Interactive effects of iron oxides and organic matter on charge properties of red soils in Thailand

Iron (Fe) oxides and organic matter (OM) play important roles in maintaining the fertility of highly weathered soils. The main objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of variable surface charge minerals, particularly Fe oxide minerals, and OM on the charge properties of red soils from Thailand. We also evaluated the effect of the 5m NaOH procedure, used to concentrate Fe oxides from soils, on the charge characteristics of Fe oxide concentrates. Fourteen clay fractions (untreated and OM-free clay fractions), and Fe oxide concentrates of these clays, were used in the study. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) and electrophoretic mobility (EM) were measured for the soil clays, artificial mixtures, and goethite adsorbed with humic acid (HA) and phosphate (P). Kaolinite and Fe oxides (predominantly a mixture of hematite and goethite) were the main minerals in the clay fraction. Results indicated that OM or metal–OM complexes may have blocked or neutralised negatively charged sites on clay minerals. After OM removal these sites became accessible, inducing an increase in CEC and shifting the EM values towards more negative values and the isoelectric point (IEP) towards lower pH for many samples. The CEC values of Fe oxide concentrates prepared by 5m NaOH treatment were overestimated and their EM and IEP shifted towards more negative values. It is possible that the amorphous phase from clay dissolution was still present in the Fe oxide concentrates, or the adsorption of silicate ions modified the surfaces of Fe oxides concentrates. Humic acid and P adsorbed on Fe oxide surfaces caused the IEP to shift to lower values. In natural soil conditions, a variety of anions can be adsorbed on Fe oxide surfaces, which might lead to higher values of negative charge and lower IEP than observed for pure synthetic minerals.