Surface charge characteristics and clay mineralogy of some variable charge soils in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Clay mineralogy and charge characteristics of two lowland volcanic ash soils (Andepts or Andisols) and two strongly weathered soils (Oxisols) have been studied. The clay mineralogy of the Oxisols is strongly related to the composition of the parent material, one profile on ultrabasic rocks being dominated by goethite and the other, developed on basaltic rocks, having kaolinite as the major clay mineral. In contrast, the clay minerals of the soils developed on volcanic ash deposits are dominated by hydroxy Al-interlayered vermiculite which, in one soil, is most likely formed as an alteration product of biotite. In the other profile, however, in the absence of mica, the vermiculite may have formed as an alteration product of feldspars. Charge characteristics for each of the four profiles studied show a characteristic set of curves related to organic matter content, clay mineralogy and exchangeable aluminium at low pH. The results clearly show that organic manuring within the root zone and/or rejuvenation of silica-rich ash showers can be very beneficial in retaining the chemical fertility levels of soils that contain both variable and permanent charge colloids.