Effect of soil colloid mobility on soil water retentivity
https://doi.org/10.26897/0021-342X-2026-2-20-31
Abstract
The colloidal component of soils affects many soil properties, including water retentivity. To reflect the structure of the colloidal component, the term “gel films” was introduced in the 1930s-1950s. A diagnostic property of gels as colloidal systems is their ability to coagulate and peptize – processes that determine the mobility of colloidal particles. The study aimed to investigate the effect of soil gel mobility and their components on soil water retentivity. The research was conducted on samples of grey forest soil and leached chernozem. Soil water retentivity was determined using the equilibrium centrifugation method, while the mobility of colloidal particles was assessed by measuring the optical density of soil extracts. The experimental results showed that soil drying significantly reduces its water retentivity compared to freshly sampled soil. Adding an ammonia water solution to air-dry samples increases the negative charge of humic substances in the soil and enhances their mobility. This is confirmed by an increase in the optical density of soil extracts as the ammonia water solution concentration rises. As the mobility of humic substances increases, soil water retentivity enhances. The findings suggest that water retentivity can be increased not only by adding water-retaining components, but also by using substances that help block soil capillaries.
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Lomonosov Moscow State University (topic No. 122011800459-3 “Soil biomarkers: identification, stability, activity, possibility of use for monitoring”).
About the Authors
I. V. Gorepekin
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ivan V. Gorepekin, CSc (Bio), Research Associate, Faculty of Soil Science
1, Bldg. 12, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991
G. N. Fedotov
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Gennadiy N. Fedotov, DSc (Bio), Leading Research Associate, Faculty of Soil Science
1, Bldg. 12, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991
A. I. Suharev
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexey I. Suharev, student, Faculty of Soil Science
1, Bldg. 12, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991
T. A. Gracheva
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatiana A. Gracheva, CSc (Bio), Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Soil Science
1, Bldg. 12, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991
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Review
For citations:
Gorepekin I.V., Fedotov G.N., Suharev A.I., Gracheva T.A. Effect of soil colloid mobility on soil water retentivity. IZVESTIYA OF TIMIRYAZEV AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY. 2026;(2):20-31. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26897/0021-342X-2026-2-20-31
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