HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Klages, M. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Klages, M. G. GeoRef GeoRef Citation Agricola Articles by Klages, M. G.

Weathering of Montmorillonite During Formation of a Solodic Soil II. Nature of the Mixed Layer Products¹

ABSTRACT

The Solodic (Paleargid) soil being studied had previously been shown to have clay mineralogy similar to that of associated Chestnut (Argiustol) and Solodized-Solonetz (Natrargid) soils. Mica and montmorillonite were the dominant clay minerals in the calcareous glacial till parent material. Montmorillonite failed to give an X-ray diffraction peak in clays of the surface soil, yet infrared absorption, cation exchange capacity, and surface area were similar to that of the parent material. Clays of the parent material (C horizon) and surface soil (A horizon) were studied to determine mineralogical properties. Dioctahedral and trioctahedral minerals were present in both the A and C horizon with dioctahedral predominating. Quantitative estimates of mineral composition were made on the basis of infrared absorption, total potassium, and cation exchange properties. These showed kaolinite, quartz, chlorite, vermiculite, and allophane to be present in addition to mica and montmorillonite. Differences in clay mineral content from the parent material to the surface soil were minor. It was concluded that the most important effect of soil formation on clay mineralogy was a change from relatively pure mineral crystals to particles with several 2:1 minerals in a highly random arrangement of various degrees of interlayer expansion.

¹ Joint contribution from the Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Series no. 943 and Michigan Agr. Exp. Sta. This work was supported in part by regional Research Project W-87, the 12 western states cooperating.

² Plant and Soil Science Dept., Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.

Received for publication December 10, 1968. Accepted for publication March 31, 1969.