THE HYDROMETER METHOD FOR PARTICLE-SIZE ANALYSIS: 2 FACTORS AFFECTING DISPERSIVE PROPERTIES OF GLASSY NA-POLYPHOSPHATE IN CALCAREOUS SALINE SOIL SUSPENSION.

The polyphosphate to soil ratio that yielded stable suspensions required for particle-size analysis of calcareous saline soils depended mainly on the amounts of soluble and exchangeable cations, especially Ca and Mg. Without removing soluble salts and organic matter, 5 g of polyphosphate per 50 g soil per liter of suspension provided stable suspensions for most saline calcareous soils in Imperial Valley. When the excangeable plus soluble Ca and Mg exceeded about 20 me in 50 g soil, then 5 g polyphosphate were not adequate to provide stable suspensions, and excess salts had to be removed. It was possible in some of these latter soils to obtain stable suspension without removing salts by either increasing the dispersant to soil ratio or the pH or both. The reactions of polyphosphate with solid NaCO3 involve mainly surface interactions and hydrolyis of carbonate without any appreciable change in soluble constituents. The polyphosphates do not appreciably change the particle-size distribution of CaCO3 in soils. The reactions of Ca and Mg ions with polyphosphate involve their coordination with the polyphosphate anion to form soluble complexes with reduction in pH. Depending on pH and solute concentration, Ca ions in excess of 5 to 7 me/g polyphosphate initiate breakdown of the soluble complexes and precipitation of Ca-phosphates. No precipitation of Mg complexes occurs under similar conditions. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

  428 East Preston Street
  Baltimore, MD  United States  21202
• Authors:
  • Kaddah, M T
• Publication Date: 1975-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 412-420
• Serial:
  • Soil Science
  • Volume: 120
  • Issue Number: 6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calcareous soils; Calcium; Calcium carbonate; Cations; Chemical compounds; Chemical reactions; Hydrometers; Magnesium; Mechanical stability; pH value; Phosphates; Saline soils; Soils; Suspended sediments
• Uncontrolled Terms: Particle size distribution
• Old TRIS Terms: Complex compounds; Exchangeable cations; Hydrometer method; Soil suspension
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129030
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM