Amorphous alumino-silicate materials in a Brazilian hydromorphic lateritic soil

Abstract

Two ancient lateritic soil profiles from Brazil that are now experiencing hydromorphic conditions were investigated by chemical extractions, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, and analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) to identify if the hydromorphic conditions had affected soil minerals. The soils are composed of gibbsite and kaolinite with less quartz, anatase, goethite, pedogenic chlorite, and amorphous alumino-silicate phases. These last 2 constituents occur in the middle and upper horizons of both soil profiles, together with considerable amounts of organic carbon. Analytical TEM showed that the amorphous phases enveloped corroded gibbsite and kaolinite crystals and may indicate the transformation of these minerals to amorphous phases. The amorphous phases have a similar microfabric to that of allophane and ATEM analyses of the amorphous phases gave an Al/Si atom ratio that was always >2, and commonly about 10. These atom ratios are consistent with the bulk chemical results obtained using pyrophosphate, oxalate, and dithionite extractants, but not with the theoretical ratio for allophane. The Al/Si atom ratio of the amorphous phases was related to the Al content of the mineral enveloped by the amorphous phases, i.e. gibbsite or kaolinite. This association supports the interpretation that the amorphous phases formed from the crystalline minerals. The saturated condition of the profiles, together with the high concentration of organic matter in the upper horizons, favours dissolution of the original gibbsite and kaolinite in the laterite and their transformation to amorphous alumino-silicate phases with a high Al content.