M. H. Salehi, H. Khademi, M. Karimian Eghbal,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (4-2003)
Abstract
Clay minerals have considerable effects on physico-chemical properties of soils. Using different techniques, mineralogy of silicate clays and their formation were investigated in selected soils from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The study area is about 1300 ha and its soil moisture and temperature regimes are xeric and mesic, respectively. Geomorphologically, the area consists of different landforms including pediments, outwash, hills and piedmont plain. After field and laboratory studies, five representative pedons were selected in previously determined mapping units and samples were taken for the analyses required. Clay particles from two surrounding rock formations and selected soil samples were separated and examined by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction and infrared techniques.
Illite, smectite, chlorite, palygorskite and kaolinite were present in all the soils. Considering the fact that palygorskite was not observed in nearby rock formations, this mineral is probably formed by pedogenic processes. Smectite, on the other hand, has been inherited from parent materials and also transformed from palygorskite. Other minerals had been probably inherited from parent materials. Infrared spectra confirm the X-ray diffraction and submicroscopic results.
Z. Mosleh, M. H. Salehi, M. Rafieiolhossaini,
Volume 18, Issue 68 (9-2014)
Abstract
Many studies have been carried out on pure minerals to study the effect of plant roots on minerals weathering, but information on mineral weathering that normally occurs in different soil fractions is limited. To investigate the effect of
German Chamomile (
Matricaria chamomilla L.) cultivation on mineral weathering of clay and silt fractions in five different soil series amended or not amended (control) with cattle manure, a factorial experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. At harvest time, rhizosphere soil was separated and mineralogical studies were performed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared to before cultivation Results showed that in clay sized particles, trioctahedral chlorite transformed to di-octahedral chlorite while kaolinite disappeared. In silt sized particles, feldspar transformed to amphibole and vice versa The pots amended with manure showed the same changes for clay and silt sized particles as the pots without manure.
