ALLOPHANE AND OTHER AMORPHOUS CONSTITUENTS IN A PODZOL FROM NOVA SCOTIA

Abstract

The major portion of the clay fraction of the B horizons of the Bayswater soil, a podzol from Nova Scotia, consisted of an amorphous component that had the properties of allophane. The X-ray diffraction patterns, the infrared (IR) spectra, the Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) curve, the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) curve and loss in weight data, and the chemical analysis were similar to the data obtained from allophane of volcanic ash origin. The C horizon clay fraction consists of mica, vermiculite, quartz, and feldspar plus a substantial amount of amorphous material. As previously found, the montmorillonite in the Ae horizon showed beidellite-vermiculite-mica characteristics. The B horizon clays contained a small amount of a vermiculite material and an Fe, Al-organic matter complex in addition to the allophane. The data provided evidence that the compositional-depth relations were genetic and that the allophane in the B horizons arose through chemical weathering, physical weathering, and coprecipitation as previously suggested by other workers.