Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science and Biochemistry, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, 751003.
Mineralogy of fine sand and clay fractions of an irrigated river flood plain in the eastern coastal region of India was studied using X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, CEC and molar ratios. Fine sand mineralogy indicated dominance of quartz followed by orthoclase, biotite and calcite. Clay minerals constitute smectite, illite and kaolinite with traces of quartz. Dominance of smectite appears to be due to its retention in neutral to alkaline soil reaction and highly saturated Ca and Mg ions.
Soil characteristics, sand mineralogy, clay mineralogy, eastern coastal region of India
