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Cation-exchange Capacity of Clay-rich Soils in Relation to Organic Matter, Mineral Composition, and Surface Area¹

ABSTRACT

Regression analyses were used to correlate organic matter, texture and surface area values to the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of clay-rich soils in the lowlands of Quebec. The Ap, Bg and Cg horizons of 11 Gleysolic soils (Aqu-Suborders) were analyzed for CEC, exchangeable bases and acidity, total and fine clay contents, organic matter, surface area and mineralogical composition. The soils contained illite, chlorite, smectite, and vermiculite in addition to quartz and feldspars. In the Ap horizon, total clay (r = 0.815**) and fine clay (r = 0.841**) contents were better related to CEC than organic matter (r = 0.566**) and surface area (r = 0.570**). In the Bg and Cg horizons, surface area (r = 0.918** and 0.814**) gave the best correlation with CEC. As calculated by multiple regression equations, CEC values of organic matter increased with depth from 56.5 to 223 meq/100 g, while CEC values of total clay decreased from 37.7 to 22.5 meq/100 g and that of fine clay decreased from 57.5 to 50.7 meq/100 g. Variations in the mineralogical composition, although small, were sufficient to explain nearly 50% of the variations in the CEC. Clay mineralogy is important to predict the CEC of such soils where the contribution of clay is 3.5 to 5 times greater than that of organic matter.

¹ Contribution of Agriculture Canada, Sainte-Foy, Quebec. No. 124.

² Research Scientists, Agriculture Canada, 2560 chemin Gomin, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, GIV 2J3, Canada.

Received for publication October 31, 1977. Accepted for publication May 24, 1978.