Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2019
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of long-term (56 years) liming on changes in soil pH and aluminium (Al) forms in the soil profile compared with an unlimed soil in a sandy moraine loam of a Dystric Glossic Retisol. Long-term liming had a significant influence on soil acidity of the whole profile, causing increased pH values in the following horizons to 120 cm depth: the ploughing horizon (Ahp), where humus accumulates; the eluvial horizon (E), from which clay particles are leached; a horizon having retic properties and predominantly coarser-textured albic material (E/B); and a horizon with retic properties and predominantly finer-textured argic material (B/E). In the solid phase, non-crystalline Al in limed soil decreased in the Ahp horizon; meanwhile a decrease in total organically bound Al (Alp) and organo–Al complexes of low to medium stability was detected in the deeper El and ElBt horizons. High-stability Al complexes with organic matter were the predominant form of Alp in the unlimed and limed whole soil profile. The concentration of total water-soluble Al ranged from 0.61 to 0.80 mg/l in the limed soil profile but 0.62–1.15 mg/l in the unlimed soil. The highest concentration of exchangeable Al was determined in the upper horizons of the unlimed soil profile and the concentration decreased significantly in the same horizons of the limed soil profile. Long-term liming promoted changes in Al compounds throughout the soil profile.
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