The influence of organic matter extracted from humified clover on the properties of amorphous aluminosilicates.II. Phosphate retention

Abstract

Freshly formed water soluble organic matter extracted from humified clover leaves was used to treat a range of amorphous aluminosilicates and hydrous alumina. Phosphate retention isotherms were determined on the resulting organomineral complexes. These isotherms revealed the influence of the organic matter on phosphate retention by amorphous aluminosilicates. The organic treatment was found to reduce phosphate retention by hydrous alumina and amorphous synthetic aluminosilicates with high and low Al/(Al+Si) mole ratios. There was no depression of phosphate retention with amorphous aluminosilicates of intermediate composition. Similarly, the phosphate retention capacity of an allophanic soil clay of intermediate Al/(Al+Si) mole ratio was not reduced by organic treatment. These results appear to be related to the degree of polymerization of charge balancing hydroxy-aluminium in the aluminosilicates.