Why is laterite soil highly acidic?

Laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, which leads to leaching of soil. The mechanism of leaching involves acid dissolving the minerals found in the parent rock. They produce a pH value less than 7 hence the soils are acidic.

Why laterite soil is rich in iron and Aluminium?

– This laterite soil is very rich in iron and aluminum. – The mechanism of leaching involves the acid dissolving of the parent lattice, which in turn is formed by the precipitation of insoluble oxides, sulfates of iron, and also the aluminum, under high-temperature condition.

What makes a soil acidic?

Soils tend to become acidic as a result of: (1) rainwater leaching away basic ions (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium); (2) carbon dioxide from decomposing organic matter and root respiration dissolving in soil water to form a weak organic acid; (3) formation of strong organic and inorganic acids, such as nitric …

What is the pH value of the laterite soil?

The subsoil layers of the laterite soil are often very strongly acid (pH 4.5 and less) resulting in solubilisation of exchangeable Al and deficiency of Ca and Mg.

Is laterite soil is acidic in nature?

Complete Step by Step Answer: Laterite soils have been formed in the regions of heavy rainfall due to the leaching process. – Laterite soil is acidic in nature and has less water-retaining capacity.

Why is laterite soil suitable for building purposes?

(i) Laterite soils are used as a building material because they become hard like iron when exposed to air. So, they are used as a building material. These soils are generally coarse in texture and friable and porous in nature.

Is laterite soil acidic in nature?

Why laterite soil is called laterite?

The term laterite is derived from Latin word ‘Later’ which means brick. The laterite soil is rich in aluminum and iron as well as this cemented soil can be easily cut into the bricks. This is why the laterite soil is called laterite.

Is arid soil acidic?

In arid or desert regions, soils are usually alkaline or “sweet”. The degree of acidity or alkalinity of a soil is conveniently expressed in terms of pH values. Thus, a soil with a pH of 4 is 100 times more acid than a soil with a pH of 6 (Black 1957; National Plant Food Institute 1962).

Why laterite soil is not suitable for agriculture?

– Laterite soil is acidic in nature and has less water-retaining capacity. – The soil lacks nitrogen, potash, urea and phosphoric acid and contains more iron, aluminium, manganese making it not fit for cultivation purposes.

Why laterite soil is suitable for cultivation?

It lacks fertility due to a lower base-exchanging capacity and a lower content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, proper irrigation and use of fertilizers make it suitable for growing crops, such as tea, coffee, rubber, cinchona, coconut, etc. It also supports growth of paddy (rice) in low-lying areas.

What are the characteristics of laterite soil?

The laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods, which leads to leaching of soil, leaving only oxides of iron and aluminum. It lacks fertility due to a lower base-exchanging capacity and a lower content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

What are the conditions for the formation of soil oxides?

They are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods. Heavy rainfall promotes leaching (nutrients gets washed away by water) of soil whereby lime and silica are leached away and a soil rich in oxides of iron and aluminium compounds is left behind.

Why is laterite used as a building material?

The soil is one of the important sources for building material, because it can be efficiently cut with a spade but hardens like iron when exposed to air. In laterite areas where a high level of culture once prevailed, ruins often disclose laterite used as a building stone.

What is the cement content of Aviele laterite?

Ten percent and 3\% cement content was added to Aviele laterite soil for the shell and core, respectively. For the purpose of comparison, a set of six specimens of SCBs of the common mix (1:4:2) in Nigeria was also produced for this test.