Relationship between mineralogical composition and physical properties of soils

The results of studies of the mineralogical composition, specific surface, porosity, heat of adsorption, and the surface energy status are presented f or three types of soils in China (Latosol, Red Earth (Krasnozem), and Yello w-Brown Earth). A complex of physical methods (X-ray diffractometry, Mossba uer spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, mercury porosimetry, etc.) was use d. These soils are specified by a high content of nonsilicate crystalline i ron oxide compounds. All soils contain hematite and goethite in clay fracti ons. The content of iron oxides and the hematite/(hematite and goethite) ra tio decrease in the following sequence: Latosol, Red Earth, and Yellow-Brow n Earth.