Increase in cation adsorption induced by surface complexation of sulfate on andisols and prediction by ''Four-plane model''

The ''Four-plane model'' is one of the surface complexation models developed for analyzing the electrostatic charge of synthetic oxides. This model which was applied to the B horizon of Andisols, was equilibrated with an electrolyte solution containing KCl, KNO3, K2SO4 in the concentration range of 0.0033, 0.01, 0.033, 0.1 M, and pH range of 2 to 11. The amounts of NO3-, Cl-, SO42-, and K+ adsorbed were determined from the products remaining in the liquid phase. The increase in the pH value results in the increase of K+ adsorption, and decrease of anion adsorption. The increase in the equilibrium concentration increased both K+ and anion adsorption. The parameters of the model were determined by measurements and the iterative method. The model have a good agreement between calculated and measured values of cation and anion adsorption. Among the anion species, the amount of adsorbed anions was in the order of SO(4)(2-)much greater than Cl->NO3-. The differences in the degree of adsorption were mainly associated with the differences in the equilibrium constants of surface complexation. The surface complexation of the anions produced a negative charge and increased cation adsorption. The degree of surface complexation was most significant in the K2SO4 solution, and the phenomenon was considered to be important not only for anion adsorption but also for cation adsorption on Andisols.