Soil Science Society of America Journal · 1965 · 22 citations · 0 references
Abstract Contrary to the usual generalization that the Ca ion is preferred over the Mg ion in ion exchange sorption by soils and clay minerals, Mg ions were found to be preferred markedly over Ca ions in exchange sorption by vermiculite when the percentage Mg‐saturation exceeded about 30 to 40. This behavior might be expected from consideration of the common occurrence of Mg‐vermiculites in comparison with the commonly wide Ca:Mg ratios of the natural leaching waters which are responsible for the conversion of biotite to vermiculite.