaliação das características morfológicas. Os critérios e procedimentos metodológicos seguiram a padronização adotada no Brasil. As análises físicas e químicas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Gênese e Classificação dos Solos da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Através dos resultados analisados foi possível classificar os solos de acordo com os níveis categóricos do Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação dos solos. As principais ordens de solos encontradas na área de estudo foram os Neossolos, Planossolos, Gleissolos, Espodossolos, Cambissolos e os Vertissolos. Novas classificações foram sugeridas, devido a características significativas encontradas nos perfis de solos que não se enquadrarem no Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos.  A B S T R A C TThe natural diversity of the soils reflects in the landscape its own evolution, being these results of the interactions between the factors of formation: material of origin, relief, climate, organisms and time. These factors, coupled with pedogenetic processes in soil evolution, will define their physical and chemical properties, fundamental for soil characterization. In this sense, this study has the general objective of characterizing and classifying the soil types of the Parnaíba Delta plains, located in the North Piauiense region, with the Parnaíba and Igaraçu rivers and the Atlantic Ocean as their natural limit. For the identification and characterization of soil profiles, field activities were carried out in order to describe and collect the most representative soils in the study area. Fifteen soil profiles were described and collected through trenches and traditions, with extensions deep enough to evaluate the morphological characteristics. The criteria and methodological procedures followed the standardization adopted in Brazil. Physical and chemical analyzes were performed at the Genesis and Soil Classification Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. Through the analyzed results it was possible to classify the soils according to the categorical levels of the Brazilian Soil Classification System. The main orders of soils found in the study area were the Neosols, Planosols, Gleysols, Spodosols, Cambisols and Vertisols. New classifications were suggested, due to significant characteristics found in soil profiles that do not fit into the Brazilian Soil Classification System.Keywords: Soil classification; Parnaíba Delta: pedogenetic processes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Majder-łopatka ◽  
Wiesław Szulc ◽  
Beata Rutkowska ◽  
Dominik Ptasiński ◽  
Witold Kazberuk

Abstract The aim of the research was to determine whether, and to what extent, a surface fire of forest areas determines changes in physical and chemical properties of the soil. The test material consisted of soil samples taken from soil profiles exposed in a burnt-out area and in an area unaffected by fire. The samples were analyzed for total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents, and also selected indicators of soil acidification. As a result of the tests, it was found that there was a decrease in the levels of organic carbon (by over 75%) and nitrogen (by 50%). A negative effect of the changes was the narrowing of the C/N ratio, a positive one – an increase in soil pH (from 3.14 to 4.67), and a several-times reduction in hydrolytic and exchangeable acidity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Joko Priyono ◽  
Ismail Yasin ◽  
Muhammad Dahlan ◽  
Bustan Bustan

TA descriptive research aimed to identify the characteristics and name of main soils in Lombok Island was carried out through field observation for soil profiles and landform and laboratory analyses for soil physical and chemical properties. The type or name of soil was defined by using The National (Indonesian) Soil Classification System (2014), Soil Taxonomy (SSS-USDA, 2014), and World Soil Reference (FAO, 2014). There were 4 main types of soil in Lombok Island, which were Litosol, Aluvial, Kambisol, and Vertisol; and a fairly developed soil in limited spots was Mediteran. Based on the soil taxonomy system, those soils were respectively equivalent to Orthents, Fluvents, Undepts, Underts, and Udalfs; whereas based on the soil system of FAO, were Leptisols, Fluvisols, Cambisols, Vertisols, and Luvisols. The main characteristics of Litosol/Orthents/Leptosols Lombok were shallow solum (< 25 cm on the rocks or lithic contacts), coarse textured (sandy), nutritionally deficient, very low CEC (< 5 cmolc.kg-) and C-organic content (< 1 %). Aluvial or Fluvents, were mainly utilized as paddy soil, consisting of several layers which it clay and C-organic content were changed irregularly with depth, CEC of top soil (Ap) was medium (5–10 cmolc.kg-), and it was relatively fertile. Kambisols or Undepts was fairly deep (consisting of 40 – 60 cm of A and B horizons,), loamy textured, fairly fertile, CEC was medium, and C-organic content was low – medium (1–2 %). Vertisol or Uderts was characterized by a significant swell-shrinking properties, clay textured, extremely hard to be cultivated, high CEC, Ca, and Mg, and relatively fertile soil. Mediteran or Udalf was a further developed soil (solum > 100 cm), clay translocation has been occurred from upper (E) to lower horizons (Bt), CEC was fair, and it was relatively fertile soil. In conclusion, the pedologic development of soils in Lombok Island was relatively slow due mainly to the low–moderate rainfall, and the soil types were dominated by Litosols, Aluvials, Kambisols, and Vertisols, and Mediteran in small area. In order to provide a complete reference for the characteristics of main soils in Lombok Island, it necessaries to define mineralogy composition through X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) of the clay fractions of the soils


