Potassium and rubidium adsorption and diffusion in soil

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200020008x· OSTI ID:5775600

Baligar, V C; Barber, S A

Uptake of cations by plant roots growing in soil is believed to be influenced by the relative adsorption strengths of cations by soil exchange sites. The adsorption of K and Rb by four soils was investigated to determine the differences in adsorption of K and Rb which may occur and how they are affected by soil properties with the view of using this information to evaluate the uptake mechanisms for K and Rb by plant roots growing in soil. Rubidium was adsorbed preferentially to K by all four soils. Selectivity coefficient k/sub Rb/K/, indicating the size of the effect ranged from 1.9 to 4.4. Adding K decreased k/sub Rb/K/, increased the amount of nonexchangeable Rb, and decreased exchangeable Rb. There was a negative correlation (r/sup 2/ = 0.78) between exchangeable K in the soil and k/sub Rb/K/. The level of K in the soil had a greater effect on k/sub Rb/K/ than varying types of exchange sites present due to differences in clay and amounts of organic matter in the four soils investigated. The size of the selectivity coefficient indicated that the difference between K/Rb ratios in the solution and exchange phases of these soils used and differences between soils made them suitable for use in plant uptake studies of the mechanisms of K and Rb uptake.

• Research Organization: Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN
• OSTI ID: 5775600
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States) Vol. 42:2; ISSN SSSJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTIVITY
ALKALI METALS
CHEMISTRY
DIFFUSION
ELEMENTS
METALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POTASSIUM
ROOT ABSORPTION
ROOTS
RUBIDIUM
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
UPTAKE