Comparative chemical composition of soil and gravel in some oxisols

Abstract

A study was made on the comparative chemical composition of soil and coarse fragment gravel in some Oxisol series identified in different regions in Kerala. The chemical composition of gravel showed a depletion of SiO, and accumulation of constituents especially Fe20s and AI203. Between sesquioxides, accumulation of Fea03 appeared to be more compared to AI203. The mean values for the profiles showed the highest accumulation of Fe203 in Thonnackal series followed by Anjur, Kanjikulam, Mannur and Kootala. High gravel/fine earth ratios of the constituents have been observed for Fe2O3. AI203, MgO, P2O5 and Na20. The gravel from the upper layers of the profile showed accumulation of constituents to a greater extent than the lower layers.