2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leszek Majgier ◽  
Oimahmad Rahmonov

Abstract The paper shows the occurrences of cemetery soils and the physico-chemical features of soils in the cemeteries Słabowo and Szymonka (Great Mazurian Lakes District). Necrosols are anthropogenic soils and belong to Urbanosols. They form only in the area of cemeteries. Four soil profiles (Necrosols) were investigated in terms of morphological description and chemical properties especially phosphorus (Pt), organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (Nt). These profiles were compared with the reference profile (Rusty soil, according to WRB 2007 Brunic Arenosol) made outside the cemetery. On the basis of research Necrosol has been defined as a soil formed by special human activity in cemeteries and burial grounds with specific soil horizon sequence, and also physical and chemical properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Maria Merone ◽  
Angela Tartaglia ◽  
Enrica Rosato ◽  
Cristian D’Ovidio ◽  
Abuzar Kabir ◽  
...  

Background: Ionic liquids (ILs) are a unique class of compounds consisting exclusively of cations and anions that possess distinctive properties such as low volatility, high thermal stability, miscibility with water and organic solvents, electrolytic conductivity and non-flammability. Ionic liquids have been defined as "design solvents", because it is possible to modify their physical and chemical properties by appropriately choosing cations and anions, in order to meet the specific characteristics based on their potential application. Introduction: Due of their tunable nature and properties, ILs are considered as the perfect candidates for numerous applications in analytical chemistry including sample preparation, stationary phases in liquid or gas chromatography, additives in capillary electrophoresis, or in mass spectrometry for spectral and electrochemical analysis. In the last years, the number of publications regarding ILs has rapidly increased, highlighting the broad applications of these compounds in various fields of analytical chemistry. Results: This review first described the main physico-chemical characteristics of ionic liquids, and subsequently reported the various applications in different subdisciplines of analytical chemistry, including the extraction procedure and separation techniques. Furthermore, in each paragraph the most recent applications of ionic liquids in the food, environmental, biological, etc. fields have been described. Conclusion: Overall, the topic discussed highlights the key role of ionic liquids in analytical chemistry, giving hints for their future applications in chemistry but also in biology and medicine.


2021 ◽  
pp. 10-24
Author(s):  
C. R. Abah ◽  
C. N. Ishiwu ◽  
J. E. Obiegbuna ◽  
E. F. Okpalanma ◽  
C. S. Anarado

Quality cassava(Manihotesculentus, Crantz) flour is often influenced by process variables such as slice weight and soaking time which may affect its nutritional quality. In this study, the effect of process variables (slice weight and soaking time) on quality of cassava flour was carried out. Cassava root was peeled, washed and cut into varied sizes (25.86 - 54.14 g) and soaked at varied time (7.03 - 40.97 h). The proximate composition, physical and chemical properties of the flour were carried out using standard methods. The result in our findings showed that slice weight and soaking time had significant increase (p<0.05) on the proximate and physico-chemical properties of the flour.The amylose and amylopectin content of the flour increased with increasing soaking time while the hydrogen cyanide content decreased with increase in soaking time. Overall, the quality cassava flour displayed desirable properties for its incorporation into baked goods.


Agro-Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-61
Author(s):  
F.C. Okenmuo ◽  
C.O. Anochie ◽  
M.E. Ukabiala ◽  
C.L.A. Asadu ◽  
P.K. Kefas ◽  
...  

