Calcium sulfate crystallization along citrus root channels in a Florida soil exhibiting acid sulfate properties
The authors observed euhedral crystals in Manatee soil in a citrus grove in St. Lucie County, Florida. The material was identified as gypsum (CaSO/sub 4/ /times/ 2H/sub 2/O) using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectra. Photomicrography and scanning electron microscopy revealed that gypsum accumulated both in old root channels and within citrus root tissue of the Btg horizon. The subsurface horizons had elevated sulfate levels, a low initial pH, a drop (0.5 unit) in pH upon air-drying. Electrical conductivity paralleled the concentration of water-soluble sulfate. High levels of calcium and sulfate occurred for horizons above the water table. This accumulation is attributed to groundwater bearing these ions and subsequently discharging them to the overlying soil. Dead citrus roots appear to act as wicks to aid water transfer from lower to higher horizons. The roots and their empty channels provide spaces in which the gypsum can precipitate if the concentrations of calcium and sulfate in the evaporating groundwater exceed the solubility product of gypsum.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Florida, Gainesville (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5986867
- Journal Information:
- Soil Sci.; (United States), Vol. 145:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GYPSUM
CRYSTALLIZATION
SOILS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CITRUS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FLORIDA
FRUIT TREES
PH VALUE
PHOTOMICROGRAPHY
ROOTS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM SULFATES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FEDERAL REGION IV
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TREES
USA
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)