Changes of redox and pH conditions in a flooded soil amended with glucose and manganese oxide or iron oxide under laboratory conditions

The changes of Eh and pH in soil suspension (Ah-horizon of a Mollic Gleysol) and Mn2+ or Fe2+ concentrations in the equilibrium soil solution at different levels of glucose (0%, 0.5% and 1%) and MnO2 (0%, 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%) or Fe2O3 (0%, 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%) were examined. It was found that the degree of Mn- and Fe-reduction in soil depends mainly on the presence and the amount of an easily decomposable carbon source and to a minor degree on the content of native or added forms of MnO2 or Fe2O3 in the soil. Theoretical relationships between the water soluble manganese and iron and the Eh and pH values have been verified, when the observed initial drop of Eh was eliminated. It was found that the water soluble manganese content was described best by the Mn2O3/Nn(2+) redox system, and that of iron by Fe-3 (OH)(8)/Fe2+ system.