Potassium and magnesium in clay minerals of some Brazilian soils as indicated by A sequential extraction procedure

The total contents of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in selected Brazilian soils (Oxisols, Ultisols, Inceptsols, and Alfisols) developed from different parent materials were investigated to estimate the contribution of clay minerals to K and Mg reserves. Total K and Mg contents in the Na-saturated clay were determined by HF total digestion. The contribution of each mineral species to the total contents of K and Mg, was estimated by a sequential mineral extraction procedure, following the order: Na-saturated clay—1) amorphous aluminum and iron oxides (ammonium oxalate); 2) crystalline iron oxides (dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate); 3) amorphous aluminosilicate and gibbsite (0.5 M NaOH); 4) kaolinite (5 M NaOH); 5) mica (NaHSO4), and 6) feldspar (HF total digestion). In order to monitor mineralogical changes, after each extraction, the samples were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM), differential thermal analysis and thermo-gravimetric analysis. Total amou...