Author
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Goldberg, Sabine |
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Submitted to: Vadose Zone Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2003 Publication Date: 5/20/2004 Citation: Goldberg, S.R. 2004. Modeling boron adsorption isotherms and envelopes using the constant capacitance model. Vadose Zone Journal. v. 3. p. 676-680. Interpretive Summary: Boron is a specifically adsorbing anion that can be detrimental to plants at elevated levels. Detrimental levels can occur because of high levels of boron in the soil solution or from additions of boron via the irrigation water. Adsorption of boron by 22 soils was evaluated and described using a chemical model. Our results will benefit scientists who are developing models of boron movement in arid zone soils. The results can be used to improve predictions of boron behavior in soils and thus aid action and regulatory agencies in the management of soils and waters which contain elevated concentrations of boron. Technical Abstract: Boron adsorption on 23 soil samples belonging to six different soil orders was investigated both as a function of solution B concentration (0-250 g x m -3) and as a function of solution pH (4-11). Boron adsorption exhibited maxima at high solution B concentration. Boron adsorption increased with increasing solution pH, reached a maximum around pH 9, and decreased with further increases in solution pH. The constant capacitance model was able to describe B adsorption on the soil samples as a function of both solution B concentration and solution pH simultaneously by optimizing three surface complexation constants. The ability to describe B adsorption as a function of pH represents an advancement over the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm approaches. Incorporation of these constants into chemical speciation transport models will allow simulation of soil solution B concentrations under diverse environmental and agricultural conditions. |
