Origin and Mineralogy of Nano Clays of Indian Vertisols and Their Implications in Selected Soil Properties

摘要

The mineralogical composition of nano-clays (NCs), and their potential implications in soil bulk properties of Indian Vertisols are unexplored. In this study, we have isolated NCs (60%) in texture, rich in smectite mineral (60-80% in = 0.20) of smectite clays even at the low level of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP <= 5) and a moderate amount of exchangeable magnesium. The report on nano clays (<0.1 mu m) highlights the unique role of nano smectites in some selected soil properties, as well as in the origin of SAT Vertisols of the Indian subcontinent.