Why Does Clay Soil Have Low Cation Exchange Capacity? Mineral and Elemental Composition of Silts and Clays
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28940/terralatinoamericana.v44i.2362Keywords:
low-activity minerals, metal oxides, organo-mineral complexes, soil fertility, weatheringAbstract
Acidic soils in the Mexican tropics, such as those found in Tabasco, are characterized by fine texture and high organic matter content. However, they exhibit low cation exchange capacity (CEC), which limits their agricultural productivity. This study aimed to identify and characterize, for the first time, the mineralogical and elemental composition of the sand, silt, and clay fractions in an acidic alluvial-fluvial soil using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM-STEM). Results revealed that the clay fraction is predominantly composed of kaolinite, with secondary phases of gibbsite, magnetite, and iron and aluminum sesquioxides. These oxides absorb onto kaolinite surfaces, further reducing its CEC. The silt fraction was primarily composed of Al, Si, Fe, and C, with very low concentrations of Ca and Mg, indicating a limited natural nutrient reserve. Notably, small amounts of organic matter were detected in both sand and silt fractions, forming organo-mineral complexes potentially stabilized by interactions with metallic oxides, low pH, and seasonal anoxia associated with high annual rainfall (2600 mm). These findings suggest that the low CEC results not only from the mineralogical composition but also from pedoclimatic conditions that limit the soil’s chemical reactivity. Although these soils are classified as agricultural classes III and IV, their use is restricted mainly to citrus, cassava, pineapple, and forest plantations. This study provides original evidence on the structure–function relationships of fine fractions in acidic tropical soils. It highlights the importance of considering both mineralogy and geochemistry, not just texture, when designing sustainable soil management strategies in environmentally vulnerable regions.
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