• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2002

Water-dispersible colloids are suspected to facilitate transport of contaminants to groundwater. This study evaluated some soil chemical properties in relation to the stability of colloids in soils of Jeju citrus orchards. Thirty surface soil samples were collected, and pH, organic matter content oxalate-extractable Al and Fe contents, and water-dispersible colloid content were measured. In soils of higher pH, water-dispersible colloid contents were higher. The stability of colloids was found to be significantly promoted at pH above 5$\sim$6. Since organic matter can act as a flocculant organic matter content significantly enhanced the colloid stability. In soils of less than 5% organic C, water-dispersible colloid content was expected to be significantly higher. In soils of higher oxalate-extractable Al and Fe contents, colloids remaining in suspension were lower. This indicated that amorphous oxides and hydroxides play important stabilizing roles in soil structure and can stabilize soil clay against dispersion. Therefore in soils of higher pH, lower organic matter, and lower amorphous clay minerals, the stability of water-dispersible colloids and the potential of colloid-mediated transport of organic chemicals to groundwater could be higher.