Characterization of volcanic ash soils in south-western Tanzania: morphology, physicochemical properties, and classification
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Date
2007-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Study Monographs
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study examined the characteristics of volcanic ash soils in southwestern
Tanzania. Twelve pedons of volcanic origin were studied, and 66 soil samples were analyzed.
Soil morphology revealed volcanic ash layers of varying thicknesses. Most pedons had a dark
thick humus surface and buried A, AB, and BA horizons with melanic indices of 1.7 or less.
Except in two pedons, the NaF pH was 9.4 or more, reflecting an exchange complex domi-
nated by amorphous materials and/or Al–humus complexes. The phospate-retention capacity
ranged from 65 to 100%, except in two pedons, and was positively correlated with NaF pH.
Both Tanzanian and Japanese volcanic ash soils showed comparable ranges of base saturation
(BS) values, but the distribution patterns of BS basic cations, for example, showed some dif-
ferences. Some Tanzanian volcanic ash soils had higher BS values than their Japanese coun-
terparts. While the Japanese soils were generally more calcic and magnesic, the Tanzanian
soils were more potassic and sodic than their counterparts, most likely reflecting lithologi-
cal differences among parent materials in the two study areas. According to the USDA Soil
Taxonomy, nine pedons satisfied the requirements for andic properties and were classified
as Andisols at the order level, whereas according to FAO World Reference Base (WRB) soil
classification, eight pedons were classified as Andosols at the level of reference soil groups.
Description
Keywords
Soil classification, Morphology, Physicochemical characteristics, Volcanic ash soils, Tanzania
Citation
Suppl.34: 39-55, March 2007