Name: _________________________________ Date ___________________________

Program/Year/Block: _____________________ Rate: ___________________________

ACTIVITY 1. SOIL COLLOIDS

Procedure:
1. Fill in the blanks regarding characteristic properties of soil colloids.

Soil Colloid Type Name one defining Where in the soil profile What soil order would
characteristic of this will these colloids contain a large amount of
colloid dominate? these colloids?
1. Crystalline silicate clay
(1:1)
2. Crystalline silicate clay
(2:1)
3. Noncrystalline silicate
clay
4. Fe and Al Oxides
5. Humus

2. Describe the major difference between a 1:1 silicate clay and a 2:1 silicate clay.
Soil Chemistry is the branch of soil science that deals with the chemical composition, chemical properties,
and chemical reactions in soil. The soil environment is dynamic and comprised of a heterogeneous mixture
of air, water, and inorganic and organic solids. Soil chemistry is primarily concerned with the chemical
reactions associated with the many phases incorporated within the soil mixture. Soil chemistry is an ever-
expanding field that traditionally focused on chemical reactions that affected plant growth and nutrition, and
has since expanded to include water and soil contaminants and their effects on plants, animals, and
humans. Soil is made up of inorganic and organic assemblages, in the form of solids, liquids, and gases.
Elemental content varies among soil types, however, the elements found in the highest quantities are
typically O, Si, Al, Fe, C, Ca, K, Na, and Mg (in order of highest to lowest natural abundance). Inorganic
components of soil makeup approximately 90% of all solid components, however, soil organic matter (SOM)
still plays a critical role in chemical reactions within the soil. In addition, properties such as size, surface
area, and charge behavior affect the majority of the essential equilibrium and kinetic reactions and
processes which occur in soils (Figure 1). In this lab we will cover important chemical reactions in soil, the
properties that affect chemical reactions in the soil, and how to measure specific chemical properties in
soils.

SOIL COLLOIDS The extremely small, colloidal particles (smaller than 0.002 mm) of clay and humus control
many important chemical and physical properties of the soil. This portion of the soil is often called the "active
fraction", comprised of highly reactive materials with electrically charged surfaces. The small size of colloids
results in a large surface area per unit weight, and their ionic structure results in a net electrical charge. The
type, amount, and mineralogy of colloids will strongly influence most land management decisions. For
example a soil that is 40% of clay that primarily consists of smectite (a 2:1 shrink-swell clay) could have
limitations for constructing roads, or building foundations due to the shifting of the soil as the soil wets and
dries. Such a soil could be highly productive for row crop agriculture though, due to the high amount of
charge that facilitates the retention of nutrients like Ca , K , Mg , etc. On the contrary, a soil such as an
Oxisol that has 80% clay has colloids that are primarily aluminum and iron oxides, which do not shrink or
swell, and have a low amount of charge. Thus, the soil would be well suited for building foundations.

General properties of soil colloids

Size: smaller than what can be seen with a normal light microscope
Surface area: The smaller the size of the soil particles the greater the surface area. Higher surface area
increases the availability of reaction sites for processes such as adsorption, catalysis, precipitation,
microbial colonization, etc. Some colloids may also possess extensive internal surfaces, depending on
crystalline units present.
Surface charge: colloids carry positive and/or negative electrostatic charges, whereby negative charges
typically outweigh positive charges. Charge is sometimes pH dependent. Colloid charge helps to attract or
repulse various substances in the soil solution or environment.

Types of soil colloids

1. Crystalline silicate clays: Clay types vary based on the number and combinations of structural units. The
structural units are characterized by either tetrahedral units (Si ) or octahedral units (Al , Mg , and Fe /Fe )
(Figure 2). Individual units link together to form “sheets” of tightly bound and tightly packed 0-Si-Al atoms,
which combine to form the layers which give the clay its characteristic crystalline structure. The size and
location of layer charge varies due to the process of isomorphic substitution, which occurs in the layered
sheets (Figure 2). Crystalline silicate Clays are typically categorized into two categories: 1) 1:1 clays; and, 2)
2:1 clays.
 1:1 Clays- (i.e. Kaolinite)
 One tetrahedron and one octahedron sheet
 Non-expanding, no shrink-swell action
 Little isomorphic substitution
 Found in highly weathered soils

2:1 Clays- (i.e. smectite, vermiculite, and mica)

 One octahedral sheet between two tetrahedral sheets
 Have a variety of shrink-swell potentials, favoring increased shrink-swell action
 Charge dominated by isomorphic substitution Isomorphic substitution occurs in the… octahedral (smectite),
tetrahedral (mica), and tetrahedral (vermiculite)
Figure 1. "The basic molecular and structural components of silicate clays" (a) (top) Si tetrahedral structure versus,
(bottom) Al, Mn octahedral structure, and b) orientation of tetrahedral and octahedral sheets forming layered
crystalline structure. Adapted from “The Nature and Properties of Soils” Brady and Weil, 2008.

Figure 1. "The basic molecular and structural components of silicate clays" (a) (top) Si tetrahedral structure versus,
(bottom) Al, Mn octahedral structure, and b) orientation of tetrahedral and octahedral sheets forming layered
crystalline structure. Adapted from “The Nature and Properties of Soils” Brady and Weil, 2008.

2. Noncrystalline silicate clays:

These clays also consist of tightly bonded Si-Al-O atoms, oriented into unordered, noncrystalline sheets. They are
characterized by high water holding capacity and extremely high capacities to strongly absorb phosphate and other
anions, particularly under acid conditions. Examples of noncrystalline silicate clays include, allophane and imogolite,
typically found in Andisols, or soils derived from volcanic ash
3. Iron and aluminum oxides: these properties are present in many soils but are highly expressed in highly weathered
soils of warm, humid regions. They consist of either Fe or Al atoms combined with O atoms, with a net charge that
ranges from slightly negative to moderately positive. Examples of iron oxides include crystalline goethite and soil
coatings. Examples of aluminum oxides include crystalline gibbsite and soil coatings.
4. Organic material/humus: Organic colloids or humus, are especially important in the upper portions of a soil profile.
Because these colloids are not mineral material, alternatively, they consist of complex chains and rings of carbon
atoms bonded to H, O, and N. These colloids are often the smallest in size, have a net negative charge that varies
with soil pH, and have a high capacity to absorb water.