کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
---|---|---|---|---|
6364119 | 1623010 | 2015 | 7 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
- We tested dispersion techniques for subtropical soils granulometry analysis.
- Soils tested presented varying soil texture, clay mineralogy and organic matter.
- Clay dispersion was affected mainly by horizontal reciprocating shaking times.
- The standard method can be replaced by horizontal shaking for 240Â min.
- The new technique will speed-up laboratory routines to obtain reliable results.
Incomplete soil dispersion in particle-size analysis reduces clay content and increases silt and sand contents, whereas abrasion affects size distribution by large particles' breakdown into smaller size-fractions. We evaluated different dispersion techniques on particle-size distribution in ten soil horizons of seven soils from southern Brazil, with varying soil texture, clay mineralogy and organic matter. We tested two contact times of chemical dispersant (sodium hydroxide 1Â M): immediate shaking and shaking after 12Â h of contact; three types of spheres: glass, technyl and nylon; five horizontal reciprocating shaking times (30, 60, 120, 240 and 480Â min); and standard method (electric mixer) with chemical dispersant (sodium hydroxide 1Â M), 12Â h of contact time, plus 15Â min of physical stirring at 12,000Â rpm. Soils with high contents of clay and iron oxides or exchangeable aluminum were less dispersible, respectively, because of organo-mineral complexes and aluminum affinity to organic matter and clay minerals. Soils with kaolinite and quartz and with low organic matter content in the B horizon were easily dispersible. Nylon spheres are adequate for physical dispersion, either immediately or 12Â h after addition of chemical dispersant. Horizontal shaking for 60 or 120Â min is sufficient for adequate dispersion of kaolinitic soils, while for soils of difficult dispersion, such as oxidic soils, 240Â min of horizontal shaking is necessary. For water dispersible clay, horizontal shaking during 240Â min is suggested. These results allow for standardizing the contact time of chemical dispersant, horizontal shaking timing, and sphere types, for soils with varying texture, clay mineralogy and organic matter, in laboratories working in tropical environments, with improved dispersion and time saving.
Journal: Geoderma Regional - Volume 5, August 2015, Pages 64-70