Some T2 terrace soils of Peninsular Malaysia: II. mineralogy and Physico-chemical characteristics

The amount of gibbsite in the clay fraction of T2 terrace soils appears to increase with the increase of sand content and with the improvement of drainage conditions. Kaolinite is the main mineral in the clay fraction of soils. The imperfectly and poorly drained ones may also contain some mica, chlorite, mixed layers and feldspar. Anatase accumulates in the silt fraction of the well drained soils. The dominance of 1:1 clay minerals and/or sesquioxides is reflected in their physico-chemical properties. Apparent CEC decreases with a decrease in silt/clay ration. WDC/clay % appears to decrease with an increase in Aland/or organic matter. The ratio also decreases as the pH approaches pH0