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X‐Ray Characteristics of Clay Minerals as Related to Potassium Fixation
Author(s) -
Kunze G. W.,
Jeffries C. D.
Publication year - 1953
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1953.03615995001700030014x
Subject(s) - potassium , divalent , chemistry , soil water , clay minerals , mineralogy , geology , soil science , organic chemistry
Abstract Evidence is presented to support on structural grounds the early potassium fixation theories based on entrapment of the potassium ion due to the closure of the interlayer spaces. Field surface samples (0–6 in.) of 15 soils classified as Gray‐Brown Podzolics from which the clay was extracted served as experimental material. The soil‐clays were saturated with potassium and a divalent cation and the effect on the basal spacings noted. X‐ray diffraction results suggested that those soil‐clays which showed a strong 10 angstrom line when potassium saturated as contrasted to a strong 14 angstrom line when saturated with a divalent cation were relatively high fixers of potassium. Those soil‐clays which showed little or no shifting of the larger basal spacings toward 10 angstroms when saturated with potassium were found to be relatively low fixers of potassium.