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Red soil chemistry and mineralogy reflect uniform weathering environments in fluvial sediments, Taiwan

  • SOILS, SEC 2 • GLOBAL CHANGE, ENVIRON RISK ASSESS, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

Information on the physicochemical properties, mineral species and micromorphology of lateritic soils and gravel soil layers in paleo-environmental soil profile is severely lacking. Red soil profile of the Taoyuan terrace was employed to demonstrate its different extents of lateritic weathering. The objectives of this study were to compare the physicochemical properties of lateritic soils and gravel soil layers and identify using conventional and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses mineral species in nanoparticles separated by automated ultrafiltration device (AUD) apparatus.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from paleo-environmental lateritic soils. Soil samples were examined using elemental analysis, conventional and synchrotron XRD analyses, high gradient magnetic separation, separation and collection of nanoparticles by AUD apparatus, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results and discussion

The soil pH, redness index, quantities of free Al- and Fe-oxides (Ald and Fed), and clay content of lateritic soils are higher than those of gravel soil layers. Illite, kaolinite, gibbsite, quartz, goethite, and hematite were identified in clay fractions and nanoparticles by conventional and synchrotron XRD analyses. TEM images show presence of hematite nanoparticles on the surface coating of kaolinite nanoparticles and aggregated hematite nanoparticles overlapping the edge of a kaolinite flake in a size range of 4–7 nm. Synchrotron XRD techniques are more straightforward and powerful than conventional XRD with random powder methods for identifying nanoparticles in red soils, particularly for illite, kaolinite, goethite, and hematite nanoparticles. According to chemical compositions of clay fractions and red soil features in the Taoyuan terrace, these red soils can be taken as lateritic red earths or red earths.

Conclusions

This work suggests that physicochemical properties, mineral species, and micromorphology of red soil at all depths can shed light on the extent of paleo-environmental lateritic weathering.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan under grant no. NSC-100-2313-B-002-007 and no. B02 project of the experimental forest, National Taiwan University. We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the late Prof. P.M. Huang, Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, for his valuable advice provided throughout the entire study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Experimental Forest, National Taiwan University, No. 12, Section 1, Chienshan Road, Chushan, Nantou, 55750, Taiwan

    Tsung Ming Tsao

  2. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan

    Yue Ming Chen

  3. Natural Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsinann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, 30076, Taiwan

    Hwo Shuenn Sheu

  4. State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic of China

    Shung Yao Zhuang

  5. Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, No. 2, Lane 109, Huaxin Street, Zhonghe, New Taipei City, 235, Taiwan

    Ping Hua Shao, Hua Wen Chen & Kai Shuan Shea

  6. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan

    Ming Kuang Wang & Kai Yin Chiang

  7. Department of Marine Resource, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70, Lienhai Road, Kaohsiung, 425, Taiwan

    Yen Horng Shau

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  1. Tsung Ming Tsao
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Correspondence to Ming Kuang Wang.

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Tsao, T.M., Chen, Y.M., Sheu, H.S. et al. Red soil chemistry and mineralogy reflect uniform weathering environments in fluvial sediments, Taiwan. J Soils Sediments 12, 1054–1065 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0495-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0495-z

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