The soils of Atani floodplain in Anambra State of Nigeria contribute significantly to the food production of the State, hence the need to understand their behavior in order to enhance their management and productivity. Profile pits were sited along three physiographic units viz: levee crest, levee  slope and flood basin. Soil samples were collected from the profile horizons and subjected to standard laboratory procedures. Characterization of the soils was based on their morphological, physical and chemical properties. Soil classification was carried out using the USDA Soil Taxonomy and correlated with FAO/IUSS World Reference Base. Its agricultural potential was assessed using the fertility capability classification. The soils were deep. Topsoil colour was dominantly blackish black (10YR 3/2). Mottles were pervasive; an indication of impeded drainage conditions. The soils were predominantly fine textured. Soil pH values ranged from 4.8 to 6.2. Exchangeable Calcium was low to moderate (2.6-8.2 cmol kg−1); Magnesium was moderate to high (1.6-6.8 cmol kg−1); Sodium was high to very high (1.0-2.5 cmol kg−1), while potassium was high (1.2-4.2 cmol kg−1). Cation  exchange capacity values ranged from 11.6 to 42.6 cmol kg−1. Total nitrogen was very low to low (0.14-1.12 g kg−1), while organic carbon was low to moderate (0.4-15.2 g kg−1). Available phosphorus was very low to high ranging from 0.93 to 31.71 mg kg−1 while base saturation ranged from 64 to 93%. The soils were classified as Typic Fluvaquents (Typic Fluvisols), Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts (Endostagnic Cambisols) and Fluventic Endoaquepts (Endostagnic Cambisols) according to the USDA and FAO/IUSS. The fertility capability evaluation of the soils revealed that the pedons were Lgn in classification due to limitations in drainage. Key words: alluvium, cambic horizon, Inceptisols, lithologic discontinuity


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Haynl ◽  
Jitraporn Vongsvivut ◽  
Kai R. H. Mayer ◽  
Hendrik Bargel ◽  
Vanessa J. Neubauer ◽  
...  

Abstract Our understanding of the extraordinary mechanical and physico-chemical properties of spider silk is largely confined to the fibers produced by orb-weaving spiders, despite the diversity of foraging webs that occur across numerous spider families. Crab spiders (Thomisidae) are described as ambush predators that do not build webs, but nevertheless use silk for draglines, egg cases and assembling leaf-nests. A little-known exception is the Australian thomisid Saccodomus formivorus, which constructs a basket-like silk web of extraordinary dimensional stability and structural integrity that facilitates the capture of its ant prey. We examined the physical and chemical properties of this unusual web and revealed that the web threads comprise microfibers that are embedded within a biopolymeric matrix containing additionally longitudinally-oriented submicron fibers. We showed that the micro- and submicron fibers differ in their chemical composition and that the web threads show a remarkable lateral resilience compared with that of the major ampullate silk of a well-investigated orb weaver. Our novel analyses of these unusual web and silk characteristics highlight how investigations of non-model species can broaden our understanding of silks and the evolution of foraging webs.


1970 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Fantes

Antiviral interferon activity in any one species can be exhibited by a variety of substances that differ in their physical and chemical properties, but the nature of these differences is not understood. Conditions that can lead to the formation of diverse types of interferons have been outlined. Reasons have been adduced why, for certain purposes, purification of interferons is desirable or even necessary, and examples have been presented to show how and to what extent this has been achieved. In spite of some very high purification factors, not a single interferon has been obtained as a pure substance. Therefore, all available knowledge of physical and chemical properties has been obtained by indirect means.


Author(s):  
Tibor Tóth

Soil salinity has been causing problems for agriculturists for millennia, primarily in irrigated lands. The importance of salinity issues is increasing, since large areas are affected by irrigation-induced salt accumulation. A wide knowledge base has been collected to better understand the major processes of salt accumulation and choose the right method of mitigation. There are two major types of soil salinity that are distinguished because of different properties and mitigation requirements. The first is caused mostly by the large salt concentration and is called saline soil, typically corresponding to Solonchak soils. The second is caused mainly by the dominance of sodium in the soil solution or on the soil exchange complex. This latter type is called “sodic” soil, corresponding to Solonetz soils. Saline soils have homogeneous soil profiles with relatively good soil structure, and their appropriate mitigation measure is leaching. Naturally sodic soils have markedly different horizons and unfavorable physical properties, such as low permeability, swelling, plasticity when wet, and hardness when dry, and their limitation for agriculture is mitigated typically by applying gypsum. Salinity and sodicity need to be chemically quantified before deciding on the proper management strategy. The most complex management and mitigation of salinized irrigated lands involves modern engineering including calculations of irrigation water rates and reclamation materials, provisions for drainage, and drainage disposal. Mapping-oriented soil classification was developed for naturally saline and sodic soils and inherited the first soil categories introduced more than a century ago, such as Solonchak and Solonetz in most of the total of 24 soil classification systems used currently. USDA Soil Taxonomy is one exception, which uses names composed of formative elements.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document