Study of Chemical Forms of Fe and Mn in a Soil Catena in Yasouj Region

Iron and manganese oxides as well as hydroxide minerals are among active constituents in soils because they are sensitive to environmental changes and often move frequently along soil profile. Therefore, their chemical forms content and their ratios are used as a soil developmental criterion. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of topography and drainage conditions on chemical forms of Fe and Mn along a soil catena in Dasht-e- Roum plain, in Kohgilouye Province. According to the results, maximum pedogenic Fe and Mn (Fed and Mnd) was found in more stable geomorphic surfaces. Higher values of Fed and Mnd were mostly observed in surface horizons compared to soil depth. Aquic soils exhibited higher contents of poorly crystalline Fe and Mn (Feo and Mno) and higher contents of Fed and Mnd. A significant correlation between clay content and Feo, Mno, Fet and Mnt contents was found. In addition, aquic condition increased Feo/Fed, Mno/Mnd and Mnd/Fed, 3.1, 4.3 and 1.9 times respectively; but decreased the Fe crystallinity index 2.6 times. Aquic soils seem to have more favorable conditions for the formation of pedogenic Mn compared to pedogenic Fe, hence higher content of Mnd/Fed was observed in these soils