Surface Chemical Properties of Colloids in Main Soils of China

Surface chemical properties of soil colloids are the important factor affecting soil fertility and genesis. To provide scientific basis for soil genetic classification, promotion of soil fertility and reasonable fertilization, the specific surface area and electric charge of soil colloids in relation to clay minerals and organic matter are further discussed on the basis of the results obtained from the studies on surface chemical properties of soil colloids in five main soils of China. Results from the studies show that the effect of clay minerals and organic matter on the surface chemical properties of soil colloids is very complicated because the siloxane surface, hydrated oxide surface and organic matter surface do not exist separately, but they are always mixed together and influenced each other. The understanding of the relationship among clay minerals, organic matter and surface chemical properties of soil colloids depends upon further study of the relevant disciplines of soil science, especially