THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL STRUCTURE ON MOVEMENT RATE OF SALTS THROUGH SOILS

Abstract

We determined the relative mobility of Rb+ in four similar soils of different structural types by replicated undisturbed and constructed soil columns (repacked). The soils are designated as Cumulic Haplustolls, fine-loamy, mixed, thermic. The soils have similar mineralogical composition and are classed as sandy clay loams. The structural types of the soils were (1) weak, coarse prismatic; (2) moderate, angular blocky; (3) moderate, medium subangular blocky; and (4) moderate, medium granular. Rubidium concentrations were determined in solutions withdrawn via ceramic cups at different depths and times and in sectioned column extracts at the conclusion of the experiment. The data show that Rb+ moved 1.4 to 1.6 times deeper in the soils with coarse structural units and that there were no significant differences between the soils with medium-sized structural units and the constructed soil columns.